Nha Trang prices 2026: food, stay, transport
Nha Trang is still one of Vietnam's most affordable beach cities. Lunch at a local eatery from ~$2, a sea-view flat from ~$310 a month, an hour of massage for ~$6. All figures are in Vietnamese dong (VND) with a rough USD reference at ~25,000 VND = $1.
Currency and money exchange in Nha Trang
The Vietnamese dong (VND) is the only official currency. Notes run from 10,000 to 500,000 VND. The zeros stop being intimidating after a day or two: drop the last three and divide by 25 to get a rough USD figure.
The current rate
Where to change money
The best rates are usually at gold shops and private exchange counters along Trần Phú, though the rules tightened in 2026 (see below). Bank rates are typically a little worse.
- US dollars — best rate, accepted everywhere
- Euros — accepted, but the rate is less predictable
- Other currencies — changeable at tourist counters, usually at a 2–5% worse rate
Rate reference is for 2026. Confirm the live rate on the day you exchange.
Cards, ATMs and cash
Visa and Mastercard work at bigger shops, hotels and restaurants. Local cafes and markets are cash only. ATMs dispense dong with a per-withdrawal fee of 20,000–60,000 VND (~$0.80–2.40) and a limit of usually 3,000,000–5,000,000 VND per transaction. Bring a card that reimburses ATM fees, and always keep some cash on you — most day-to-day spending here is physical dong.
Food prices in Nha Trang
Food is where the savings live. A local plate lunch costs ~$1.50–2, while a seafront restaurant runs ~$25–55 for two. Fresh seafood is the local flex, and it's cheap by the kilo at the fish markets.
Street food and local cafes
| Dish | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Pho bo / pho ga (noodle soup) | 45,000–60,000 | ~$1.80–2.40 |
| Banh mi (filled baguette) | 20,000–40,000 | ~$0.80–1.60 |
| Bun cha (noodles with pork) | 35,000–50,000 | ~$1.40–2 |
| Com tam (rice with meat) | 30,000–50,000 | ~$1.20–2 |
| Bo ne (sizzling breakfast) | 50,000–65,000 | ~$2–2.60 |
| Fried rice / noodles | 30,000–50,000 | ~$1.20–2 |
| Coffee (Vietnamese filter) | 15,000–25,000 | ~$0.60–1 |
| Fresh juice / smoothie | 15,000–30,000 | ~$0.60–1.20 |
| Fresh coconut | 10,000–15,000 | ~$0.40–0.60 |
💬 "Two of us spent about $510 on food for a whole month in Nha Trang — cafe meals, delivery, fruit. That's under $9 a person a day, a fraction of what we'd pay back home." — long-stay traveller accounts, 2025–2026
Restaurants and cafes
| Where | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Local cafe | 50,000–75,000 | ~$2–3 |
| Mid-range restaurant | 200,000–400,000 | ~$8–16 |
| Seafront restaurant (for two) | 400,000–800,000 | ~$16–32 |
| Steak | 360,000–520,000 | ~$14–21 |
| Pasta / burger | 90,000–150,000 | ~$3.60–6 |
For a special evening, try La Villa (Mediterranean) or Sailing Club on the beach with three kitchens. The Titan Sky Lounge rooftop has the best sunset views over a glass of wine.
Seafood
Nha Trang is a paradise for fresh seafood. The best prices are at the fish markets, but the "pick it and we'll cook it" restaurants are fun too.
| Item | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Raw oysters (6) | from 80,000 | from ~$3.20 |
| Grilled oysters with cheese (6) | from 100,000 | from ~$4 |
| Prawns (1 kg) | 160,000–250,000 | ~$6.40–10 |
| Clams / snails (1 kg) | from 200,000 | from ~$8 |
| Grilled lobster | from 300,000 | from ~$12 |
Groceries at markets and supermarkets
| Item | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (1 kg) | 18,000–26,000 | ~$0.70–1 |
| Bread (500 g) | 9,000–15,000 | ~$0.35–0.60 |
| Eggs (10) | 24,000–40,000 | ~$1–1.60 |
| Milk (1 L) | 20,000–50,000 | ~$0.80–2 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | 65,000–100,000 | ~$2.60–4 |
| Pork (1 kg) | 90,000–188,000 | ~$3.60–7.50 |
| Beef (1 kg) | 200,000–420,000 | ~$8–17 |
| Mango (1 kg) | 20,000–25,000 | ~$0.80–1 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 15,000–30,000 | ~$0.60–1.20 |
| Pineapple (peeled) | 15,000–25,000 | ~$0.60–1 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 25,000–35,000 | ~$1–1.40 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 15,000–35,000 | ~$0.60–1.40 |
Nha Trang's markets:
- Cho Dam (Chợ Đầm)— the city's biggest market: groceries, clothes, souvenirs. Haggling is expected; you can knock 30–40% off the opening price.
- Xom Moi (Xóm Mới) — the non-touristy market, mostly Vietnamese shoppers. Prices are lower than at Cho Dam.
- Vinh Hai — a seafood market in the north. Prawns and fish straight from the boats.
Supermarkets with fixed prices: GO! and Mega Market — handy for price-checking and big shops.
Drinks and alcohol
| Item | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Saigon beer (0.33 L) | 12,000–15,000 | ~$0.50–0.60 |
| Imported beer (0.33 L) | 25,000–90,000 | ~$1–3.60 |
| Draught beer (0.5 L) | 15,000–40,000 | ~$0.60–1.60 |
| Water (0.5 L) | 5,000–6,000 | ~$0.20–0.25 |
| Water (1.5 L) | 8,000–13,000 | ~$0.30–0.50 |
| Coca-Cola (1.5 L) | 19,200 | ~$0.75 |
| Cappuccino (cafe) | 25,000–75,000 | ~$1–3 |
| Wine (bottle) | 150,000–300,000 | ~$6–12 |
| Rum (Chanh) | 60,000–100,000 | ~$2.40–4 |
| Marlboro (pack) | 40,000 | ~$1.60 |
Beer in Vietnam is among the cheapest in the world. A can of local Saigon or Tiger from a shop costs around $0.50.
By the Expatistan index, Vietnam has held the top spot for affordability for five years running. Groceries and drinks here run 50–60% below the European average.
Accommodation in Nha Trang
Hotels — from hostels to 5★
Four-star hotels in Nha Trang are the sweet spot for value. For ~$30–40 you get a pool, breakfast and a room with a view.
💬 "Regalia Gold 5★ in Nha Trang was $30–50 a night — rooftop pool, buffet breakfast, a room facing the bay. Hard to match that back home." — summary of Booking and TripAdvisor reviews, 2025–2026
Renting a flat by the month
| Type | Area | VND/mo | ~USD/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Edge of town | 5,000,000–7,000,000 | ~$200–280 |
| 1-bedroom | Central | 7,500,000–15,800,000 | ~$300–630 |
| 2-bedroom, sea view | Central | 12,000,000–17,000,000 | ~$480–680 |
| 2-bedroom | North | 8,500,000 | ~$340 |
| 3-bedroom | Central | 15,000,000–36,700,000 | ~$600–1,470 |
The minimum lease is one month. Utilities (water, electricity, rubbish) for an 85 m² flat run 1,300,000–3,000,000 VND/month (~$50–120). Electricity is the big line item, thanks to the air-con.
Central or north — where's the better value
| Factor | Central (Trần Phú) | North (Hòn Chồng) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed rent | ~$400–590 | ~$230–340 |
| Beach access | 5–10 min | 5–10 min |
| Vibe | Restaurants, malls, nightlife | Quiet, residential, expat pockets |
| Groceries | 10–15% pricier | Cheaper, Vinh Hai market |
The north is popular with long-stayers: rent is $100–150 lower, the beaches are less crowded, and it's quieter overall.
By long-stay accounts, the first month in Nha Trang costs roughly $1,700 for a couple — that includes the flat deposit and setup. From the second month, spending settles around $1,300: rent, food, transport and going out.
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
In winter, immigration lines run 60–90 min. With Fast Track you’re met at the aircraft and taken through the priority lane. Arrange it before you fly.
Telegram managerTransport — prices and options
Getting around town
| Ride | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| City bus | 8,000–9,000 | ~$0.35 |
| Suburban bus | 24,000 | ~$1 |
| Taxi (flagfall) | 10,000–15,000 | ~$0.40–0.60 |
| Taxi (per km) | 9,000–15,000 | ~$0.35–0.60 |
| Bike taxi (10-min ride) | 15,000–20,000 | ~$0.60–0.80 |
Grabworks in Nha Trang, but there are fewer cars than in Ho Chi Minh City. Fares start around 20,000 VND per km (~$0.80). It's most useful for rides over 5 km. The app is in English and you pay by card or cash.
Renting a scooter
The most popular way to get around for travellers and long-stayers.
| Option | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Scooter (per day) | 120,000–200,000 | ~$5–8 |
| Scooter (7+ days) | 150,000/day | ~$6/day |
| Scooter (month) | 1,000,000–1,500,000 | ~$40–60 |
| 150cc motorbike (per day) | 550,000 | ~$22 |
| Petrol (1 L) | 21,000–25,000 | ~$0.85–1 |
A full tank (4–5 L) costs about 100,000 VND (~$4) and lasts 150–200 km. To rent, you'll leave your passport as a deposit or pay a $50–100 cash deposit. Note that many rentals ask for an International Driving Permit, and Vietnam only recognises IDPs under the 1968 convention — check your licence before you ride.
From Cam Ranh airport to Nha Trang
The distance is 38 km, about 50 minutes by road. Cam Ranh is the airport that serves Nha Trang.
💬 "We landed at night and Grab couldn't find a car for 15 minutes. Took a counter taxi for 350,000 VND and were at the hotel in 50 minutes. Grab is fine by day, but from the airport a fixed taxi is safer." — a common traveller experience, 2025
Things to do — attraction prices
VinWonders (Vinpearl) theme park
Nha Trang's headline attraction, on Hon Tre island. You get there by cable car, included in the ticket.
| Ticket | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 950,000 | ~$38 |
| After 16:00 | ~710,000 | ~$28 |
| Kids 100–140 cm, 60+ | 710,000 | ~$28 |
| Kids under 100 cm | free | free |
Inside: a water park, zoo, aquarium with shows, rides and a fountain show. Easily a full day. Food inside starts at 100,000 VND (~$4).
Museums and sights
| Sight | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Po Nagar Towers | 30,000 | ~$1.20 |
| Hon Chong rock garden | 30,000 | ~$1.20 |
| Oceanography Museum | 40,000 | ~$1.60 |
| Yersin Museum | 20,000 | ~$0.80 |
| Cinema | 50,000 | ~$2 |
Beaches and water sports
The city beach is free. A sun lounger is 50,000 VND (~$2).
Tours
Popular routes: the islands of Nha Trang bay, Ba Ho waterfalls, Thap Ba hot springs and the I-Resort mud baths.
Massage and spa — prices
A Vietnamese massage is a near-mandatory part of the programme. Nha Trang has dozens of parlours, from budget to luxury.
| Treatment | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Foot massage (30–60 min) | from 150,000 | from ~$6 |
| Traditional body massage (60 min) | 200,000–300,000 | ~$8–12 |
| Blind masseur massage (70 min) | from 250,000 | from ~$10 |
| Aroma-oil massage (60 min) | 500,000–900,000 | ~$20–36 |
| Full spa programme (2–3 hrs) | 1,000,000–2,000,000 | ~$40–80 |
Trusted parlours:
- Mimosa Spa (north) — hammam, Finnish sauna, professional massage
- Sen Spa — therapeutic and relaxation massage
- Manu Spa (central) — every technique, from relaxing to sports
"Blind masseur" parlours are a distinctive Vietnamese thing. Masseurs with visual impairments read muscle tension by touch and work deeper — a heightened tactile sense that many travellers swear by.
💬 "The blind massage is my top tip in Nha Trang. An hour is from 250,000 VND (~$10) and the quality beats the regular places. One caveat — go by recommendation, since some 'blind' parlours don't actually employ visually impaired masseurs." — summary of traveller reviews, 2024–2025
Shopping — what costs what
Malls
Nha Trang has four big air-conditioned malls with food courts and cinemas:
- Gold Coast Mall — 200+ shops, on the seafront
- Nha Trang Center — shopping, cinema and food in one place
- Vincom Plaza — clothes, electronics, cosmetics
- AB Shopping Mall — 150+ shops, a food court with world cuisines
Markets
- Cho Dam (Chợ Đầm) — the main covered market. Souvenirs, clothes, spices, coffee. Tourist prices are inflated — haggle, you can realistically cut 30–50%. Come before 9:00 for the best choice and softer sellers.
- Xom Moi (Xóm Mới) — a local market, 20–30% cheaper than Cho Dam. Fruit, veg and meat in the morning. Opens at 5:00; the best produce is gone by 11:00.
- Binh Tan — a fish market straight from the boats. Prawns, squid and fish at wholesale prices. You can buy and have it cooked at a nearby eatery for 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4).
- Night market — souvenirs, street food, magnets, T-shirts. Opens at 18:00. Pricier than the day markets, but the atmosphere is worth it.
- Vinh Hai — a market in the north, near the residential areas. Local prices.
What to buy and rough prices
| Item | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee (500 g) | 80,000–150,000 | ~$3.20–6 |
| Cashews (1 kg) | 200,000 | ~$8 |
| T-shirt | 150,000–300,000 | ~$6–12 |
| Dress | 200,000–300,000 | ~$8–12 |
| Swimsuit | from 300,000 | from ~$12 |
| Conical hat (non la) | from 50,000 | from ~$2 |
| Pearl jewellery | from 200,000 | from ~$8 |
| Rum (bottle) | 60,000–100,000 | ~$2.40–4 |
Coffee and cashews are the best souvenirs from Vietnam. Prices are fixed at GO! and Mega Market; at the markets, haggle.
SIM and internet
Carriers:Viettel (best coverage), Mobifone, Vinaphone. You can grab a SIM at Cam Ranh airport on arrival, or in a carrier shop in town where it's cheaper with more plan choice — bring your passport, it's required for registration. An eSIM bought before you fly is the frictionless option. 4G covers the whole city at 20–50 Mbps.
Healthcare and dentistry
Dentistry in Nha Trang costs a fraction of Western prices at good quality, and several clinics have English-speaking staff.
Daily and trip budget
A typical day in Nha Trang — real spending
To make it concrete, here's what an ordinary mid-range day looks like:
| Time | What | VND | ~USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Street pho bo (Trần Phú area) | 45,000 | ~$1.80 |
| 9:00 | Iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) | 25,000 | ~$1 |
| 12:30 | Lunch at a cơm bình dân (rice + 2 dishes) | 40,000 | ~$1.60 |
| 15:00 | Grab to the beach and back | 60,000 | ~$2.40 |
| 17:00 | Mango smoothie on the promenade | 35,000 | ~$1.40 |
| 19:00 | Seafood at Binh Tan market (for two) | 400,000 | ~$16 |
| 21:00 | Two Saigon beers at a bar | 60,000 | ~$2.40 |
That's the mid-range version — no splurging, but comfortable. If you cook at home and ride a scooter, you can realistically land around $14–18 a day. Below are three detailed two-week scenarios.
Backpacker — 2 weeks (1 person)
Mid-range — 2 weeks (1 person)
Comfort — 2 weeks (1 person)
A month of living (couple)
These figures line up with International Living: average living costs in Vietnam's beach cities run $400–600 per person a month, including rent. Most expats spend $120–250 a month on food (Vietnam Airlines).
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SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerHow to save
- Eat like a local.Places marked "cơm bình dân" are the people's canteens. A full lunch is 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2).
- Shop the morning markets. Prices are lower and produce is fresher. Xom Moi beats Cho Dam.
- Haggle. At markets the first price for tourists is 2–3× the real one. Offer 50% and settle around 60–70%.
- Rent a scooter by the month. ~$40–60/month instead of daily taxis.
- Stay in the north.Rent is $100–150 lower, and it's quieter.
- Book hotels early. In high season (December–March) prices climb 20–40%.
- Cook at home. Market groceries cost next to nothing: rice, veg and chicken run $4–7/day for two.
- Drink local beer. Saigon and Tiger are ~$0.50 a can; imported is 3–5× more.
Living in Nha Trang as a foreigner
Nha Trang draws a steady long-stay crowd, and the practicalities of settling in are easy to sort out.
Where to live
Most long-stayers settle in the north of the city — the Hon Chong area and the streets around Nguyễn Đình Chiểu. It's quieter and cheaper. A studio starts from 4,000,000 VND/month (~$160), a two-bedroom from 7,000,000 VND/month (~$280).
Groceries and eating in
- GO! and Mega Market — the big supermarkets for fixed-price staples and imported goods.
- Xom Moi and Vinh Hai markets — fresh produce, meat and seafood at local prices.
- Local eateries in the north — a full meal for 150,000–250,000 VND (~$6–10) for two.
Healthcare
Vinmec Nha Trang is the go-to private hospital, and several clinics have English-speaking doctors; a consultation starts from around 300,000 VND (~$12). For anything serious, travel insurance is worth having.
Visas
Vietnam runs a 90-day e-visa (single or multiple entry) that most nationalities can apply for online at evisa.gov.vn. Rules and eligible countries change, so check your passport's status before you book. If you plan to stay longer than your visa allows, sort out an extension or a border run in advance.
FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Nha Trang per month for a couple?
A comfortable month for two runs about $950–1,300. That covers rent (~$310–390), food (~$450–560), transport (~$55–80) and utilities plus SIMs (~$80–130). If you're staying past your visa window, read up on extensions and border runs early.
Is Nha Trang or Da Nang cheaper?
Food and transport cost about the same. Rent in Da Nang is a touch lower — a studio can be found from 4,000,000 VND/month (~$160). Nha Trang has the long city beach and a compact centre. For a full breakdown of Da Nang with prices and neighbourhoods, see the Da Nang guide.
How much money should I bring for two weeks in Nha Trang?
Excluding flights: a backpacker from about $280, a mid-range traveller around $880, a comfortable trip from about $2,000. Add flights on top depending on your route and class.
Can I pay by card in Nha Trang?
Visa and Mastercard work at bigger hotels, malls and restaurants; local cafes, markets and stalls are cash only. ATMs dispense dong with a fee, so bring a card that reimburses ATM charges and always carry some VND. Most everyday spending here is in cash.
Where are the cheapest groceries in Nha Trang?
At Xom Moi (Xóm Mới) — the non-touristy market with local prices. Vinh Hai market in the north is the runner-up. GO! and Mega Market are the supermarkets for fixed prices and big shops.
Prices are current as of July 2026 and are a rough guide. USD figures use a reference rate of ~25,000 VND = $1 — confirm the live rate on the day.