Nha Trang city is located in the central position of Khanh Hoa province. It borders Ninh Hoa district to the North, Cam Lam district to the South, Dien Khanh district to the West, and the sea to the East.
Nha Trang is 1,280km away from the capital Hanoi, 448km from Ho Chi Minh City, 630km from the former imperial city of Hue, 105km from Phan Rang, 260km from Phan Thiet, and 620km from Can Tho. Nha Trang has many advantages in terms of geography, with convenient transportation by road, rail, air, and sea within the country and internationally. It is the gateway to the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands, which provides many opportunities to expand cultural and economic exchanges.
2. Means of transportation when traveling to Nha Trang
* Transportation to Nha Trang
Airplane
This is the transportation you should prioritize when planning a trip to Nha Trang, as air travel in Nha Trang is highly developed with many direct routes from provinces within Vietnam as well as from abroad. The number of flights is high and the ticket prices for each leg are very reasonable, ranging from 800k-1500k VND for one-way flights departing from Hanoi, and from 400k-800k VND for one-way flights departing from Saigon. In addition, there are also direct flights from Danang, Hue, Vinh, Haiphong, Thanh Hoa, and Dalat, but the number of flights is not very high.
Bus
There are many buses from provinces to Nha Trang, especially from Saigon, so you have many options to choose from. For those who are coming from Hanoi, take the Bac Nam bus. I also recommend using the vexere.com website to choose a bus company and book your ticket.
Train
This is a highly recommended option to consider when planning a trip to Nha Trang, especially for those traveling from Saigon, as there is now a 5-star quality train for the Saigon – Nha Trang route (round trip). To book train tickets, whether for regular or 5-star trains, visit the website of Vietnam Railways Corporation at dsvn.vn.
* Means of transportation in Nha Trang
Taxis
There are many taxi companies available in Nha Trang, and prices from Cam Ranh Airport to the city center range from 250,000 to 350,000 VND per trip, given the distance of more than 35km. Keep a taxi price list handy for your Nha Trang travel guide.
Buses
Buses in Nha Trang are also an excellent choice with fares ranging from 5,000 VND per trip. They are perfect if you are on a budget trip.
Rental motorcycles If you want to explore the city by yourself, renting a motorcycle is a good option. Below is a list of a few rental companies in Nha Trang for your reference.
Boats and canoes
As Nha Trang’s main tourist destinations are beaches, you will also need boats or canoes to reach the islands. You can save money by joining other groups or renting a private boat or canoe for your group. The ticket price for a boat or canoe ride to Nha Trang’s islands ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 VND.
3. When is the best time to visit Nha Trang for tourism?
Nha Trang has a mild climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year and is divided into two distinct seasons:
Rainy season: From September to December, Nha Trang experiences frequent rain and a cool, fresh climate. Traveling to Nha Trang during this season, you will experience the pure beauty of the coastal city after the rain.
Dry season: The ideal time for a Nha Trang trip is from January to September. During this season, Nha Trang has plenty of sunshine, clear and calm seawater, making it perfect for leisure activities and island exploration.
In addition to choosing a travel season, you can also visit Nha Trang during festival times to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and learn about the local culture. Some of the famous festivals in Nha Trang with unique and exciting activities include:
Nha Trang Sea Festival: Held in odd years during the summer.
Thap Ba Festival: Held from the 20th to the 23rd day of the third lunar month every year.
4. Beautiful tourist attractions in Nha Trang
Some tourist attractions in Nha Trang
Binh Ba Island
Binh Ba is one of the top 10 must-visit destinations and the only island reserved for Vietnamese people in Nha Trang. Foreign tourists are not allowed to set foot on the island.
Binh Hung Island
The second must-visit island in Cam Ranh Bay is Binh Hung Island. This beautiful island is one of the famous four “Binh” islands in Nha Trang. Binh Hung Beach is incredibly beautiful with white sand stretching out for miles and crystal-clear water.
Dong Cuu
Located in Cam Ranh City, Dong Cuu is a newly emerging destination that attracts many young people for photo-taking. Dong Cuu owns a vast area of land with hundreds of sheep freely grazing on the field, and a beautiful surrounding stream.
Vinpearl Land
Located on Hon Tre Island, you can see the giant Vinpearl sign from the city center. It is known as the “soul of Nha Trang” and the most luxurious 5-star amusement park and resort in Vietnam.
Hon Tam
Apart from Nha Trang Beach, Hon Tam is one of the most beautiful beaches here. Hon Tam is a 5-star resort and tourism destination that caters to people who have a little bit of money. Yen Island, also known as Hon Noi Island, is a unique dual-beach in Nha Trang with smooth white sand on both sides. From the top of the mountain, you can see the entire panoramic view of Yen Island – Hon Noi, which is not inferior to the Western sky.
Tri Nguyen Aquarium – Hon Mieu
Hon Mieu, commonly known as Tri Nguyen Aquarium, is an island located near Nha Trang’s coast with a densely populated community.
Hon Chong
Hon Chong is one of the outstanding tourist attractions in Nha Trang. The appearance of a strange handprint on a large rock, with five deep fingers, is reminiscent of many legends and mysteries.
Diep Son Island
Diep Son Island includes three clusters of islands, Hon Qua, Phat and Hon Bip, connected by a smooth, white sand strip, which lies across the ocean like a silk ribbon. From above, Diep Son Island looks like it was cut in half by a white silk ribbon.
Doc Let Tourist Area
Doc Let (Doc Lech) has a stunning beach with long stretches of white, smooth sand without any rocks. If compared to Nha Trang Beach, this place is equally as beautiful. The sea water at Doc Let is crystal clear and the sand is soft, making it safe for swimming, especially for children. Moreover, the area is currently being invested in and developed for tourism, with resting huts and seafood restaurants along the beach.
Monkey Island
In 1975, a Soviet expert brought monkeys to the island for breeding and research. To this day, there are up to 1200 monkeys living naturally on the island. Although wild, they are very friendly and come close to the tourist area every morning to wait for food and play with visitors. The activities on Monkey Island, such as monkey performances, swimming competitions, and dog races, are very popular with tourists.
Ponagar Tower, Nha Trang
As the former land of the Cham people, there are many cultural relics preserved in the area. The most prominent of these is the Ponagar Tower – the temple of Mother Thiên Y A Na, who brought food, warmth, happiness, and prosperity to the Khanh Hoa province.
Stone Church
Located at the central intersection of Nha Trang city, the Stone Church is a cultural and historical monument built during the French colonial period, with the most beautiful Gothic architecture in Vietnam.
Dam Market
Dam Market is famous because all trade used to start from this market. It is considered the largest circular market in Nha Trang, selling a wide range of goods.
5. What to eat in Nha Trang?
Here are some places you can go to for delicious food:
- Dam Market: a place that sells countless delicious dishes for you to choose from.
- Banh Canh (thick noodle soup): Ba Thua 55 Yersin, Phuc 53 Van Don, Co Ha 14 Phan Chu Trinh.
- Nem chua (fermented pork roll) – Cha lua (Vietnamese sausage) – Nem nuong (grilled pork): Nem 25 Le Hong Phong, Nem Dang Van Quyen 16B Lang Ong, Nem Dang Van Quyen intersection of Phan Boi Chau and Han Thuyen.
- Lac Canh Grilled Beef: 44 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Xuong Huan, Nha Trang.
- Banh can (small rice pancakes): Ly Thanh Ton Street (only sold in the evening).
- Vit Hung Cau Dua (Cau Dua Roasted Duck): 96 23/10 Street – Vinh Hiep – Nha Trang.
- Zallo Beach Seafood Buffet Restaurant: advantages are fresh and delicious seafood, with 2 branches to choose from: Zallo Buffet – served with traditional Vietnamese dishes; Zallo Beach – delicious seafood from the local coastal area, combined with unique BBQ grilled dishes and attractive hotpot.
- Roly Seafood Hotpot and BBQ Buffet Restaurant: over 100 dishes, constantly changing, arranged in a unique style, with a garden space with a predominant green color.
- High-end buffet at InterContinental Nha Trang: 5-star standard space, rich dishes from both Vietnam and international cuisine.
- Chef’s Club Skylight Nha Trang: the highest international restaurant in Nha Trang with an open kitchen space, premium dishes created by Iron Chef Michael Bao.
6. Where to stay when visiting Nha Trang
Quang Nhat Hotel:
If you want to save costs for your Nha Trang trip, Quang Nhat Hotel is the best option for you. The rooms are equipped with 1-star standards, small but clean, and the hotel’s location only 200m away from the beach is its advantage. Address: 9/7 (1/8 old) Hung Vuong, Loc Tho, Nha Trang.
Binh An Hotel:
This 1.5-star hotel is only about 320m away from Nha Trang beach with rooms ranging from 22m2, basic facilities, and daily cleaning services, which is highly appreciated by tourists. Address: 102 Hoang Hoa Tham, Loc Tho, Nha Trang.
Hoang Hai Hotel (Golden Sea Hotel Nha Trang):
Located in the city center of Nha Trang, Hoang Hai Hotel is designed for both leisure and business purposes. In addition to the basic amenities such as TV, internet, there are also convenient services such as coffee shop, safe deposit box, and room service which are very useful for business travelers. Address: 27A Hung Vuong, Loc Tho, Nha Trang.
Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa:
If your budget is strong enough and you want to find a slightly more luxurious hotel, come to Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa. With beautiful and luxurious space, modern and high-end facilities, and a professional staff to provide you with the most comfortable feeling. Besides, after exploring beautiful tourist destinations in Nha Trang, you can relax with services such as massage, indoor swimming pool, spa, etc. Address: 26-28 Tran Phu, Loc Tho, Nha Trang.
7. Tips to make your Nha Trang trip memorable on a budget
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Here are some tips to help you plan a memorable trip to Nha Trang without breaking the bank:
Book your hotel 1-2 months in advance to choose a suitable room with a beautiful view and a good price.
Look for cheap deals from airlines and resorts, and purchase travel vouchers/combo packages to save money.
Based on backpackers’ experience, it’s recommended to check the prices of items before shopping in markets and visiting tourist attractions to avoid being overcharged.
Prepare essential items to protect your skin and body, such as hats, jackets, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
