You can’t miss the ‘Big Smoke’ coastal city of Nha Trang on your next visit to Vietnam. There are many awesome things to do in Nha Trang that are suitable for all kinds of travelers.
Nha Trang is famous for its long stretch of white sand beaches, reputable diving sites, ancient Buddhist temples and offshore islands!
I have put together this complete guide of 3 Best Things To Do In Nha Trang to help you plan your trip!
Also in this Nha Trang Travel Guide, I have included some useful information on how to get to Nha Trang, where to stay in Nha Trang and the best time to visit!
Have you got travel insurance for Vietnam? I know that nobody likes to talk about this stuff but accidents can happen and having World Nomads Insurance can save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
WHERE IS NHA TRANG & HOW TO GET THERE
Nha Trang is located on the South-Eastern coastline of Vietnam.
Domestic flights operate daily in and out of Cam Ranh International airport from Hanoi, Dan Nang and Ho Chi Minh. I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights as they always have the best prices.
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From Cam Ranh Airport you will have to take a 1-hour taxi ride north to Nha Trang for approximately $10.
Alternatively, from Ho Chi Minh City you can take a 7-hour train which costs approximately 360,000 dong or you can take a 9-hour bus which costs approximately 200,000 dong.
Search All ∼ Buses & Trains to Nha Trang
Nha Trang Vietnam
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO IN NHA TRANG
LONG SON PAGODA – BIG BUDDHA STATUE
The Long Son Pagoda, also known as Chua Long Son, is a sacred Buddhist Temple on the foothill of Trai Thuy Mountain.
Long Son Pagoda is one of the top things to do in Nha Trang City and it is most famous for the large white Buddha statue that can be seen from almost everywhere in town.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
The Long Son Pagoda boasts beautiful Taoist architecture and stone carvings of mythical animals and sculptures of Taoist gods.
You will also find a large reclining Buddha statue on the 2nd level of the Chua Linh Phong temple grounds. Magnificent stone carvings and frangipani trees compliment the reclining Buddha.
To enter inside the temples you are required to wear appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders and thighs. Footwear is also to be removed before setting foot inside the temples.
The entrance fee to The Long Son Pagoda is FREE and opening hours are Monday – Sunday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Big Buddha Nha Trang – What to do in Nha Trang
Chua Linh Phong Temple – Things to do in Nha Trang
Magnificient Taoist architecture
THÁP BÀ PO NAGAR – CHAM TOWERS NHA TRANG
A visit to the Po Nagar Cham Towers was one of my favorite things to do in Nha Trang. The Cham Towers were built in medieval times, somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries.
Commonly known as Tháp Bà, the Po Nagar Cham Towers are still actively used for worship by the Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists.
Cham is an ancient civilization that was influential in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia. The Cham ruled Vietnam for 10 centuries, their unmistakable architecture and art style has spread widely across the country.
There are 4 towers inside the complex, the largest one standing 28 meters high. The Po Nagar Cham Towers was constructed in honor of Yang Ino Po Nagar, the goddess of the Dua (Liu) clan, which ruled over the southern part of the Cham kingdom.
The entrance fee to the Po Nagar Cham Towers is 22,000 dong and opening hours are Monday – Sunday from 7:00am to 7:00pm.
Must Read → 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
Po Nagar Cham Towers
A stone cauldron at Cham Towers
Tháp Bà Po Nagar complex – Things to do in Nha Trang
NHA TRANG BEACH
Who doesn’t love a beach day?! One of the best things to do in Nha Trang is to head to the beach for some fun in the sun. Nha Trang beach is rated number 29 of the most beautiful bays in the world – ultimate postcard material.
Head on down to famous esplanade resort strip along Nha Trang Bay and pick a spot under a shady palm tree to perch up for the day.
Along Nha Trang beach you can find a number of restaurants, cafes, bars and water sports activities to keep you happy and entertained.
The best time to visit Nha Trang beach is early morning and late afternoon to avoid the tourist crowds and the blazing midday heat.
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The Esplanade – Nha Trang Beach
Nha Trang Beach – Things to do in Nha Trang
WHERE TO STAY IN NHA TRANG
Nha Trang has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Nha Trang to suit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers. See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: InterContinental Nha Trang
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Mid Range: Happy Light Hotel
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Budget: iFriends Hostel
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FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN NHA TRANG, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
BEST TIME TO VISIT NHA TRANG
The best time to visit Nha Trang is between the summer months of January to August. Try to avoid the wet season which is typically September though to December.
MAP OF NHA TRANG
BEST VIETNAM TOURS
AIRBNB NHA TRANG
Another option for accommodation in Nha Trang is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals.
WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE
LONELY PLANET – VIETNAM
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Vietnam Travel Guide!
BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET VIETNAM
MORE VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDES
Vietnam Travel Guide: 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh City Guide: 7 Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh
Nha Trang Travel Guide: 3 Things To Do In Nha Trang
Hoi An Travel Guide: 4 Things To Do In Hoi An
Ninh Binh Travel Guide: 3 Things To Do In Ninh Binh
Da Nang Travel Guide: Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills
Cam Ranh Travel Guide: Things To Do In Cam Ranh
Ha Giang Travel Guide: 3 Day Ha Giang Loop Adventure
JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
Do you have any questions about things to do in Nha Trang?
Join my Facebook Travel Tribe and send a message at any time for a quick response!
WHAT TO PACK FOR NHA TRANG
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
Do you want to travel full-time and get paid along the way?
Teaching English online is one of the easiest and most flexible jobs out there! Become a Digital Nomad, choose your own hours and work remotely from anywhere in the world by teaching English online. All you need is a laptop, good WiFi connection, a TEFL certificate and you’re good to go!
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF THINGS TO DO IN NHA TRANG
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and if you have any questions about the Top 3 Things To Do In Nha Trang please drop me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Adventuring!
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Hey, I’m Jonny – surfer, skater, photographer, and coffee-lover from Australia!
With a burning passion for travel and the outdoors, I launched this Adventure Travel Blog in 2017, and I’ve been exploring the world ever since!
My little corner of the interwebs is a space where I love to share all of my epic adventures, cultural experiences, and captivating photos from around the globe with the ultimate goal to inspire and motivate other like-minded travelers to explore this wonderful earth too!
