Nha Trang has made a name for itself as one of the prettiest seaside places in all of Vietnam and if you like sea and sand then this is certainly a great pick. This part of Vietnam is now firmly on the tourist trail and sees a large number of domestic visitors as well as international travelers. For this reason, Nha Trang also has a great nightlife scene, which sets it apart from some of the sleepier resort towns in the country.
- Explore Po Nagar Cham Towers
- Go diving
- Visit the Buddha
- Go for a sail
- Soak at Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud Baths
- Walk to Long Son Pagoda
- Sunbathe on Nha Trang Beach
- the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
- Enjoy a hot air balloon ride
- Travel to Hon Chong Promontory
1. Explore Po Nagar Cham Towers
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Po Nagar Cham Towers were built from the 7th to the 12th centuries and there are four separate buildings that are used as a place of worship by Cham, Chinese, Vietnam and Buddhist worshippers.
There would originally have been around eight towers here in the days of old but now only four are still standing.
One of these is called the North Tower (or Thap Chinh in Vietnamese) which stands at a height of 28 meters and was built in 817 AD. The tower is remarkable as it has a pyramidal roof which is also terraced and the interior is made up of a vaulted ceiling and a grand foyer.
All of the towers are located on the banks of the scenic Cai River and if you like history and architecture then this is one spot not to miss in Nha Trang.
2. Go diving
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By far the most popular thing to do in Nha Trang go diving or snorkeling and there are a variety of options on offer if you want to do this.
You can either opt to swim offshore, or you can take a boat to some of the idyllic islands that encircle Nha Trang which have crystal clear waters and a vast array of sea life.
If you want to get PADI certified then there are around 10 dive shops in Nha Trang where you can take classes, although you may want to skip the period from October to December as the weather can make diving difficult and the visibility is poor.
3. Visit the Buddha
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Located at the summit of a hill behind the Long Son Pagoda is large statue of a white Buddha who is sitting on a pretty lotus blossom and measures an impressive 14 meters in height.
You can see the statue from all over Nha Trang and it is one of the main landmarks in the city.
At the base of the statue you will find some the statues of Thich Quang Duc and six other monks who set fire to themselves in protest in 1963. To pay tribute to the self-immolations of the monks, the statues are ringed with fire.
One of the reasons to come here, apart from the chance to see the statues, is to take in the views from the top of the platform.
4. Go for a sail
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Most of the main activities in Nha Trang take place on the water and with that in mind you can sign up to go sailing here.
There are a huge number of boating companies in Nha Trang and you can either go for a simple boat trip off the coast or you can opt to sail to some of the neighboring islands.
Many of the boat trips available here also offer you the chance to go diving or snorkeling off the boat and they also usually serve a buffet lunch.
5. Soak at Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud Baths
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Just to the north of Nha Trang is the Thao Ba Hot Springs and Mud Baths which is the perfect spot if you are looking to relax for the afternoon.
The baths here are made up of a series of both hot and cold pools, or you can try something a little different and opt for a mud bath.
The mud is said to have healing properties thanks to its high mineral content and people usually slather their skin with the mud and then lie down in the bath and let it work its magic.
6. Walk to Long Son Pagoda
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Be warned that you will have to walk up a steep set of steps to get to the top of the Long Son Pagoda.
The hike may be a little challenging, but it is more than worth it to take in the views.
The pagoda dates from the 19th century and you need to make sure to check out the mosaic dragons that adorn the roof and the entrance.
As you enter the main sanctuary you will also find a large hall which is covered in traditional motifs which have been reinterpreted in a more modern style.
7. Sunbathe on Nha Trang Beach
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Nha Trang is primarily a beach destination so with that in mind head to the main strip of sand here and top up your tan.
The beach stretches for miles and this is a good choice if you want to sunbathe as you can hire a deck chair for the afternoon and chill out in the sun.
There are also a number of local vendors here who walk along the beach and sell delicious seafood based snacks as well as cooling tropical fruit.
8. the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
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You won’t find a huge number of museums in Nha Trang, but one that you can visit is the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam.
Like almost everything else in the region, the museum has a maritime theme as well as a large aquarium.
Here you will find a wide variety of colorful fish and there are also some rare indigenous underwater creatures here that are worth the visit alone.
Some of the resident marine life that you can see here includes sea horses, sharks and turtles and this is a great choice if you are travelling with younger visitors.
9. Enjoy a hot air balloon ride
If you fancy a bit of adventure in Nha Trang, then head to Hon Tam where you can take a scenic hot air balloon ride.
The balloon center is located at Pham Van Dong Street and you can ride up to 150 meters in the balloon which takes around 20 minutes and allows you to take in the best of Nha Trang from a height.
If you want to take some aerial pictures of the city as well as out to sea, then this is hard to beat.
10. Travel to Hon Chong Promontory
Hon Chong is made up of a granite promontory which looks out over the pretty mountain-lined coastline for which Nha Trang is famous.
There is also a beach here as well as a model of a traditional Ruong home and some cafes and eateries.
As such, if you are looking for an alternative to Nha Trang Beach then this is a good pick and you can also watch local children diving into the water off the side of the promontory.
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