Nha Trang

Nha Trang is Vietnam's most famous seaside resort town and the country's scuba diving centre. Traces of human settlement date back to the Cham Empire, though for much of Vietnamese rule it was little more than small fishing villages. The French recognised the beauty of the bay with its islands and white sand beaches and began transforming it into a resort town. American soldiers later made Nha Trang a favourite R&R destination during the Vietnam War. After the war, Soviet military personnel settled in the area and opened tourism businesses, leading to a large Russian expat community — signs in Russian are even more common than in English in the main tourist area. Chinese tourists have also become common in the 21st century. Nha Trang is hugely popular among domestic Vietnamese tourists too, who come for the beach in the early morning and late afternoon, and spend the rest of the day at attractions like mud baths and Vinpearl Land.

The monsoon season runs from October to mid-December, when sea winds can be heavy and the weather can get chilly. Summer brings the most visitors. Nha Trang has two main beaches: a larger one south of the Cai River lined by Trần Phú avenue (the most popular with foreign tourists), and a smaller one to the north. Tourism infrastructure — diving schools, tour agencies, Western-style bars and international restaurants — is concentrated in the southern part of the beach, between Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and the old airport. The central beachfront hosts upmarket international chain hotels such as Sheraton, Novotel and InterContinental.

By Plane

Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR IATA), 30 km south at Cam Ranh, is the 4th busiest airport in Vietnam. It 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 within 5 minutes' walk of the older domestic terminal. Domestic flights arrive from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Haiphong, and Vinh with prices from 250,000 dong. International flights connect to Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia), Bangkok (Bangkok Air, AirAsia), Seoul, and cities in China including Hong Kong (HK Express). The fixed taxi fare from the airport to downtown is 250,000 dong (by meter about 100,000 dong more). An airport bus (the yellow Đất Mới bus No. 18) goes directly to the city centre for 65,000 dong, a 50-min ride. Some mid-range and upscale hotels offer free airport transfers.

By Train

Nha Trang Railway Station is 1 km north of the city centre. It is a stop on the main Reunification Express line connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City takes 6-8 hours on SE trains (often delayed); a sleeper is not really necessary for this stretch. The scenery on this route is not as dramatic as further north.

By Car / Road

Nearly all long-distance sleeper buses stop at the Central Bus Station (Bến xe phía Nam Nha Trang), 7 km west of the city centre on Hai Mươi Ba Tháng Mười road. Buses arrive from Ho Chi Minh City (10-12 hours), Hoi An (12 hours), Da Lat (3-4 hours, hourly 07:00-15:00), Qui Nhon (6 hours, 115,000 dong), and Mui Ne (6 hours). Private car rental with a driver costs about 1,000,000 dong per day. Tourist open-tour buses may drop passengers near the tourist areas.

Motorbikes are the most convenient but least safe way to get around, especially for sights outside the city. The city bus system is useful for travellers with more time than money — buses are white and blue, air-conditioned, and cost around 10,000 dong. Bus No. 4 is the most useful for visitors, passing through the main tourist area, Vinpearl cable car entrance, Hòn Chồng promontory, Po Nagar towers, and Nha Trang Cathedral. Bus No. 3 goes to Doc Let beach. Bus No. 5 runs along the coast between the Vinpearl cable car and Hòn Xện. Mai Linh and Vinasun taxis are reliable and use meters — rides within the city should not exceed a few dozen thousand dong. Grab ride-hailing is widely available for both cars and motorbikes. Walking is possible along the beachfront promenade, though pavements are often occupied by parked motorcycles and restaurant tables. Cyclos can be hired for the day for about US$15 plus tip.

• Po Nagar Cham Towers — A complex of ancient Cham temples dating from the 7th–12th centuries, dedicated to the goddess Yan Po Nagar. Located on a hill north of the city centre. Entry about 30,000 dong.

• Nha Trang Cathedral — A striking stone Catholic cathedral built in the French Gothic style, perched on a hill overlooking the city. Free entry.

• Long Son Pagoda — A Buddhist temple with a giant white Buddha statue visible from much of the city. Free entry.

• National Oceanographic Museum — Housed in a French colonial building, featuring a large collection of marine life from the South China Sea. Entry about 40,000 dong.

• Hòn Chồng Promontory — A scenic rocky outcrop with views of the coastline and offshore islands.

• Bảo Đại Villas — Summer villas built for the last emperor of Vietnam, now a hotel and museum showcasing 1930s architecture.

• Scuba diving and snorkelling — Nha Trang is Vietnam's scuba diving centre, with numerous dive shops offering courses, day trips, and equipment rental for exploring offshore reefs and islands including Hòn Mun Marine Protected Area.

• Mud baths — The Tháp Bà and 100!Egg Mud Bath resorts offer therapeutic mineral mud baths in lush garden settings.

• Vinpearl Land — An amusement park on Hòn Tre Island, accessible via a 3.3 km cable car over the sea. Features a water park, aquarium, roller coasters, and shows.

• Island hopping — Day trips by boat to the nearby islands of Hòn Mun, Hòn Tằm, and Hòn Miễu for swimming, snorkelling, and seafood lunches.

• Beach activities — Jet-skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, and beach volleyball along Trần Phú beach.

• Visiting the Dam Market — A bustling local market good for photography, souvenirs, and sampling Vietnamese street food.

• Bún chả cá — Nha Trang's signature dish: rice vermicelli noodle soup with fish cakes in a light, fragrant broth. Try at Bún Chả Cá Hòn Chồng (budget).
• Bánh xèo — Crispy Vietnamese savoury pancakes filled with shrimp, bean sprouts, and herbs. Available at street stalls across the city.
• Nem nướng Nha Trang — Grilled pork skewers, a local speciality, served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce. Try at Nem Nướng Đặng Văn Quyên (mid-range).
• Lẩu hải sản — Seafood hotpot, perfect for sharing. Many restaurants along the beachfront serve this.
• Yến sào (bird's nest soup) — A delicacy made from swiftlet nests harvested from local caves, available at upscale restaurants.
• Vegetarian options are available at Buddhist restaurants and Chinese-Vietnamese eateries throughout the city.

• Bia Saigon and Bia Hà Nội — The most common local beers, served everywhere from street-side bia hơi joints to upscale bars.
• Cà phê sữa đá — Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk, available at countless cafés.
• Nước mía — Fresh sugarcane juice, sold by street vendors for around 5,000-10,000 dong.
• Sinh tố — Vietnamese fruit shakes (avocado, durian, mango, dragon fruit) blended with milk or yoghurt.
• Sailing Club Nha Trang — The most famous beachfront bar, with a lively atmosphere and regular events.
• Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or boiled water.

• Budget: Mây Hotel (dorm beds from 100,000 dong) or The Emperor Sleep (private rooms from 200,000 dong), both central.
• Mid-range: Liberty Central Nha Trang (from 800,000 dong) with beach views and rooftop pool; Novotel Nha Trang (from 1,500,000 dong) on the beachfront.
• Upscale: Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa (from 2,500,000 dong) and InterContinental Nha Trang (from 3,000,000 dong), both offering full service, sea views, and multiple restaurants.

• Chợ Đầm (Dam Market) — Nha Trang's largest market, selling everything from fresh seafood and dried squid to clothing, souvenirs, and local handicrafts. Bargaining is expected.
• Xóm Mới Market — A local wet market for fresh produce, spices, and Vietnamese ingredients.
• Night market — Along the Trần Phú beachfront, open in the evenings selling souvenirs, clothing, and street food.
• Local specialties — Dried squid, fish sauce (nước mắm), sea salt products, and jewellery made from coral and seashells.

• Cam Ranh (30 km south) — Home to Cam Ranh International Airport and the long white sands of Bãi Dài beach.
• Ninh Hoa (35 km north) — A district town with local markets and access to the Vân Phong Bay islands.
• Đà Lạt (135 km west, 3-4 hours by bus) — The hill-station city with French colonial villas, pine forests, and cool climate.
• Hội An (530 km north, 12 hours by bus or train) — A UNESCO World Heritage ancient trading port with lantern-lit streets and tailors.
• Mũi Né (220 km south-west, 6 hours by bus) — A coastal resort town known for its red and white sand dunes and kitesurfing.
• Qui Nhơn (215 km north-east, 6 hours by bus) — A laid-back coastal city with long beaches, Cham ruins, and excellent seafood.