Nha Trang Itinerary Vietnam – Complete Guide

Are you planning a trip to the coastal Vietnam city of Nha Trang? Our Nha Trang itinerary will show you the best Nha Trang attractions and activities in this stunning seaside city.

Nha Trang has long been a popular beach destination for Chinese and Russian tourists but now the secret is well, and truly out as more international visitors discover the charms of this vibrant coastal city.

With seemingly endless golden beaches, a picturesque bay and balmy climate Nha Trang should be on the top of your Vietnam travel list.

• Enjoy the sun and sea on Nha Trang Beach
• Grab a bargain at the Night Markets
• Visit Vinpearl Land theme park
• Visit the White Buddha at Long Son Pagoda
• Go swimming and snorkelling at Mun Island
• Take an Emperor Cruise of Nha Trang Bay
• Explore Nha Trang’s food scene

The drive from the airport to Nha Trang

The first glimpse of the beauty of the Nha Trang region begins as you drive from Cam Ranh International Airport to Nha Trang. The airport is 35.5 km from Nha Trang, and the drive takes around 45 minutes.

As you drive from the airport you will pass the 5-star luxury resorts of Cam Ranh. Famous hotel brands include Radisson Blue Resort Cam Ranh and Movenpick Resort Cam Ranh.

Nha Trang is a busy resort city where large hotels hug the shore vying for the best views of beautiful Nha Trang Bay. This exciting city has a lot to offer and here are our suggestions on what to put on a Nha Trang itinerary.

Map of Nha Trang

What to do in Nha Trang Vietnam

Nha Trang Vietnam is a typical seaside resort city, people come to relax, eat, drink, shop, and party. Happily, Nha Trang delivers all these things in abundance and so much more.

Everyone has their own individual idea of what they want their Nha Trang holiday to be. Here are a few of the things you should put on your Nha Trang Itinerary.

Nha Trang beach scene

Life in Nha Trang is centred around the beach. The days are spent soaking up the sun and unwinding under a beach umbrella on a sun lounger. Your Nha Trang vacation can be as busy or relaxing as you want, where choosing between a cooling dip in the water or experiencing the thrill of kitesurfing is only limited by your sense of adventure.

If you feel thirsty there is no need to go far, you can head to a beach stall for a drink and ice cream, cool down with an ice-cold beer or glass of wine and leisurely lunch right on the beach at the Sailing Club Nha Trang.

A wide palm tree lined pathway meanders its way along the beach. Shady well-tended gardens showcase a selection of interesting sculptures and there are exercise areas for those wanting to stay in shape during their holiday.  

Across the bay you will see Hon Tre Island which is home to Vinpearl Land Sky Wheel and amusement park. If you want a fun filled day a visit to Vinpearl Land should be on the top of your Nha Trang itinerary.

Thap Tram Huong

Thap Tram Huong sits proudly overlooking Nha Trang Beach. The tower is known as “Sea Flower” and is one of the most iconic landmarks of Nha Trang.

Thap Tram Huong’s pointed arches are said to represent sails and the petals of a lotus flower. The upper tower symbolises agarwood, which is used to make incense. When the sun goes down Thap Tram Huong is illuminated with flying birds which glide up the tower walls.

The tower is next to a large square, the place to see locals doing morning exercises and a busy meeting place in the evenings.

Nha Trang Shopping

If you love shopping, you will fall in love with Nha Trang! The city has a variety of shopping styles which include small boutiques and shops, modern shopping malls and markets. Here are some of our favourites.

Nha Trang night markets

If you are looking for things to do in Nha Trang at night, a visit to a Nha Trang night market might just be the place for you. One such market can be found across from Thap Tram Huong tower, just look for the colourful neon lights that lead the way.

Here you will find Vietnamese trinkets, clothing, craft, coffee, Vietnamese dried goods, and medicines. Within the market is a restaurant area with a collection of stalls selling different dishes and drinks. Make sure to get there early as the restaurant can get busy during peak times.

Nha Trang Shopping Malls

You will find quite a few shopping malls in and around Nha Trang foreshore. These modern airconditioned shopping malls are a great place to escape Nha Trang’s sticky midday heat. Take the time to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a fun afternoon of shopping.

Gold Coast Shopping Mall Nha Trang

The Gold Coast Shopping Mall is the largest “all-in-one” shopping complex in Nha Trang. The mall is within walking distance to beaches and the Sheraton Hotel.

Gold Coast has a mix of brand-named stores, variety shops and boutiques selling locally designed clothing and crafts.

The mall has a good selection of restaurants and there is a large supermarket which caters to all your holiday needs. Meet up with family and friends at the Gold Coast bowling alley which can be found on the 7^th floor.  

Vincom Plaza Than Phu

The Vincom Plaza Than Phu is located across the road from the Sailing Club on Nha Trang beach. The shopping mall has an interesting selection of shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. Vincom Plaza shopping mall also contains a cinema and small supermarket.  

Nha Trang tours

There are many places to visit in Nha Trang, you can either explore them independently or save time by taking a tour.

These full and half day trips from Nha Trang will have you enjoying a fun of Nha Trang’s Vinpearl Land theme park or cruising beautiful Nha Trang Bay. For a more cultural experience visit Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Cham Tower.

For sunseekers it is time to take to the water and spend the day swimming and snorkelling on Mun Island. To help you choose the top tours for your personal Nha Trang itinerary, here is our list of the best tours of Nha Trang.

Vinwonders Nha Trang

The Vinwonders Tour Nha Trang promises an action packed day at Nha Trang’s famous Vinpearl Land amusement park and should be included in your itinerary.

This massive park is home to a fairy-tale castle and the Sky Wheel, a landmark that can be seen from the beaches of Nha Trang. Other attractions include Waterpark Beach, Underwater World, Kings Garden and much, much more.

Nha Trang city half day private tour

Head away from the beaches and explore the city side of Nha Trang. This tour takes you to the Institute of Oceanography to discover the 80,000 marine species at the Marine Creature Museum.

Next stop is the tranquil grounds of the Long Son Pagoda where you can marvel at the stunning 24 metre White Buddha statue. See the wonders of the ancient Champa Kingdom at the Po Nagar Cham Tower and learn the fascinating history of the area.

Visit the Nha Trang Stone Church, a French gothic masterpiece and reminder of Vietnams French colonial past.

Click here to book Nha Trang city half day tour

Mun island, fishing village, Tranh Beach and aquarium day tour from Nha Trang

Nha Trang Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the world and a Nha Trang boat trip should be included in any Nha Trang itinerary.

The tour starts with a cruise of Nha Trang Bay and then heads out to the National Marine Conservation Area. Here you can either snorkel or take the glass bottom boat to meet a variety of fish and the other marine life of Mun Island.

Sample a delicious Vietnamese lunch at An Nam restaurant and take time to have fun swimming and enjoying the water activities of Tranh Beach. Take an ancient boat to Tri Nguyen Aquarium and marvel at the colourful schools of fish before returning to Nha Trang.

Click here to book Mun Island Tour

Nha Trang Bay day trip by Emperor Cruise

If you are looking for a little luxury, consider adding a day cruise to your Nha Trang itinerary. Enjoy a memorable day exploring the Nha Trang coastline and islands on an elegant old junk with Emperor Cruises.

Sit back and relax with live music as you skim across the waters of Nha Trang Bay. Explore the nearby islands of Tam, Mot, and Hon Mieu. Have fun swimming, snorkelling, or kayaking within these crystal-clear waters. Enjoy a delicious feast while taking in the beauty of Nha Trang Bay.

Emperor Cruises also has a Sunset Cocktail & Dinner Cruise. Both cruises are perfect for getting the best out of your visit to Nha Trang.

Click here to book Sunset Cocktail & Dinner Cruise

Where to eat in Nha Trang

The city features local favourites and cuisines from all over the world. When you visit a restaurant, it is not unusual to find the menu written in Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, and English, a testament to the international flavour of this resort city.

Nha Trang is a culinary adventure, you can sit down with the locals at a street side stall, pop into one of the small restaurants that line the alleyways or try one of the many seafood restaurants that can be found throughout the city.

Looking for breakfast or brunch? Here are a few of our favourite Nha Trang restaurants and coffee shops.

Alpaca Homestyle café

Housed in a distinctive green building, the Alpaca Homestyle Cafe is a comfortable mix of cane chairs and pastel colours with a decor bordering on 1950’s kitsch. Images of a friendly Alpaca pop up here and there adding to the ambience of this stylish café.

The café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a selection of breakfast dishes, salads, pasta, Mexican delights, and a choice of main courses.

We stopped in for breakfast, I ordered oatmeal and seasonal fruits and Alan chose the scrambled egg and fried ham which came with crusty bread and butter, cheese, olives, salad, and humus. A massive breakfast which was well presented, delicious and filling.

Alpaca Homestyle Café can be found at 10/1B Nguyễn Thiện Thuật Nha Trang.

Deja Burger

The Deja Burger cart is located down an alley which is home to small restaurants selling a variety of cuisines. Deja Burger has a small seating area and makes one of the best hamburgers in town.

Jelly Brew Pub

If you enjoy craft beer head on down to the Jelly Brew Pub. This colourful pub is hidden down an alley and is within walking distance from the Night Market. Make sure to get there early as the pub gets packed with visitors.

MIX restaurant

Mix is a popular Greek restaurant which is always packed and often you will find people waiting their turn for a table. We only wanted a light lunch, so we ordered a bowl of hummus and Keftedakia, pork meatballs with Tzatziki dip.

It was not until we settled in that we notice the platters of seafood being served to the other guests and we instantly regretted our choice.

This succulent mix of prawns, calamari, fish fillets, basa, red snapper, shells, mussels, salad, Greek pita, and a selection of dips looked and smelled delicious. However, when our dishes arrived, they were tasty and perfect for a light lunch on the go.

Mix restaurant can be found at 77 Hùng Vương, P, Thành phố Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa Vietnam.

Where to stay in Nha Trang

There is a massive assortment of Nha Trang Vietnam hotels, apartments and Nha Trang beach resorts. What style of Nha Trang accommodation you choose will come down to personal preference and budget. Here are a few of our favourites.

LegendSea Hotel Nha Trang

The LegendSea Hotel Nha Trang is set one block back from Nha Trang Beach. The hotel has a variety of rooms and suites with city or ocean views.

Walking into our Club Luxury Ocean View Room we were delighted to find a massive picture window with beach view. The room was light and airy with a fresh clean décor. The bathroom was modern with dark and light marble features.

Watch our video below to see more of LegendSea Hotel Nha Trang.

The hotel has a spa, rooftop pool and bar area. Buffet breakfast is served in the Sirena Restaurant with a choice of egg station, Asian and western dishes.

The hotel is a short walk to the Sailing Club and Vincom Plaza Than Phu. The area is surrounded by restaurants and minimarts.

Click here to book the LegendSea Hotel Nha Trang

Panorama Nha Trang Hotel

We have had the pleasure of staying at the Panorama Nha Trang Hotel on two separate occasions, both times in an Ocean View Apartment.

What we love about staying at the Panorama is the wide balcony with sweeping views overlooking Nha Trang Bay. The balcony is the perfect place to watch kite surfers skim across the water and see cruise ships enter the harbor.

Watch our video below to see more of Panorama Nha Trang Hotel.

The Ocean View apartment is large and features a desk and comfortable sitting area. The apartment has a small kitchen alcove with a sink, kettle, and microwave. The bathroom was clean and modern with a choice of standard and rainwater shower.

The hotel is in a fabulous location, just steps from the beach, night market and is surrounded by restaurants and coffee shops. If you are looking for Nha Trang apartments style accommodation I can highly recommend this Nha Trang hotel.

Click here to book the Panorama Nha Trang Hotel

Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh

If you are looking for peace far from the crowds of Nha Trang why not consider the larger Nha Trang beach resorts at Cam Ranh. One such resort is the Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh, which is a 30 km drive from central Nha Trang.

The resort offers the gleaming white sands of Bai Dai beach framed by deep green manicured lawns and shady palm trees.

From the moment you walk into the lobby your senses will be in awe of the exceptional style and elegance of the property. Large open spaces are filled with comfort and conjure an air of tranquillity and harmony.

The hotel has a selection of rooms, suites and villas with pool or beachfront views. Each room is decorated in a modern style with charming Vietnamese features. Luxuriate in sumptuous bathrooms and relax on balconies with uninterrupted views of Bai Dai Beach.

The Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh has an assortment of restaurants and bars to choose from. You can enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast in the opulent Sunrise Restaurant, sample Vietnamese food with a modern twist in The Blue Lobster or enjoy a drink as you relax by the pool at Get Wet.

Click here to book the Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh

Is Nha Trang North or South Vietnam?

Nha Trang is located on the south central coast of Vietnam. The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang is 440 km, Hanoi to Nha Trang is 1,290 km, Da Nang to Nha Trang is 533 km, and Nha Trang to Dalat is a short 134 km.

How do you get to Nha Trang?

Nha Trang is serviced by bus and train from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Vietnam travel by bus and train can take many hours. Flights are cheap within Vietnam and sometimes cheaper or comparable to train and bus.   

Direct flight times from Ho Chi Minh City are around 1 hour & 15 minutes, Da Nang around 1 hour & 5 minutes and Hanoi around 2 hours.

Nha Trang is the gateway to Da Lat and the most economical way to get from Nha Trang to Da Lat is by bus. The Nha Trang to Da Lat bus travels through spectacular mountain scenery and you can be enjoying the Da Lat Vietnam attractions in approximately 3 hours.

What is the best time to visit Nha Trang?

Nha Trang is perfect for a beach holiday as it has a tropical climate with a relatively short rainy season that lasts between September and December. The hottest months are between July and August with average temperatures reaching around 32 degrees Celsius. 

The best time to visit Nha Trang is from February to April when the days are less sticky, and the average temperature is around 26 to 27 degrees Celsius. 

Do you need a Visa for Vietnam?

Yes a visa is required and our preferred partner for a Vietnam Visa is iVisa. We have used them many times and have always been happy with professional and fast service.

Last words on Nha Trang itinerary Vietnam

As you can see there is a lot to pack into a Nha Trang itinerary. Not only is Nha Trang famous for its fabulous beaches, but it is also the place to explore a fascinating range of cultural attractions and sample a melting pot of cuisines.

If you are planning a trip to Nha Trang, get ready for the warm sun, tranquil waters, and golden sands to leave you feeling relaxed and revitalised. Discover why Nha Trang is one of the best beach holiday destinations in Vietnam.

Have you been to Nha Trang? Did you love it or hate it? Let us know and feel free to leave a comment.