Nha Trang, Vietnam is not only a coastal city but also a political, economic, cultural, and tourism center of Khanh Hoa province. This city has a temperate climate and convenient transportation, regarding waterways, roads, airways, and railways. Together with dramatic sceneries and long-term history, Nha Trang has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Vietnam with many kinds of tourism such as ecotourism, leisure travel, community travel, adventure travel and so on. Today’s article will reveal to you some fantastic things that will specify your trip when visiting Nha Trang the beautiful beach city of Vietnam. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What To See In Nha Trang
Po Nagar Cham Towers
Po Nagar Cham towers are located on a small hill, which is about 10 – 12 meters high and 2 km to the north of the city. “Po Nagar Cham Tower” is used to refer to this complex; however, it is the name of the highest tower on the 3rd floor, which is 23 meters high only. The towers were constructed between the 7th and 12th century, and up to now, it still functions as a worshipping destination for Buddhists in the local area. Arriving in Po Nagar Cham towers, tourists will have a chance to listen to legends about the construction of this spot. It is said that Po Nagar Cham towers are dedicated to the goddess of the same name, who was born from the cloud and sea. She was the person who created crops and trees and taught the locals to cultivate and weave. Annually, on March 23rd in the lunar calendar, people gather here to present their gratefulness to goddess Po Nagar. Capturing beautiful photos of lush mountains and picturesque boats is also a fantastic thing for tourists here.
Address: Hai Thang Tu Street, Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Entrance fee: VND 22,000 per person (about $1)
Hon Chong
Hon Chong has been an attractive tourist attraction of Nha Trang for a long time. It is said to be the junction of the mountain and sea as tourists can go to the coast or the foot of the hill within a few minutes of walking. Apart from admiring the magnificent landscape, visitors to Hon Chong will have an opportunity to listen to fantastic fairy tales relating to the formation of these boulders.
Hon Chong consists of a square boulder sitting on a more prominent and flatter one. This boulder overlooks the sea and has a sizeable hand-shaped dent whose formation has not been explained by scientists and explorers. Here, tourists can go fishing or swim in turquoise water while enjoying the fresh and quiet atmosphere, which is different from any other places in Nha Trang city.
Address: Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Entrance fee: VND 21,000 per person (about $1)
Nha Trang Station
With the unique architectural style and impressive sceneries, Nha Trang station is said to be the second most beautiful station in Indochina, just after the most well-known Da Lat Station. This tourist spot is now still in operation, so you can take the virtual waiting-for-the-train and on-the-train pictures, which create movable inspiration. In front of Nha Trang Station is a historical relic that reminds visitors of the courage of local people during the Resistance War against France and a flower garden named Vo Van Ky, who was the leader of the battle against the French in Nha Trang station on October 23rd, 1945.
Address: No. 17, Thai Nguyen Street, Phuoc Tan Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Entrance fee: Free
Vietnam National Institute of Oceanography
In Vietnam National Institute of Oceanography, tourists will see more than 20,000 samples of more than 4,000 types of marine and freshwater creatures. There are also living specimens raised in glass tanks. The collection of marine animals consists of many species now living in the territorial waters of Vietnam, Cambodia, and surrounding countries and endangered ones such as dugong. Remarkably, Vietnam National Institute of Oceanography is currently preserving a humpback whale skeleton which is 26 meters long and 3 meters high. This skeleton is said to have been buried for more than 200 years before being unearthed and stored here. Also, this museum will also introduce to tourists the natural features of the East Sea, including minerals, precious resources, coastal landscapes, and vibrant ecosystem with mangrove forests, coral reefs, sea grass, and so on. All are aimed at raising people’s awareness of protecting the environment and natural resources for long-term benefits.
Address: No. 1, Cau Da, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Entrance fee: VND 30,000 per adult (about $1.3), VND 15,000 per student (about $0.6) and VND 7,000 per pupil (about $0.3)
Ba Ho Waterfall
Ba Ho (three ponds) waterfall is a beautiful tourist spot thanks to the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. It is about 25 km to the North of Nha Trang City and begins at Hon Son peak, which is 660 meters high.
This waterfall is named according to the strange structure of the streams here. On the way from Hon Son peak to the sea, the water flow creates three large and glorious ponds on the mountain flank with separated sceneries. In the surrounding of these ponds are forests or high cliffs. If you want to explore all of the lakes here, you need to prepare good pairs of shoes, gloves, and especially a healthy body because the only way to reach these spots is hiking. However, the trail is not too beetling, and you will never get lost if you follow the stream direction. Also, be careful of reefs when playing there.
Address: Ninh Ich Commune, Ninh Hoa district, Khanh Hoa province
Entrance fee: VND 50,000 per person (about $2)
Bai Duong Beach
Bai Duong beach is one of the best beaches in Nha Trang. It is situated in Hon Chong complex – a must-see destination for any tourists to Nha Trang City. This is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Bai Duong beach is about 2 km long with green cotton-wood trees on one half and ancient castor-oil plants on the other. That is the reason why the local name this beach “Bãi Dương” and “Bãi Dầu”, meaning ocean beach.
In front of Bai Duong beach is Kien Vang Island, which is about 500 meters from the coast. Looking further, tourists will see Hon Trem, Hon Phu Tu, Chua Hang Mountain, and other green islands. All create a magnificent and charming setting, like what in water-color painting.
Address: Hon Chong Complex, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Entrance fee: Free
Must-Eat Dishes In Nha Trang
Here are a few dishes you simply have to try when in Nha Trang. A short descripotoin on the dishes as well as suggestions to the best restaurants in Nha Trang to try the dishes at.
Grilled Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Nướng Nha Trang)
Neglecting the grilled fermented pork roll will be a big mistake for visitors to Nha Trang City. This dish originated from Ninh Hoa – a small district in the North of Nha Trang City. Ingredients to make “Nem nướng” are very simple, including grilled fermented pork, rice paper sheet, fresh vegetables, and dipping sauce. The delicacy of this eating is depended on the dipping sauce, which is also the business know-how of each food stall. Many kinds of fresh vegetables are prepared for diners to choose, such as lettuce, basil, chives, perilla, cucumber, green banana, carrot, star-fruit, mango, etc. Rice paper sheets are often the one produced in Dien Thuy village, Khanh Hoa province, which is quite thin but easy to pack and delicious. To have the most mouth-watering grilled fermented pork roll, you should not miss any ingredients. Wrap all of them in the rice paper sheet, dip the roll in the sauce, and then enjoy. You will be surprised by its flavor.
Where to eat Nem Nướng Nha Trang:
- Nem Nướng Đặng Văn Quyên at No. 16A, Lan Ong – Xuong Huan Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
- Nem Nướng Vũ Thành An at No. 15, Le Loi Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province (Opposite Nem Nướng Đặng Văn Quyên)
Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Fish and Jellyfish (Bún Chả Cá)
After a hard day of traveling and playing, there will be nothing more wonderful than sitting in a restaurant on the windy beach and consuming a bowl of hot rice vermicelli with grilled fish and jellyfish. The main ingredients to make grilled fish are often mackerel, chopped onion, pepper, salt, and sugar. The broth is made from sailfish and bone of mackerel, creating a sweet and cool flavor. Not many tourists can forget the moment of tasting “bún chả cá” with hot and scent broth, fried, grilled fish, green onion, and crispy jellyfish.
Where to eat Bún Chả Cá:
- Bún Cá Cô Ba at No. 123, Yersin Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
- Bún Cá Mịn at No. 170, Bach Dang Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Can Cake (Bánh Căn)
Can cake is also a must-eat dish for tourists to this beautiful city. This is a famous fare in the Southern Coast of Vietnam. This cake is mainly made from rice flour. After being soaked in the water for about 6 hours, rice is pureed, diluted, and added to small molds on the stove. Then, it is filled with egg, shrimp, squid, or bacon. When the flour is scorched, people spread a layer of oil and onion to the surface and then enjoy. Delicious Can cake must go with tasty dipping sauce. Therefore, ask the local people in advance to choose the most famous Can cake restaurant.
Where to eat Bánh Căn:
- Bánh Căn Cô Trang at No. 3A, Thap Ba Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
- Bánh Căn Mực at No. 227, Vo Thi Sau Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province
Our article has introduced to you the most notable tourist attractions and delicacies to try in Nha Trang – one of the modernist and most striking cities in Vietnam. There are still many destinations to visit here, such as Vinpearl Land Nha Trang, Long Son Pagoda, Nha Trang Cathedral, Diep Son Wooden Bridge, and so on. If you have enough time, try not to forget these awe-inspiring tourist spots. Have you ever been to this city? If yes, share with us your experience by writing on the box below. If not, we hope you enjoy our article for a fantastic trip shortly.
Author Bio:
Hi, my name is Emily Pham and I come from Vietnam – a small country with many beautiful beaches and tourist attractions. I establish the blog website vina.com to introduce the elegant beauty of Vietnam to friends around the world. If you’re tending to have a trip to Vietnam, my blog will provide you with essential information on where to go, what to eat, and what to do in our country.
Additional Information about Nha Trang under photo
How to get to Nha Trang
There are several different ways to get to Nha Trang depending on where in Vietnam you start your journey.
The easiest way to get to Nha Trang is to fly in to Dalat and take a bus or taxi from Dalat to Nha Trang. You can find affordable flights to Nha Trang on the government-owned Vietnamese budget airlines VietAir and Jetstar Pacific Airlines.
If you have been traveling the north before visiting Nha Trang, your most logical stop before Nha Trang might be Hoi An. You can take a sleeper bus from Hoi An to Nha Trang. This, however, is a very long journey so if you’re short on time I would definitely recommend taking a flight from Hoi An to Nha Trang.
If you, however, have lots of time and prefer the slow travel way to save quite a few extra bucks, buckle in for a bus ride lasting about 12 hours. With that said, buses in Vietnam are actually pretty comfortable as the seats are lying down and you can be pretty comfy even on a long ride. Be aware though that must busses are pretty worn down and nothing fancy.
The same basically goes for taking the bus from Ho Chi Min to Nha Trang. It’s absolutely doable but requires long hours on a bus. There are also train from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang. Taking the train in Vietnam is an experience in itself, and would really be something to consider if you have the time. The train between Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang is also a way more comfortable way to travel than with buses as they have a variety of bed and seating options. Check flights and consider the pros and cons. I usually take the bus or train if I have the time frame for it. If you want to book busses in Vietnam, ask your hotel or check out the rates in different tour agencies.
Best time to visit Nha Trang
So, when is the best time to visit Nha Trang? You can visit Nha Trang any month of the year, but it can be smart to try to avoid the rainy season. The rainy season in Nha Trang is between September and December. This way you’ll be able to avoid what in the worst-case can be thunderstorms and typhoons. The temperatures are the best between February and May, when it’s not too hot or too cold but usually between 26-30°C. For diving and snorkeling try to go between April to August when the waters are at their clearest, however, marine life and diving season is all year round except November and December.
Map of Vietnam – must visit places in Vietnam
The two green marks on the map are Dalat and Nha Trang.
I decided to add this map of Vietnam where I’ve marked some of my personal highlights to visit in Vietnam. I honestly could not have picked a favorite destination as I feel like every place I visited during my 2 weeks in Vietnam, had different qualities and features that made them amazing and beautiful in their own way. I haven’t myself visited Nha Trang, but to my luck, local girl Emily offered to write this post up for me.
