Things to do in Nha Trang: what to see in 2026

Below is a guide with prices current as of early 2026, opening hours, coordinates and specific, real-world tips. Every price is in Vietnamese dong (VND) with a rough US-dollar guide. Exchange rate used here: about 25,000 VND = $1.

Nha Trang attractions on the map

Twelve places genuinely worth your time — with prices, opening hours and the distance from the centre. Tap a marker for the details.

Short on time? The priority trio is VinWonders for a full day, the Po Nagar Cham towers in the morning and Long Son Pagoda on the way back.

Prices are current as of early 2026. Confirm on the spot — rates can rise in high season.

VinWonders — the theme park on Hon Tre island

VinWonders (formerly Vinpearl Land) is Nha Trang's biggest entertainment complex, on Hòn Tre island. You reach it by a 3,320-metre cable car — the longest over-water cable car anywhere. One ticket covers all the rides, the aquapark, the zoo and the themed zones.

The park is open 9:00–20:00; budget 5–7 hours to see it properly. A full day pass is 950,000 VND (~$38) for adults; children under 100 cm go free. Tickets are cheaper booked online than at the gate.

The islands of Nha Trang bay — south and north

The bay has 19 islands. The southern ones (Hon Mun, Hon Tam, Hon Mieu) are for snorkelling and diving. The northern ones (Monkey Island, Orchid Island) are about nature and a day out. Season: March–October.

Southern islands

Hòn Mun is Vietnam's only marine reserve and the best spot for diving. Water visibility runs 15–20 m. There is a 22,000 VND (~$0.90) eco-fee and a 60,000 VND (~$2.40) reef-access fee, usually bundled into a tour ($25–40).

Hòn Tằm — white sand, a gentle entry and barely any waves, ideal for families. About a 15-minute boat ride.

Hòn Miếu — the Tri Nguyên aquarium, built in the shape of a sunken ship.

Northern islands

Orchid Island — dozens of orchid species, waterfalls and rainforest. Quiet, no crowds. You can pair it with Monkey Island, since they share the same pier.

Getting there: for the southern islands, a boat from Cầu Đá port; for the northern ones, a ferry from the north pier (~20 km, Grab around 150,000 VND / ~$6).

💬 "In storm season (November–January) island trips are often cancelled. The water is murky and snorkelling is pointless." — travellers, Reddit r/VietnamTravel, 2025

Monkey Island (Hon Lao) — the full guide

Monkey Island — Đảo Khỉ (Hon Lao) — is one of the more unusual sights near Nha Trang. Around 1,500 macaques live free on the island.

On your own: the north pier (~20 km), ferry 9:30–16:00 every 30 minutes, about 20 minutes across. A Grab to the pier runs 150,000 VND (~$6).

On a tour: a group trip is $25–35, a private one from $60.

The ticket covers a walk around, the beach, a circus show and dog races. Plan on 3–4 hours and arrive by 9:30.

Po Nagar Cham towers — a thousand years of heritage

The Ponagar Cham towers are the oldest structure in Nha Trang, dating from the 7th to 12th centuries. They are a legacy of the Champa kingdom. Four of the original eight towers survive; the main one, 28 metres tall, is dedicated to the goddess Pô Nagar.

Dress code: covered shoulders and knees. They lend cover-ups at the entrance. Allow 40–60 minutes. Come before 9:00, before it gets hot. The Thap Ba mud baths are right next door. A Grab from the centre is 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2).

Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha

Long Sơn Pagoda is the main Buddhist temple of Khanh Hoa province, founded in 1886. On top of the hill sits a 24-metre White Buddha on a lotus, visible from various points across town. Entry is free.

The climb is 193 steps. There is a panoramic view at the top; below are mosaic dragons, carved panels and incense. Allow 30–45 minutes.

💬 "Near the entrance, people may push you to buy a 'ticket' or incense. Ignore them — entry is free." — traveller reviews, Tripadvisor, 2025

The pagoda is 1.5 km from the centre. It pairs well with the Cathedral, 700 metres to the south.

Ba Ho waterfall — three tiers in the jungle

The Ba Ho waterfalls are three cascades in the jungle, 25 km to the north. The trail runs over rocks and roots. The first tier is easy to reach; not everyone makes it to the third — it gets slippery.

Getting there: scooter (30–40 min) or a taxi (400,000–600,000 VND / ~$16–24 with waiting). Proper shoes are a must — flip-flops are dangerous here. You can swim. Aim to arrive before 11:00.

Yang Bay eco-park — waterfalls and hot springs

Yang Bay eco-park is 40 km from Nha Trang. It has waterfalls, hot springs up to 90°C, a mini-zoo and a show by the Raglai people.

Getting there: scooter (~1 hour), taxi ($50–70) or a tour ($30–40). Plan on a full day.

Mud baths and hot springs

Nha Trang has two main mud-bath complexes — Thập Bà (next to the Cham towers) and I-Resort (more modern, with slides for kids). Mud and mineral baths, pools and massage start from 120,000 VND (~$5).

The Cathedral and the Oceanography Museum

Nha Trang Cathedral

Built 1928–1933 in the Gothic style, in stone, with stained glass and a bell tower. Entry 20,000 VND (~$0.80), open 10:00–16:00, allow 20–30 minutes. It sits next to the railway station.

Oceanography Museum

Open since 1922. Whale skeletons and live aquariums. Entry 40,000 VND (~$1.60), children 10,000 VND, under 6 free. Allow an hour. A Grab is around 40,000 VND.

Hon Chong cape — the Stone Garden

Hòn Chồng cape is a cluster of giant boulders on the north side of Nha Trang. Free. It only takes 15–20 minutes, but the views — a panorama over the coast and the islands — are worth it.

On one rock there is the handprint of a giant who slipped while spying on a fairy, or so the legend goes.

Off the tourist trail in Nha Trang

Five places without the tour buses.

Chùa Suối Đổ pagoda — a temple in the hills, quiet (12.2215, 109.1009).

Chùa Tòng Lâm Lô Sơn pagoda — home to the largest Amitabha Buddha (12.2828, 109.1338).

Truong Son craft village — a park with workshops, free entry.

Galina Lake View eco-park — swings over the water and suspension bridges (12.1882, 109.1566).

The Trần Phú seafront — 6 km long, with a night market and the Agarwood Tower. The night market is the best place for street food and a browse.

All the attractions on the map

• VinWonders (Hòn Tre): Theme park, 950,000 VND (~$38) — 9:00–20:00 | 10 km (cable car)
• Hon Mun island (Hòn Mun): Snorkelling & diving — 22,000 + 60,000 VND (~$3.30) | Mar–Oct
• Monkey Island (Hòn Lao): 180,000 VND (~$7.20), 9:30–16:00 — 20 km + ferry
• Po Nagar Cham towers (Tháp Bà Ponagar): 7th–12th c. temple, 30,000 VND (~$1.20) — 6:00–18:00 | 3 km from centre
• Long Son Pagoda (Chùa Long Sơn): 24 m White Buddha, 193 steps, free — 8:00–20:00 | 1.5 km from centre
• Ba Ho waterfall (Suối Ba Hồ): 3 tiers, 100,000 VND (~$4) — 8:00–16:30 | 25 km from centre
• Yang Bay eco-park (Yang Bay): 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8) — 8:00–17:00 | 40 km from centre
• Thap Ba mud baths (Tháp Bà): 120,000–300,000 VND (~$5–12) — 7:00–19:30 | 4 km from centre
• I-Resort (I-Resort): Mud baths, from 120,000 VND (~$5) — 7:00–20:00 | 6 km from centre
• Nha Trang Cathedral (Nhà thờ Núi): Gothic, 1928–1933, 20,000 VND (~$0.80) — 10:00–16:00 | 1 km from centre
• Oceanography Museum (Viện Hải dương học): Since 1922, aquariums, 40,000 VND (~$1.60) — 6:00–18:00 | 5 km from centre
• Hon Chong cape (Hòn Chồng): Stone garden, panorama, free — All day | 4 km from centre

Ready-made routes

1 day: Long Son → Cathedral → lunch → seafront → Hon Chong at sunset.

2 days: Day 1 — Po Nagar → Thap Ba → Long Son. Day 2 — VinWonders, all day.

3 days: + Monkey Island in the morning + Ba Ho waterfall.

4–5 days: + Yang Bay + the southern islands with diving.

Practical tips for Nha Trang attractions

Transport. Grab is the mainstay — the app is in English, fares are fixed. Around town it is 20,000–60,000 VND (~$0.80–2.40). For far-flung spots, rent a scooter ($5–7/day) or take a taxi.

Timing. Go before 10:00 or after 15:00. Midday hits 33–35°C. The exception is VinWonders, with its aquapark.

What to bring. SPF 50+, a hat, water (1 l), decent shoes and a swimsuit.

Safety. Nha Trang is safe. Just take it easy on a scooter in the hills — if you have no experience, take a taxi.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

What are the top attractions in Nha Trang?

The top five: VinWonders with its 3,320 m cable car; the Po Nagar Cham towers (7th–12th c.); Long Son Pagoda with its 24 m White Buddha; the bay islands (Hon Mun for diving, Hon Tam for the beach); and the Ba Ho waterfalls, three cascades 25 km out of town.

What can you see on your own?

Long Son Pagoda (free), the Cathedral (20,000 VND), the Trần Phú seafront and Hon Chong cape. Po Nagar is a 10-minute Grab away. Ba Ho is a 30–40-minute scooter ride. Monkey Island is a ferry hop.

What is there for kids?

VinWonders — aquapark, Kids Land, zoo (under 100 cm free). Monkey Island — a circus and a beach (child ticket 100,000 VND). The Oceanography Museum — aquariums (children 10,000 VND). I-Resort — slides (child rate 60,000 VND).

Which islands should you visit?

Snorkelling — Hon Mun (a reserve, diving $70–90). Beach — Hon Tam (good for kids). A day out — Monkey Island. Quiet — Orchid Island. Season: March–October.

How do you get to Monkey Island?

A Grab to the north pier (150,000 VND, 20 km). The ferry runs 9:30–16:00 every 30 minutes, about 20 minutes across. Tickets: 180,000 VND (~$7.20) adult, 100,000 VND (~$4) child.

When should you visit the islands?

March to October. Winter is stormy and trips get cancelled. In winter, stick to the temples, waterfalls, mud baths and VinWonders.

Which attractions are free?

Long Son, Hon Chong cape, the seafront with its night market, the craft village and Suối Đổ pagoda. Enough for a full day.

Information current as of early 2026. Prices and conditions can change — confirm with official sources before you travel.