Nha Trang: Self-guided itinerary 2025, costs and destinations
This itinerary is for 2-4 days, with the best time of year being from mid-March to August. It includes information on transportation from Cam Ranh airport, estimated costs, and must-see attractions such as the Po Nagar Cham Towers, Hon Mun Island, Hon Tam Island, and VinWonders.
Nha Trang is attractive with its blue sea, warm sunshine year-round, and many experiences ranging from Cham culture to coral reef diving. The best time to visit is between March and August, with reasonable costs and convenient transportation from Cam Ranh airport. Below is a schedule, costs, and practical tips to help you have a light and memorable self-guided trip to Nha Trang.
What is the best time to visit Nha Trang?
Nha Trang has a mild climate with two distinct seasons.
- Dry season (January-August): pleasant sunshine, suitable for swimming and snorkeling. April-August is peak season, so book your flights and hotels early to avoid disappointment.
- Rainy season (September-December): more rain, peaking in October-November. Actively monitor weather forecasts to adjust your itinerary.
Notable events: The Thap Ba Festival (20–23rd of the 3rd lunar month) and the Nha Trang Sea Festival are usually held in the summer of odd-numbered years.
Getting to and around Nha Trang
Arriving in Nha Trang
- By plane: Several airlines fly to Cam Ranh Airport. Flight time is 1–2 hours. The airport is about 35km from the city center; buses, taxis, or shuttle services are available.
- Reference prices: Hanoi – Nha Trang 850,000 – 2,000,000 VND/one way; round trip 1,500,000 – 3,200,000 VND. Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang 400,000 – 1,300,000 VND/one way; round trip 600,000 – 2,000,000 VND.
- Coach bus: Hanoi – Nha Trang 500,000 – 620,000 VND/one way/bed (approximately 26 hours). Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang 170,000 – 230,000 VND/one way/bed (7–8 hours, overnight travel recommended).
- Train: Hanoi – Nha Trang 500,000 – 1,400,000 VND/one way; Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang 200,000 – 600,000 VND/one way (various compartment types).
Traveling within the city and to the islands.
- Motorbike rental: 80,000 – 150,000 VND/day (manual transmission); 100,000 – 180,000 VND/day (automatic transmission). Some addresses: San Ho Viet (0934.993.599) – 44/42 Biet Thu, Tan Lap Ward; Le Oanh (0989.164.817) – 14A Mac Dinh Chi, Phuoc Tien Ward; Nha Trang Motorbike Rental 139 (0905.222.504) – Lobby B, Muong Thanh Khanh Hoa Hotel, Xuong Huan Ward.
- Taxi: There is the GREEN SM electric taxi service, hotline 1900 2088; one-way packages start from 200,000 VND to destinations such as Suoi Cat, Suoi Tien, and Bai Dai.
- Bus: VinBus has two routes to Vinpearl Nha Trang (23 and 16-2). Check the route at https://maps.vinbus.vn/nt, hotline 1900 866 663. VinBus tickets are free for Vinpearl & VinWonders guests according to applicable policy.
- Cyclo: 1 hour 30 minute tour, approximately 500,000 VND/trip, including a meal.
- Canoe/Boat: Canoes with 12-35 seats cost approximately 700,000 - 2,500,000 VND depending on the route (Fish Lake, Pebble Beach, Tranh Beach, Coral Bay, Hon Tam Island, etc.). Boats with 40-49 seats cost 1,000,000 - 1,700,000 VND per trip.
- Vinpearl Nha Trang Cable Car: A quick way to get to Hon Tre Island and admire the bay from above.
Where to go in Nha Trang: culture, beaches, islands, amusement parks
In the city
- Ponagar Tower: a complex of Cham towers along the Cai River, a place to learn about the legend of the goddess Ponagar.
- Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography: over 20,000 specimens of more than 4,000 species; displays a whale skeleton nearly 26 meters long. Address: 1 Cau Da Street, Bac Nha Trang Ward (formerly Vinh Hoa Ward).
- Long Son Pagoda: a 3,000m2 area with many ancient trees and an East Asian architectural style. Address: 22 23/10 Street, Tay Nha Trang Ward (formerly Phuong Son Ward).
- Nha Trang Stone Church: a stone structure of historical and cultural value. Address: 1 Thai Nguyen Street, Nha Trang Ward (formerly Phuoc Tan Ward).
- Hon Chong: a natural rock formation stacked on top of each other. Address: North Nha Trang Ward (formerly Vinh Phuoc Ward).
Beautiful islands and bays
- Hon Tam Island: located about 7km from the city center, boasts pristine beaches and numerous water activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, and surfing. Address: Nha Trang City (formerly Vinh Nguyen Ward).
- Hon Tre Island: Vinpearl Nha Trang and VinWonders Nha Trang resort and entertainment complex; Vinpearl Harbour offers shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. Address: Hon Tre Island – Nha Trang.
- Hon Mun Island: Black rocks resembling ebony wood, white sandy beaches, calm waves, famous for its water sports activities.
- Yen Island (Hon Noi): a unique double beach, managed by Khanh Hoa Swiftlet Nest Company; accessible via tour. Address: 51 Phan Boi Chau Street, Nha Trang Ward (formerly Xuong Huan Ward).
VinWonders Nha Trang and the experience at sea.
- VinWonders Nha Trang: a large-scale amusement park featuring a water park, adventure rides, and cultural and culinary experiences. Address: Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang (formerly Vinh Nguyen Ward), Khanh Hoa Province.
- Vinpearl Diving Club: snorkeling, kayaking, underwater filming and photography. Address: Nha Trang (formerly Vinh Nguyen Ward), Khanh Hoa Province.
What to eat in Nha Trang?
- Seafood: Fresh and diverse. Suggestions: Binh Dan Seafood - 6 Ngo Si Lien; Nha Toi Binh Dan Seafood - 24 Ngo Quyen; Lang Chai Seafood near Bao Dai Port; Bo Ke Restaurant - 199/1 Nguyen Binh Khiem.
- Nha Trang grilled pork skewers: Dang Van Quyen grilled pork skewers – 16A Lan Ong; Nha Trang grilled pork skewers – 39 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai.
- Jellyfish noodle soup: Yersin - Ba Trieu intersection; 23A Yet Kieu; B8 Phan Boi Chau.
- Fish cake noodle soup: Ms. Ha - 14 Phan Chu Trinh; Ms. Thua - 10A Phan Chu Trinh; Phuc - 53 Van Don.
Suggested itinerary
4 days 3 nights
- Day 1: Ponagar Tower – Long Son Pagoda – Mountain Church – Oceanographic Institute – Night Market.
- Day 2: VinWonders Nha Trang.
- Day 3: Snorkeling at Vinpearl Diving Club.
- Day 4: Diep Son Island – check in at the "road in the middle of the sea".
3 days 2 nights
- Day 1: VinWonders Nha Trang.
- Day 2: Hon Mun Island – Fishing Village – Bai Tranh Beach – Dinner while watching the sunset.
- Day 3: Ponagar Tower – Oceanographic Institute – Binh Tien Island.
Reference cost
- Transportation: Hanoi flights cost 850,000 – 2,000,000 VND/one way; Ho Chi Minh City flights cost 400,000 – 1,300,000 VND/one way. Airport – city center bus: 65,000 VND/trip. Taxi (35km): approximately 200,000 – 350,000 VND. Motorbike rental: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/day. Canoe/boat: from 150,000 – 200,000 VND/trip (depending on the route).
- Accommodation: 3-star from 540,000 VND/night; 4-star from 840,000 VND/night; 5-star from 1,560,000 VND/night; resort from 1,600,000 VND/night.
- Food and drinks: a minimum of approximately 300,000 VND per day, depending on your choice.
- Total cost: based on experience with budget-friendly self-guided trips, it can range from 3,500,000 VND for 2 days and 1 night.
What to buy as a gift?
- Nha Trang fish cake: can be purchased at fish cake noodle soup restaurants (Co Ha - 14 Phan Chu Trinh; Ba Thua - 10A Phan Chu Trinh).
- Dried seafood: sun-dried squid, squid simmered in tamarind sauce, anchovies, yellowfin fish, dried shrimp… available at Xom Moi Market, Dam Market, and Sea Dried Seafood – 15 Hoang Hoa Tham.
- Bird's nest products: Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Company – 248 Thong Nhat Street; Sanest Bird's Nest Shop – 248 Thong Nhat Street; Nha Trang Bird's Nest House – 8–10 Le Thanh Phuong Street.
- Cam Ranh mango cakes: approximately 25,000 – 30,000 VND/bag of 12, available at Dam Market, Xom Market, and 11E Thai Nguyen Street.
- Fish sauce shops: 584 – 1210 Le Hong Phong; Chau Son – 48 Tan Hai; Chin Tuy – 69 Vo Thi Sau; Hanh Quyen – 1 Vo Thi Sau; Ngoc Trang – 40 Phan Boi Chau.
Practical tips for traveling to Nha Trang independently.
- Documents and payment: bring your ID card/citizen identification card, driver's license, passport (if needed); bring your ATM card, you don't need too much cash.
- Clothing and supplies: light, cool swimwear, hat, sandals; sunscreen; travel-size cosmetic kit; power bank, camera.
- Book your services early for periods 4-8 to avoid rooms/tickets being fully booked.
- Monitor the weather closely to your departure date, especially during September–December.