Nha Trang
Nha Trang, sometimes spelt Nhatrang, is Vietnam's most famous seaside resort town, and the scuba diving centre of Vietnam. It's more lively and urban in character than other beach destinations such as Mui Ne and Phu Quoc.
Understand
Traces of human settlement in Nha Trang date back to the Cham Empire, though in times of Vietnamese rule, there wasn't much more here than small fishing villages. The French recognised that this beautiful bay, with its islands and white sand beaches, made for a perfect bathing spot, and began the transformation into a resort town. American soldiers agreed, and Nha Trang became a favourite R&R stop during the war.
After the end of Vietnam war, the Soviet military became increasingly more present in the Cam Ranh Bay, just south of Nha Trang. After retiring, many Russian military personnel settled down in Nha Trang and opened tourism businesses, leading to an increasing influx of Russian tourists to the city, who form nowadays the bulk of foreign tourists - in the main tourism area of Nha Trang, signs in Russian are even more common than in English. In the 21st century, Chinese tourists have become quite common as well, as in the rest of Southeast Asia.
However, Nha Trang is definitely not a Westernized resort town like Kuta in Bali - it is hugely popular among Vietnamese tourists, who go to the beach mainly on early morning and late afternoon, and spend the rest of the day enjoying other attractions including mud baths or Vinpearl Land - dubbed Vietnam's Disneyland, although it's probably more akin to Singapore's Sentosa.
Climate
The monsoon season is from Oct to mid-Dec. Sea winds can be heavy, and sometimes the weather can get pretty chilly. Summer, naturally, brings many vacation goers into town and hotel rooms get somewhat more difficult to find.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR IATA) (30 km south at Cam Ranh). The 4th busiest airport in Vietnam. Opened as a commercial airport in 2004 on the grounds of a former American military airbase, replacing Nha Trang Airport. A new international terminal is less than 5 minutes' walk from the older domestic terminal.
There are lots of domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh, Da Nang, Hanoi, Haiphong, with prices starting at 250,000 dong.
International flights to KL Malaysia (Airasia), Bangkok (BangkokAir, AirAsia), Seoul, South Korea and to cities in China including Hong Kong (via HK Express).
Getting there and away:
- By taxi – The fixed rate from the airport to downtown locations is 250,000 dong. If going by the meter, it will be about 100,000 dong more expensive.
- By bus – The airport bus goes directly to the city center; 65,000 dong, 50-min ride. There are a few companies operating on this route, their buses such as the yellow Đất Mới airport buses (no.18) with 16 seats, can be found just outside opposite front entrance of the airport. They stop at certain major hotels — within the traditional tourist center the usual drop off point is hotel Liberty Central. 2 Đất Mới airport bus terminal is start and end point for this airport bus route number 18. Online maps have this location called Land Transport Corp New. This bus could be used also as an economical way to visit Bai Dai beach.
- By shuttle bus – Some mid-range and upscale hotels organise airport transfers, often for free.
By train
- 3 Railway Station. 1 km north from the city centre.
Nha Trang is a stop on the main railway line connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The journey to Nha Trang from Ho Chi Minh City takes 6-8 hr on SE trains (often delayed), so a sleeper is not really necessary. The scenery on this journey is not that great compared to further north, so you are not missing out too much by travelling overnight.
The distance from HCMC is quite expensive, so better have a stop in Mui Ne (going there by bus) on the way.
By bus
- 4 Central Bus station (Bến xe phía Nam Nha Trang) (7 km west of the city center on the road Hai Mươi Ba Tháng Mười, next to the MM Mega Market. To get to the center, you can take a taxi or motocycle from here or catch the #2 city bus going East on Hai Mươi Ba Tháng Mười road. If you travelled with Phuong Trang (FUTA Bus Lines) you may catch a free shuttle bus which is operated by FUTA to your hotel and if not do not take a taxi parked beside the bus or inside the bus station (there is a gate at the front) and if in doubt ask 1) the FUTA ticket sellers inside the main hall or 2) several completely unrelated people.).
Nearly all long distance sleeper buses stop in Nha Trang. They come from Ho Chi Minh City (10-12 hours, both morning and overnight buses available, both are sleeper buses), Hoi An (12 hours). Besides, there are hourly buses from Da Lat (3-4 hr, hourly between 07:00-15:00) and a couple ones from Qui Nhon (6 hr, 115,000 dong, at 07:30, 08:30, 13:00 and 15:30), Mui Ne (6 hr).
However, tourist (open tour) buses may drop off passengers near the tourist areas.
By car
Private car rental with a driver are usually modern air-con cars and can be rented for about 1,000,000 dong per day. Car rental prices (as mostly anything in Vietnam) usually increase during holiday seasons especially around Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Make sure to avoid high prices by booking it beforehand with the car rental services.
Get around
Orientation
Nha Trang has two main beaches: a larger one south of the Cai river, and a smaller one on the north. The southern beach, lined by the Trần Phú avenue, is by far the most popular among the visitors. Tourism infrastructure catering to foreign tourists, including diving schools, tour agencies, western-style bars and international restaurants and cafes, is mostly concentrated in the southern part of the beach, between Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and the old airport. In the central part of the beach, lie the upmarket international chain hotels such as Sheraton, Novotel and InterContinental. The rest of the beachfront, as well as the northern beach, has infrastructure mostly aimed at Vietnamese tourists. A few blocks far from the beach, Nha Trang is a normal, bustling Vietnamese city.
By motorbike
In Nha Trang, as in the rest of Vietnam, motorbikes are the least safe but most convenient way of going around, especially to go to the beaches and sightseeing spots outside of the city. See the general advice: Vietnam by motorcycle.
By bus
Nha Trang's city bus system is surprisingly useful for travellers that have more time than money. And they can also be used to reach the more further away sights and interesting destination outside of Nha Trang.
Buses are white and blue in color, have air conditioning, Vietnamese music, and are very cheap, typically costing around 10,000 dong. While there is very few information available, online or otherwise, about city buses, there are not many bus routes such that it is relatively easy to understand them. Also, check OpenStreetMap (which is used by this travel guide and apps like OsmAnd, Mapy.cz, Organic Maps and Maps.Me) for bus stops around and in Nha Trang, which often have the bus number in their name and can give you a clue on where the bus route goes along.
In addition, buses are rarely crowded except on peak hours. On the negative side, buses are often infrequent and with limited working hours, drivers and fare collectors seldom speak English, and bus stops are often quite far from each other. Therefore, make sure that you have enough time and patience before going somewhere by bus.
Buses are always paid with cash. Fare collectors can provide you change, but avoid using large bills. As in other cities in Vietnam, buses often do not completely stop to allow people to board, and even when they stop, they will often start moving as soon as the first person climbs the stairs of the bus. Therefore, do not stop or try to pay the fare as soon as you board the bus; instead, find a place to sit or stay and the bus fare collector will walk towards you.
Buses:
- Bus #5 goes mostly along the coast, between Vinpearl cable car in the south and Hòn Xện in the north, good for reaching the Núi Cô Tiên mountain trail.
- Bus #4 is probably the most useful for visitors, as it passes through the main tourist area (between Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and the old airport) as well as many points of interest, including the Vinpearl cable car entrance, the Hòn Chồng promontory, the Po Nagar towers and Nha Trang Cathedral, as well as nearby the Cho Dam Market. Visitors staying in the main tourist area can take the bus at Nguyễn Thiện Thuật.
- Bus #3 also passes through the main tourist area, and can be used to go to Doc Let beach. While this would take at least 90 minutes, it is one of the few ways to go to Doc Let for travellers which do not have their own transportation. If you find a bus stop for the #3 try asking the locals where the bus will stop, since the locations are sometimes merged and aren't where you thought they were.
On foot
Although not as treacherous as in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, walking in Nha Trang is certainly no walk in the park. Zebra crossings are almost meaningless as no vehicle will ever stop for pedestrians crossing the street, and the few traffic lights in the city are systematically ignored. Pavements are often unusable for walking, as they are almost entirely occupied with parked motorcycles, kiosks and restaurant tables, such that pedestrians are expected to walk mostly in the road. See the general advice for crossing the road in Vietnam.
One of the few pleasant places to walk in Nha Trang is the walking path along the beach, which is quite well-maintained and lined with nice gardens, monuments and public places, although sometimes interrupted by motorcycle parking lots.
By taxi
The drivers of Mai Linh (preferably) or Vinasun taxis usually use the meter and do not attempt to cheat on tourists. A ride inside the city of Nha Trang should never cost more than a few dozen thousand dong. On the other hand, going to places outside of Nha Trang by taxi can cost hundreds of thousand dong, and possibly much more if you would like the driver to wait for you to bring you back to the city. See full list taxi Nha Trang
Grab now operates in Nha Trang for car and motorbike taxis via their smart phone app.
By cyclo
A wonderful option for seeing the sites is to hire a cyclo-driver for the day. This runs about US$15 plus tip. All the in-town highlights, the post office, and a choice of restaurants from 08:00-19:00. English skills may be basic. The driver will keep the touts away--a real bonus! It seems all cyclos are electric assist powered now with colourful LED lights at night. More expensive than using taxi cars for short trips.
By bicycle
Nha Trang is quite flat and bicycles can be rented for typically 30,000 to 50,000 dong for one day for a basic no-gears bike if you lucky to find somewhere. Locals on bicycles are more commonly seen at night when its cooler and no sun to burn their skin. However, if you have no experience with Vietnamese traffic, you should think twice about using a bicycle as your main means of transport in Nha Trang. Electric bikes (ebikes) are a common sight in Nha Trang.
See
Temples
- 1 Po Nagar Cham Towers, 2 Thang 4 St. 07:30-17:00. These four brick towers were built by the Cham civilization between the 7th and 12th centuries to honour Yang Ino Po Ngar, mother of the kingdom, and the aroma of incense emanating from within makes it clear that this remains a religious site for the local Buddhists of Nha Trang today. The longevity of these last vestiges of a once-dominant SE Asian civilisation should impress temple enthusiasts even if the insensitive restoration and surrounding mass of tourists don't. The small complex sits on a hill which enjoys views across Nha Trang's fishing village. It is a 20- to 25-min walk (or short motorbike ride) from the main beach strip, however be prepared to wander through the real Nha Trang, quite an abrupt change from the showy built-up beach side resort. Public Bus 4 stops near the Cham Towers. 30,000 dong.
- 2 Long Son Pagoda, 23/10 street. 08:00-17:00. At this pagoda, you will see a 24-m-tall white Buddha. The pagoda was established in 1963 to honour the monks and nuns who died demonstrating against the Diem government. Beware of scammers claiming they are students studying in the temple, demanding that you offer a donation to the school before going up the pagoda. These students have no affiliation with the school and entry to the pagoda is free. Free.
- 3 Nha Tho Nui Cathedral, Thái Nguyên (Taxi, Bike, Grab). On a hill overlooking the city, the cathedral shows the influence of French Catholicism. The Nha Trang area still has a strong Catholic population. There are Catholic shops around the cathedral.
Museums
- 4 Alexandre Yersin Museum, 10 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 58 822355. M-F 07:30-11:30 and 14:00-17:00, Sa 07:30-11:30. This is a scientific museum of Swiss-born Dr. Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943), who arrived in Vietnam in 1891 to study infected animals. He later produced a serum from horses and buffaloes. In this museum, you will be able to view all of his work as well as his equipment. Yersin never went back to Switzerland and spent the rest of his life in Nha Trang. Don’t try to take pictures. Do respect the rules as they're quite serious here. 26,000 dong.
- 5 Khánh Hòa Museum, 16 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 58 3813 654. M W F Su 08:00-11:00, 14:00–17:00. Exhibition presents Cham statues and artifacts of the ethnic minorities of the Nha Trang area. One of the rooms is devoted to Ho Chi Minh and his personal belongings.
- 6 National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, 01 Cau Da (left of the commercial port entrance), ☏ +84 58 590037. 07:00-17:30. This is like an aquarium with popular and rare species of the sea. A good place to bring kids as they will get to see sharks, turtles, coral reefs, lion fish, sea horses, and many other creatures. 40,000 dong.
- 7 Impressions Museum, Buu Doa - 10, ☏ +84 165 232 3028. 09:00-20:00. Not really a museum. 3D art paintings to interact with. Great for selfie addicts, but don't go alone! Ideally go as group of 3 or more. Two is OK, but it will be difficult to take photos of the two of you together. Not easy to find, it's on the other side of the old airport from the main tourist area. Receives mixed reviews, many consider it over-priced. 150,000 dong.
Further afield
- 8 Diên Khánh Citadel, Diên Khánh Townlet (12 km W of city). Citadel was built by French officer Olivier de Puymanel for Nguyễn Ánh in 1793. It housed royal palace, private houses, warehouses and jail. It was fenced by walls of 3.5 m height, surrounded by moats of 4-5 m deep and 10 m wide. It was built with 6 gates, but only 4 of them remain.
- 9 Fairy Spring waterfalls (Suối Tiên) (about 20 km SW of Nha Trang. Go 10 km W of Nha Trang to Diên Khánh, go 5 km through the old Diên Khánh citadel to Diên Phước village, turn left 4 km to Suoi Tien village, then right 1 km to the stream). Fairy Spring is a small, cool stream and swimming hole much visited by local kids on weekends. The swimming hole is at the end of a short jungle walk. It is a pleasant place to visit in summer. In winter the water is too cold to swim. The stream's source is the area of Hồn Bà, the highest peak in the province. Bottled and canned drinks are available, but no food is sold here yet. The area is slowly being developed and will eventually become a resort with a hotel, bungalows, and restaurant. 10,000 dong per person, 3,000 dong per motorbike.
- 10 Ba Ho Waterfalls (near Ba Ho village, approximately 20 km N of Nha Trang). A series of three waterfalls and a fast flowing river tucked away in the forest. There are limited amenities, although you can buy food like rice, chicken, beers and soft drinks. Taxis are available in Nha Trang to take you there, but its not too difficult to find yourself and with good weather it's a pleasant drive, if you are confident on a motorbike. Its a good one hour trip from Nha Trang by motorbike through some rough, off-road tracks (especially in the wet season). The turn off from the main highway north of Nha Trang can be easy to miss (a stone pillar), but most locals along the road should be able to point it out. From the turn off it's a straight track to the river. You may want to bring some sturdy shoes to climb across the rocks and swimming gear for a dip when you get there. It will take about 45 minutes from the entrance of the tourist area to the lakes. There is an orphanage very close to the lakes (take a right turn when you get to a T-junction in the rice fields) that would really benefit from any gifts of vegetarian food (take milk, tofu, yogourt, etc.). Call Dieu An, the nun at +84 90 5823807. She speaks only Vietnamese. Entrance fee 20 000 dong.
- 11 Hon Ba Nature Reserve (64 km away from the city). At the summit of Hon Ba mountain at 1,514 m above sea level.
- 12 Monkey Island (Hon Lao) (20 km N of Nha Trang). Catch a ferry to Monkey Island (the pier is 1 km further north of island), which is full of monkeys, has a 10:00 circus and simple go-cart track.
Do
- Boat cruises – The going rate for a one-day multi-island tour is US$6 per person, with snorkelling, fishing, and many other activities among the possibilities. Tours may provide lunch with drinks on board. Booking agents abound, so compare itineraries to find the best for you.
- Swimming pools. People come here to swim in the sea, but there are also a number of swimming pools. Louisiane Brewhouse has a good one that is free to use. Hiring a soft chaise longue costs 40,000 dong. The Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Hotel coffee shop in Yersin St has a small shady pool for free use. A number of mid-range hotels also have pools, some of which can be used by non-guests. Sea and Sun Hotel has a nice rooftop pool and costs 70,000 dong for non-guests. There is another large public pool at Yersin st, opposite the hospital, for 30,000 dong. Another option is Central Park on Tran Phu, near Louisiane Brewhouse. Buy a deckchair for 60,000 or 120,000 and swim for free. Has a small diving board for kids, a lazy river, and a pool bar.
- 1 Water Puppet Theater, ☏ +84 58 3527 828. Water puppetry is a Vietnamese original folk art that dates back as far as the 11th century when it began in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today's Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition.
- 2 Gyms, 12 Thi Sach St (off Tran Nhat Duat St), ☏ +84 93 2405931. There is a large gym in town called Nha Trang Body Building Club, part of a leisure complex that includes badminton and tennis courts, basketball area and football pitch. Daily pass 20,000 dong; monthly pass, 200,000 dong. Besides, Novotel Hotel also has gym memberships for non-guests, which provide access to the swimming pool, sauna and relaxation room. A daily pass costs 200,000 dong, one-month pass 1,400,000 dong, 3-month pass 2,700,000 dong. Monthly passes include one free massage; ask about this when purchasing. The Sheraton Hotel probably has the best gym in town with excellent views, but costs US$100 for one month, and this doesn't include use of the swimming pool.
- 10 pin bowling. On the 3rd floor of the new Nha Trang Centre shopping and entertainment complex.
Beaches
- 3 Nha Trang Beach. The city's main beach, south of the Cai river, is about 6 km long and lined with a beautiful, well-maintained promenade containing walking paths, gardens, monuments and leisure spaces. The beach itself has a broad strip of sand, and the calm waters are extremely inviting for swimming - but care is needed, as the waters get deep very quickly. While Nha Trang's beach is hardly one of the most beautiful beaches of Southeast Asia, it can still provide one of the best urban beach experiences in the region. You will see many female vendors walking along the beach selling fruit and hot, steamed seafood. Vietnamese typically come to the beach during sunrise and sunset, with the Russians occupying the beach en masse during the peak sunshine hours. Make sure that you visit in the right season. The beach can be disappointing when the weather is grey and the waves choppy. The experience is then one of murky sandy waters, a strip of standard brown sand with a multitude of empty beach chairs and no one to be seen.
- 4 Bai Duong Beach (1.5 km N on Tran Phu St over the main bridge). North of the Cai river, Bai Duong beach is smaller than in the main tourist area. It is a beautiful beach, but the sewage channels make it somewhat less appealing. The beach is mostly popular among Vietnamese visitors, and hence quite empty during peak sunshine hours. Near the beach there are several seafood restaurants catering to Vietnamese tourists. It can be reached using bus #4.
- 5 Hon Chong (1.5 km N on Tran Phu St over the main bridge). Scenic rock formations in the sea. The disposition of the rocks, as well as the sculpture of a giant fist mark in one of them, is mysterious and a source of several folk tales. You can climb the rocks and get some nice views of Bai Doung Beach and the nearby islands. It can be reached using bus #4. Entrance 22,000 dong, including dance performance.
- 6 Hòn Tre island. Has several nice beaches, but almost of all them are of exclusive access to guests of the Vinpearl resorts. The exception is the small beach in front of the Vinpearl Land's waterpark, which is accessible for those who bought a ticket to Vinpearl Land. The beach offers waterports and contains a Russian restaurant.
- 7 Doc Let Beach (around 50 km N of Nha Trang). Located in the Ninh Hòa district north of Nha Trang, Doc Let is a beautiful, long beach with shallow, crystal-clear waters. The water has weak waves, but it is still excellent for swimming. Local fisher families sell and prepare seafood they will cook for you on the beach for a very reasonable price. The southern part of the beach contains the Ninh Hòa fishing village, where the north of the beach contains some relatively inexpensive resorts or it still underdeveloped. The best parts of the beach are the ones in front of the resorts, with the rest unfortunately with a lot of rubbish thrown by locals. You can pay a fee to rent a chair and use the showers/restrooms of White Sand Doclet resort or Paradise resort. Doc Let beach can be reached from Nha Trang using bus #3, by motorbike, and by some day tous generally aimed at Russian visitors. If you are staying in a resort there, the resort may offer you transfer services for a surcharge.
- 8 Long Beach (Bai Dai beach) (on the road to Cam Ranh airport). It's in the Cam Lâm and Cam Ranh districts, 20 km south of Nha Trang. Bai Dai is in the middle of a frenetic process of development, with upscale resorts being built nonstop in the beachfront. Even so, the beach is very long and it is still possible to find yourself alone if you walk enough. It has beautiful blue waters, soft sand and it is pleasant to walk upon as it is less steep than the beach in Nha Trang, but rubbish can also be a problem in areas which are not in the front of resorts. Seafood is served at many shacks with deckchairs right on the beach. Probably best to go by motorcycle. The airport bus number 18 might be another option. Get off by road entrance leading to The Shack Vietnam.
- There are several other beaches in the vicinity of Nha Trang. About 30 km north of Nha Trang, just when past the village of Ninh Hoa, a peninsula juts out into the South China Sea, and on its northern coast is its tinier brother, Hon Khoi. Several resorts are on the eastern beach of Hon Khoi, where you find palm trees, white sand, and turquoise waters. To get there, follow the highway north past the turnoff to Dac Lac Province/Buon Ma Thuot. Then look out for a sign reading "Doc Let-Resort", close to a filling station. A taxi will take 2 people for about 200,000 dong, while a xe om should not be more expensive than 100,000 dong. Or catch a through bus travelling Hwy 1 and get off at the turn off. There will always be some motorbike drivers waiting to take you. Whatever place you choose to go, be sure to reserve a bungalow in advance.
Amusement and mud bath parks
- 9 Vinpearl Amusement Park (Take the cable car). From the harbour you can take the cable car over to the island where Vinpearl Resort and Vinpearl Land are located. They have a small tivoli and some restaurants, attractions here include Underwater World (aquarium), water park with water slides and wave pool, amusement park with roller coaster, pirate ship, bumper cars, cinema, arcade machines and a laser show at night time, usually 19:00. All included in the one price. Adult 600,000 dong; children under 1.4 m tall 450,000 dong; elderly above 60 430,000 dong; children under 1 m: free.
- 10 100 Egg Mud Bath, Nguyen Tat Thanh Blvd., ☏ +84 583711733. Amusement park featuring mud baths, pools, hydrotherapy showers, jacuzzi and a big garden.
- 11 I-Resort, To 19 - Xuan Ngoc - Vinh Ngoc. Offers mud and mineral baths, waterfalls and a lot of pools.
- 12 Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud baths (Suối Nước Nóng Tháp Bà) (4 km NW of Nha Trang). Costs 50,000 dong for the hot swimming pool and waterfall, 100,000 dong for shared mud bath (if you are 5-8 people you will probably get put in the same tub), shower, hot/cold water jets, hot Jacuzzi, and the hot waterfalls and swimming pool. A massage by trained masseuses and entrance to the hot swimming pool costs 150,000 dong. There is also a package for 500,000 which included a massage among other extras. A VIP spa package will cost you US$100 or more. If you carry on a further 500 m past the mud baths you arrive at a railway bridge across the river that connects to a tunnel. It's a very scenic spot that's popular for wedding photo shoots. US$4 mineral pool, US$12.50 mudbath.
- 13 Yang Bay tourist park (40 km west of Nha Trang), ☏ +84-3739-58-387. 07:30 - 17:00. At the Yang Bay waterfalls the Vietnamese have built up a concrete beach, and sort of eco park with a zoo. It used to be a lot nicer before they built it, but it is still a very nice place to visit. You can swim there, and walk around in the area. Just to mention, tourist park receives a lot of negative reviews. adult 100 000 dong, child 70 000 dong.
- Hòn Tằm (Hon Tam Nha Trang), Hon Tam island - Vinh Nguyen ward (By cano every 2 hours.), ☏ +84 2586280222, contact@hontam.com.vn. 08:00 - 16:20. The only mudbath services on island in Vietnam. It takes about 6 minutes from Tam pier to the Hon Tam island by cano. The entrance fee is from 350,000 vnd (15$) for full-package service. 350000.
Diving & snorkeling
Close off-shore from Nha Trang sit a series of islands that offer decent diving and snorkelling, easily accessible by day trip. The city has about two dozen dive shops, making for fierce competition and great value. PADI open water courses with equipment rental are available for US$250. A two-dive boat trip with equipment rental and modest lunch can be had for US$45.
Coastal and undersea construction has stirred up a lot of sediment in the area, so underwater visibility is sometimes not great. The area is heavily fished, so fish life is also limited. You wouldn't cross the world just to dive at Nha Trang. But if you always dreamed of getting a scuba certification, Nha Trang is a good place to do it. The shops generally offer good quality equipment and experienced, certified dive masters. Diving goes on year round, but in the Oct-Dec windy season, the boat ride can be a bit rough and diving is limited to a few sites in the lee of the islands.
Organisation of the Nha Trang dive industry is sometimes complex. If you sign up for a trip with shop A, you might find yourself joined with a group and divemaster from shop B, which shares a boat with another group and divemaster from shop C, the boat itself being independently owned. Consolidation is especially active in the off-season, when few if any shops can fill a boat on their own. It's a good illustration of Vietnamese culture, which does not stand on ceremony, and loves a bargain, and is very skilled at making maximum use of resources. The local divemasters are mostly great, friendly guys with lots of stories to tell.
Other watersports
- 14 Biking and Rafting Tour, 1/12 Tran Quang Khai St, ☏ +84 58 3521541. Combination fast 30-km downhill biking passing through an ethnic village and meeting Raglai people. Then a 12-km rafting trip down the Cai River. From US$45.
- 15 Surfing Shack (The Shack Vietnam), Nguyễn Tất Thành, Khánh Hòa (on Bai Dai beach about 21.6 km south of Nha Trang). Bar, restaurant and surf club/school.
Buy
Money
ATMs are everywhere — see Vietnam#Money for general information.
Shopping
- 1 Central Market (Chợ Xóm Mới). The typical Vietnamese market with fruits, veggies, meat, fish, etc. found in every corner of Vietnam, even though a little more expensive than in other cities.
- 2 Nha Trang Center, 20 Tran Phu (on the main beach road). Shopping and entertainment complex. On the 3rd floor is a multiplex cinema, 10 pin bowling alley, a games arcade and a BBQ Da Lat buffet. On the ground floor are KFC, Texas Chicken and Starbucks Coffee.
- Gold Coast (directly behind Nha Trang Center). Shopping and entertainment complex. The 7th floor is the entertainment level with 10 pin bowling alley, games arcade and Kids Camp. On the 3rd and 4th floors is a large 2 level Lotte Mart supermarket.
- 3 Shop Herman, 142 Ngo Gia Tu (next to small market). Clothes from back home at half the cost.
- 4 Sunsport Sportwear Stores, 97 56A Nguyen Thien Thuat St, ☏ +84 97 7221295. Major brands available: Nike, Adidas, North Face, Speedo, Greg Norman.
- 5 Vincom Plaza, 78-80 Trần Phú. 4-level beachfront shopping complex opened in August 2018 with cinema on the top floor.
- 6 Go! (formerly Big C). Large supermarket on upper floor of big shopping mall, outside the center of town.
- 7 Mini Mart, 27 Biet Thi St. This long established family run corner store is very good value and has an amazing selection of items for such as small shop. They are cheaper that the many A-Marts in the area which are very much aimed at the tourist market and few locals will be seen shopping in them.
- 8 VinCom Plaza, 60 Thai Nguyen (Near the train station). Large Western-style supermarket.
Eat
The local speciality seems to be Bánh Căn, special rice cakes mixed with egg, meat, or seafood — 6 of them go for 25–40,000 dong. But also Bánh Hỏi and Bánh Xèo can be found here and more consistently throughout the day than in Quy Nhon.
Budget
Check out 1 Núi Một nearby the Central Market — this street is spotted with many authentic local and inexpensive eateries with every one offering something different; Bánh Hỏi, snail soup, spring rolls, Cơm Tấm, Pho, drinks and more. Be careful walking this sideroad since many motorbikes take it as a speedy shortcut.
Otherwise many inexpensive places can be found around the Central Market:
- 2 Huyền Hương - Bánh Căn 37 (500 m south of the Central Market), ☏ +84 989511551, +84 913149699. A friendly family serving mixed or pure plates of Bánh Căn with 6 pieces and mango salad at no extra charge. Mixed 25,000 dong; meat 40,000 dong.
- 3 Mê Linh 68 - Bánh Hỏi (500 m southwest of the Central Market). Authentic and inexpensive Bánh Hỏi. 25,000 dong.
- 4 Mì Quảng 82 (right near the Central Market). Daily morning to late noon. Not so authentic dish, but the eatery is very authentic though. 20–25,000 dong.
- 5 Roasted Duck Shop 69, 69 Bạch Đằng. Delicious noodles and roasted duck.
- 6 Bánh Căn Ba Thua, 10A Phan Chu Trinh (off the beaten track in the north of Nha Trang). Good Bánh Căn, a unique taste, special fish cakes and a delicious cake soup.
- 7 Ẩm Thực Chay - Bồ Đề Sao, 11 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng. Great place for vegetarian dishes.
- 8 Phở Bò Hà Nội, 81 Bạch Đằng. Delicious pho and known for their dishes with rice noodles.
Mid-range
- 9 Cheers Sports Pub, 138 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật. Western home style food and big TVs to watch sport events.
- 10 Lac Canh, 11 Hang Ca St, ☏ +84 58 3821391. 07:00-21:00. What’s different about this long established restaurant (25 years) is that you get to cook, yourself, and both locals and tourists seem to love it. It's famous for its thinly sliced beef, marinated in chilli source that you cook with your own mini tabletop BBQ. Large San Miguel bottled beers are served by San Miguel-attired servers for 18,000 dong. 50-250,000 dong.
- 11 Truc Linh 2, Biet Thu St, ☏ +84 58 821259. 07:00-23:00. Asian and Western food. Especially popular for seafood. Truc Linh has been here for years but the original corner one is now the location of a new high rise hotel. US$1-10.
- 12 Nha Trang Seafood, 46 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, ☏ +84 58 822664. 09:30-22:00. Serves fresh and scrumptious seafood. Inexpensive prices and good service. US$2-14.
Splurge
- 13 Louisiane Brewhouse, Lot 29, Tran Phu (S along Tran Phu from the Sailing Club), ☏ +84 58 3521948. 08:00-23:00. Microbrewery with locally brewed beers, restaurant with fresh cakes and tarts, sushi, quality pizzas, steaks, Vietnamese food and seafood. Pool table, live music and own loungers right at the beach or pool available. Chaises longues at either the pool or beach are 40,000 dong per day. Even if you get a chair on the beach, you still have pool access. They have a sampling tray of beer for 100,000 dong. 30,000-600,000 dong.
- 14 Sailing Club, 72 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 58 826528. 07:00-23:00. This restaurant serves Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, and Italian food. Crowded at night, when it turns into bar.
Drink
- 1 Alley Cafe. Closed on Tuesdays. Cheap drinking bar and cafe popular with English-speaking expats.
- 2 Altitude Rooftop Bar (28th floor, Sheraton Hotel), ☏ +84 258 3880000 ext 4407. 17:00-23:00. For a great view of Nha Trang at night, perhaps visit the second highest bar in Nha Trang. Heineken 100,000 dong.
- 3 Skylight Nha Trang (Chef's Club at Skylight), 38 Tran Phu, ☏ +84 2583 528 988, info@skylightnhatrang.com. 09:00–14:00, 16:30–00:00. 360˚ skydeck & rooftop club. Besides, it also features a skywalk, pool deck and an international restaurant - Chef's Club on the 43rd floor. Entrance 50,000-250,000 dong depending on time and day of the week, price includes 1 drink.
- 4 Crazy Kim Bar, 19 Biet Thu St, ☏ +84 58 816072. Closes 01:00. If you are young and wild, this is the place to be. 50,000 dong large beer.
- 5 SinhTo20, 20 Hoang Hoa Tham St, ☏ +84 58 3525870. This place has a very good yoghurt and many kinds of cocktails. Prices are reasonable.
- 6 Why Not Bar, 24 Tran Quang Khai St, ☏ +84 58 811652. Long-running and still one of the most popular late night bars for the young Western backpacker crowd in Nha Trang. It's been transformed into a much more upmarket establishment and is more popular with Asian tourists.
- Sữa hạt Green-T (Sữa hạt), 36/1 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, phường Vĩnh Hòa, thành phố Nha Trang (Đi xe máy), ☏ +84 2582207777, hoangthao54dl@gmail.com. 07:00-21:00. Green T nut milk is made entirely from nature with nuts: Lotus, Walnut, Cashew, Sesame, Almond, bringing the whole thing, suitable for everyone in the family. Green T nut milk is made with all hearts and enthusiasm with the desire to bring quality, complementary and safe products to everyone in the family, especially children and adults. 25000.
Coffee shops
- 7 Alpaca Coffee, 60 Hùng Vương. 08:00-21:30. A small homestyle cafe with a good-quality Italian and Mediterranean food and drinks. They also have vegetarian and healthy food. Located upstairs above the green A-mart store. 20% off drinks when ordered with a meal. Its more of an eating place and often gets full, so the drinks discount is probably there to deter customers just buying drinks only.
- 8 Iced Coffee, Nguyen 31 Huynh Khang St. Coffee shop in similar style to the large chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee, i.e. espresso styles, lots of comfy seating inside and out with upstairs seating too. They also sell cakes and pastries and have a small food menu too.
- 9 Lava Coffee. More of a Vietnamese-style coffee shop but with both comfortable air-con and alfresco dining areas.
Sleep
Budget
There are plenty of budget hotels in Nha Trang with rooms costing around US$20 per night and nearly all are en suite and have the usual air-con, cable TV, fridge, bedside table, wardrobe and night light. Most also have Wi-Fi. "Mini-hotel alley" at 64 Tran Phu is a good place to head for as it has a dozen or so budget hotels located in a relatively quiet alley near the beach and the main tourist area. Hostel dorm beds are available for US$5-7 per night.
- 1 Azura Gold Hotel, 64/2 Tran Phu St. Great new hotel close to the beach, has small pool and gym with massage chair on the 10th floor. 9 floors with 6 rooms per floor and 2 elevators. Wi-Fi and TV in the rooms, some of which have ocean views. Staff speak good English here. $20-25.
- 2 Blue Star Hotel, 1 Biệt Thự, ☏ +84 58 3525 447. Old mini hotel close to the beach. Six floors with an elevator.. Wi-Fi for the rooms, some of which have ocean views. US$15.
- 3 Ha Tram Hotel, 64B/5 Tran Phu, ☏ +84 58 3521819. In mini hotel alley, close to beach and main tourist area in quiet and safe location. All rooms have air-con, en suite with hot water, cable TV, Wi-Fi and fridge. Hotel has 15 rooms on 6 floors and has an elevator. US$10-15.
- 4 Khách Sạn Hồng Hà, 28-30 Thai Nguyen St (Across from Nha Trang Railway Station), ☏ +84 58 3814522. Six floors with elevator. Free and good Wi-Fi for the rooms. Staff sleeping in the lobby for 24/7 access. Sometimes issues with charges for damages to the room that are pre-existing.
- 5 Nha Khach Thai Nguyen Guest House, 18D Yet Kieu, ☏ +84 58 3502130, +84 90 5183038, nguyenduythoai@yahoo.com. Not far from the beach, the owner is a nice and friendly woman. While you stay there she will make you feel at home, if you want to share local life. Free coffee, free Wi-Fi and cable TV.
- 6 Nha Trang Hotel, 127 Thong Nhat St, ☏ +84 58 3820476. From US$10.
- 7 Nha Trang Inn & Suites, 15B Nguyen Chanh, ☏ +84 91 5576211. Elevator, free Wi-Fi, free HBO in every rooms. Conveniently close to the bus stations Phuong Nam and Phuong Trang so can transit easily to other city. The manager speaks English and Czech. This place has changed its name in 2015. US$10-15.
- 8 Pho Bien Hotel, 64/1 Tran Phu, ☏ +84 58 3524858. Renovated in 2014, in mini hotel, all 19 private rooms have air-con, en suite, cable TV, fridge and Wi-Fi. This place is clean and has a terrific location. Room 503 (double) has a big balcony with fabulous sea views. They also have a dorm room with 2 separate bathrooms and adjacent rooftop terrace with sea views. US$5-20.
- 9 La Suisse Hotel, 34 Tran Quang Khai St, ☏ +84 58 3524353, info@lasuissehotel.com. It has Internet access including Wi-Fi in all rooms and three computers in the reception area. They have an elevator. Free breakfast included in their rooftop lounge. Free pick up from train and bus stations with own minivan. US$13-40.
- 10 Sami Hotel, 34/4 Nguyen Thien Thuat, ☏ +84 778508948, samihotel.nhatrang@gmail.com. Mini hotel refurbished in 2019, has 15 en-suite rooms with air-con, cable TV, wifi, fridge and telephone. US$10-15.
- 11 Thanh Ngoc 2, 14 Tue Tinh, ☏ +84 58 517759. All rooms equipped with TV, air-con and spacious beds. From US$10.
- 12 Truong Giang hotel, 3/8 Tran Quang Khai, ☏ +84 58 3522125, truonggianghotel@gmail.com. A budget hotel with essential amenities and facilities. Quiet and clean. US$12-20.
Mid-range
- 13 Cozy Condos and Apartments, 6C Hem Tue Tinh, ☏ +84 58 3521001. For those who prefer a cosy home to a hotel room, this is the place to stay. Close to city centre and beach, quiet and safe location (near Military Hospital). Single rooms with large double beds, living room, kitchen and balcony. Fully equipped, including large refrigerator, oven, micro wave oven, kitchenware, in-room safe, washing machine with separate drying area. etc. Wi-Fi, domestic phone calls and international TV channels free of charge. 24-hour security, guarded parking lot, elevator, café bar on top of building. $20-25.
- 14 Nha Trang Lodge Hotel, 42 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 58 810500. Most rooms overlook the beach giving you an extraordinary sea views. Rooms are equipped with phones, satellite TV, a minibar, etc. Service is great. US$50-170.
- 15 Que Huong Hotel, 60 Tran Phu Blvd, ☏ +84 58 825047. Within walking distance of the beach. There is a nice restaurant accompanied by a pool hall and disco. Great amenities offered as well as the services. Average quality as per internet reviews. US$55-105.
- 16 Starlet Hotel, 32-34 Tue Tinh (Down Tue Tinh, just before the Hospital on the left). Check-out: 12:00. This place has a bit of a business feel, but its very clean rooms have classy, attractive decor, if lacking a bit in character. Many of the rooms offer balconies with fantastic city and sea views, its location is great, and the included breakfast buffet is nothing to turn your nose up at. There is free Wi-Fi in the rooms, a good selection of reasonably priced room service, and it has a pool and gym. The staff is very friendly, and you can change foreign currency at the front desk at decent rates. US$30-50.
- 17 Vien Dong Hotel, 1 Tran Hung Dao St, ☏ +84 58 821606. Well-known and affordable, with all the basic amenities needed plus some live entertainment at night. US$40-45.
- 18 Citadines Bayfront Nha Trang (62 Tran Phu), ☏ +84 258 351 7222, enquiry.nhatrang@the-ascott.com. Offers 310 studio and one-bedroom apartments. The property has a restaurant and bar, outdoor swimming pool, gym and yoga room.
Splurge
- 19 Evason Ana Mandara & Six Senses Spa, Tran Phu Blvd, ☏ +84 58 3522222. If you don’t mind the price, this is the spot to go all out and get the once-in-a-lifetime royal treatment. US$210-450.
- 20 Diamond Bay Resort & Spa Nha Trang, Diamond Bay, Song Lo, ☏ +84 58 711711. This extremely spaciously laid-out resort hosted the 2008 Miss Universe pageant. Hotel rooms, suites and villas. Enormous pool (non-chlorinated) spa, fitness, several restaurants & bars, tennis, expatriate chef and expatriate GM. Two private beaches. US$125-600.
- 21 Novotel, 50 Tran Phu, ☏ +84 58 6256928. Luxury hotel. Awesome staff, food, room, Internet. Small pool, but the ocean is less than 100 m away. US$105.
- 22 Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa, 26-28 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 2583880000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury hotel with swimming pool, gym and open air bar on 28th floor with great views across Nha Trang beachfront. From 3,000,000 dong.
- 23 Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa, 12 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 58 920999. This resort is all polished marble and white columns with 10 floors. It has a great view of ocean-side as well as the sky from its glass rooftop. US$120-500.
- 24 Vinpearl Resort (On an island in Nha Trang Bay. You can get there by cable car). Luxury hotel with the biggest pool in Vietnam. Guests have unlimited access to the water park. US$200-500.
- 25 Yasaka Saigon-NhaTrang Hotel, 18 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 58 820090. Japanese/Vietnamese hotel. Service here is very friendly, and it has all the amenities you would need. It is just walking distance to the beach. US$100-355.
- 26 Liberty Central. 4-star modern hotel with 227 guest rooms over 20 floors with sea views. Has a good buffer breakfast for 180k dong.
Resorts outside of town
About 60km north of Nha Trang is a stretch of coastline about 20 km long that contains some of the best beaches in Vietnam. Soft power like white sand beaches with clear blue sea and gentle gradients, these beaches are more beautiful and easier for swimming than in Nha Trang. This is an ideal area to explore by motorbike, perhaps taking a night or two side trip from Nha Trang city. The turn off for Jungle Beach gets you off the busy highway for a more relaxing 20 km stretch of road to Jungle Beach Resort. Just after this turn off for Jungle Beach is the turn off for Doc Let Beach, which is another 13 km away and a similarly more relaxing and scenic road. There is an interconnecting road between Jungle and Doc Let so no need to go all the way back to the highway to get from one to the other.
- 27 Doc Let Beach Resort (Sign-posted), ☏ +84 58 3849663. The best-known place and closest to the mainland. Though it started out as a traveller's secret, it quickly became a destination for domestic tourists, especially during weekends and holidays. If you take a Vietnamese partner, they won't let you stay in the same room unless you can prove you are married. 250,000-420,000 dong depending on how close to the beach they are.
- 28 Jungle Beach Resort (64 km N of Nha Trang, 15 km S of Doc Let Beach), ☏ +84 58 3622384, syl@dng.vnn.vn. Run by a Canadian-Vietnamese couple, all meals are included. If you are looking for a beautiful beach in a very remote and quiet location then this could be your paradise. Keep in mind that they don't have hot water here. This resort also charges US$20 for transportation each way. Extra drinks will cost from 15,000-20,000 dong. US$25 including meals for rooms with shared bath; US$35 including meals for rooms with a private bath.
- 29 Paradise Resort, Nha Nhi Thien Duong (Heading N, follow the signs from Doc Let Resort through Dong Hai village), ☏ +84 58 670480, fax: +84 58 670479, paradise_doclech@hotmail.com. Run by an elderly gentleman and his Vietnamese family. Vladimir is a very interesting, jovial guy and his family cooks up wonderful food. Beer is cheap, and you just mark a chit on a sheet on the refrigerator to keep track of your total. The beach in front is beautiful and usually deserted except for some village children. It is very easy to sleep a week away there in a hammock kissed by sea breezes. There is usually various travellers there to socialise with at meals and in the evenings. You can rent a motorbike in Nha Trang for the easy ride up to Doc Let. Any buses can also drop you on the main road for a 10 minute walk to Paradise. Vladimir will also drop you in Nha Trang on the back of his scooter if he's going into town. He usually drives his car into Nha Trang on Saturdays so could be a good day to arrive or leave and get a free trip in or out. Bungalows are US$45 for 2 people, US$25 for one. Meals included, and prices for drinks are reasonable. Water, fruits, coffee and tea are free..
- 30 White Sand Doclet Resort & Spa, ☏ +84 58 35129771. Adjacent to Doc Let Resort is this more upmarket resort with private beach, large swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurant. From US$100.
- 31 Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (By speed boat to Ninh Van Bay), ☏ +84 58 3728222. Private resort, suitable for whomever wants to get away from everything. US$600-1255.
- 32 Memento Resort, 15 Le Chan St (in the countryside around 15 km W of Nha Trang). In the middle of the rice fields you will find this little family-owned resort. If you like a traquil place and want to enjoy the countryside, then this is the place for you. They also have a swimming pool. Based on reviews, people in general like this place. US$30-35.
Stay safe
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Note: While quite safe during the day. At night Nha Trang is extremely rampant for theft and pick pocketing of tourists leaving the bars or just walking around late at night. Travelers should leave all valuables at their hotel room, including cell phones and cameras which are targeted the most. Unless you are willing to lose it, you shouldn't bring it out to the bars. |
The risk of petty crime in Nha Trang, especially late at night, is high compared to most other places in Asia. The most common crime is pick pocketing after midnight near the Sailing Club. During the day, it is relatively safe though bag snatching on the beach is not uncommon, so don't take any valuables to the beach. Staying cautious at all times is best. Do not wear too much jewellery, and keep an eye on your belongings. It would be smart to travel in groups when you are out roaming the streets at night. Also, people coming home from the clubs should take a taxi and not a motorbike taxi. Single males walking back to their hotels in the early hours from clubs and bars such as the Sailing Club and Why Not Bar, especially if a little drunk, should beware of ladies approaching, typically in twos or threes, but often with a couple of guys on motorbikes watching closely from a distance ready to be get-away drivers or to get involved if things get nasty. They come over all friendly and touchy-feely, first checking to see what valuables you have and where, then relieve you of them. Often the victim doesn't even know he's been robbed until he gets back to his room or after he wakes up. This is almost becoming a tourist attraction in the sense you can watch this spectacle almost nightly, perhaps helping out a fellow drunken tourist being robbed. Unbelievably, no police are seen, and no hotel or bar security gets involved.
Do not keep money in your passport. If you want your hotel to lock up your money, they will usually be happy to do so in their hotel safe and have procedures for doing that. Passports are kept separate from other valuables as they need access to these for reporting each day your stay to the government. Better than giving the passport to the hotel is handing over a photocopy (personal data page and visa). It is never a good idea to give your passport to anyone other than officials. Never store money in your passport. Keep some money in a different pocket to your wallet/money belt. No point in displaying it when paying for small purchases.
Drive-by motorcycle theft is fairly common in Nha Trang. Banknotes and wallets have been snatched from tourists' hands.
If hiring a motorbike, check what coverage your insurance company gives for riding motorbikes in Asia, and it is frequently none.
Do not argue with locals who try to hustle money from you. This includes tourist touts, moto taxis, etc. They can become violent and aggressive easily, often resorting to the use of rocks or even concealed weapons. Although they can be a bit harder to get rid of than in other places, it is best to avoid these people altogether.
There was one negative report about TM Brothers buses. It's claimed, that they have a bad reputation, and some of the seats are broken and you can find cockroaches on the bus. However, their buses are usually a few dollars cheaper than other companies.
Connect
Internet access can be found in many hotels. There are not that many Internet cafes around now as most hotels typically have computers available for free use by guests or Wi-Fi.
When using the telephone at a hotel be sure to check their rates. Skype or Google Hangouts is free or low cost.
Mobile SIM cards are readily available, mobifone seems the best option for tourists. Their SIM cards cost 50,000 dong or a little more depending where you buy it and come with about 100,000 dong credit for use in the first month. They also provide 3G Internet data packages, e.g., 1.5 Gb for one month costs 120,000 dong. Cellular Data info: APN: m-wap Username: mms Password: mms
Go next
- Dalat – The old French hill-station with "eternal" spring climate and many nearby attractions easily explored by motorbike.
- Quy Nhon – The inexpensive and tourist-free alternative to Da Nang (just beyond Hoi An), yet off many people's radar and therefore still a tranquil and authentic, lively and pleasant city with a much (among the locals) hyped beach, half way between Nha Trang and Hoi An.
- Hoi An – A well-preserved ancient port and tourist hotspot, near the ruins of My Son.
- Mui Ne – A nice resort area in close reach of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam's largest city, a lively and modern Asian city.