Nha Trang Travel Guide

Other Things to See and Do in Nha Trang

1. Relax in the hot springs

Hot springs and mud bathing are popular in Nha Trang. Locals believe that the mud has healing powers due to its composition of rocks and volcanic ash. You’ll sit in a stone tub while a pipe showers you with soft, fast-flowing mud. There are plenty of options of hot springs to choose from including an egg-themed hot spring where you can bathe in egg-shaped pods. Prices vary but expect to pay at least 180,000 VND per person. Most tickets include a towel but ask ahead of time in case you need to bring your own.

2. Head to Yang Bay

Yang Bay is an eco-park just outside of Nha Trang. Once you get here you will find three different sets of waterfalls: Yang Bay, Yang Khang, and Ho Cho. However, reaching these falls takes a little work. Surrounded by dense forest and mountainous terrain, it’s slightly off the beaten track and makes for an exciting day trip (it’s around one hour from the city by car). You can take a taxi from Nha Trang to get here or join a guided tour (your hostel can help you organize this). Tickets start from 150,000 VND.

3. Visit the National Oceanographic Museum

At the far south end of Nha Trang is the National Oceanographic Museum. It’s ideal for those who do not want to go diving as there is a marine biodiversity showroom with 300 types of marine species and displays educating the public on how to do a better job protecting the ocean. One of the highlights are the tanks with (live) reef sharks, seals, turtles, and more. It’s a fun and educational way to spend a few hours when the weather isn’t great. Admission is 40,000 VND.

4. Shop in Cho Dam Market

The Cho Dam open-air market has the best shopping in Nha Trang (it’s the biggest market in the city too). With vendors selling fresh produce, fish, and everything from fake designer gear to watches, I highly recommend that you put on your bargaining hat and see what you can find. There are also lots of places to eat here so bring an appetite. Located right off of Ben Cho Street, it’s open from 5am to 6pm.

5. Visit the Alexandre Yersin Museum

Dr. Yersin (1863–1943) was a Swiss scientist who came to Vietnam in the late 19th century to study sick animals. He is most renowned for having co-discovered the bacteria responsible for the bubonic plague, and he also founded the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang, which handles vaccination and hygiene programs for the area. This small museum showcases his work and findings. It’s super educational and doesn’t take long to see. Admission is around 26,000 VND.

6. Hike to the Bao Dai Villas

These villas were originally built for Emperor Bao Dai in the early 1900s. They are perched on top of a small hill, and although the villas aren’t really worth checking out, the view is. From the top, you’ll have an awesome panorama of Nha Trang Bay. Pack a snack, bring your camera, and soak up the view overlooking the city and ocean.

Nha Trang Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels start at 100,000 VND per night for a bed in a 4-8 person dorm. Hostels usually have free Wi-Fi, outdoor bar areas, and (sometimes) free breakfast. Private rooms cost around 250,000 VND per night for a double. Only a few hostels offer self-catering facilities for cooking your own meals as eating out here is so cheap you don’t really need to cook during your stay.

Budget hotel prices – Expect to pay at least 400,000 VND for a two-star hotel room. Free Wi-Fi is standard, and a handful of budget hotels also include free breakfast. Many are right near the beach too, though prices are generally a bit higher here.

Airbnb is available in the city with private rooms costing around 325,000 VND per night. For an entire home/apartment, expect to pay at least 480,000 VND. Prices double when not booked in advance so book early to find the best deals.

Food – Vietnamese cuisine uses a lot of noodles, rice, fish, and fresh herbs. Wonton noodle soup, beef stew, chicken curry, fish and seafood, and grilled pork are just some of the popular dishes you’ll find here — on top of the ubiquitous pho and ban mi (French bread) of course. Common ingredients include ginger, coriander, chili, lime, lemongrass, and Thai basil leaves.

Street food starts at under 25,000 VND while Western food is usually triple or quadruple that price (or more). Fast food is around 100,000 VND for a combo meal.

If you want to splash out, a three-course meal with a drink starts at around 250,000 VND. Chinese food starts at around 40,000 VND for a main dish while a large pizza starts at 150,000-200,000 VND.

Beer costs around 25,000 VND while a latte or cappuccino costs around 45,000 VND. Bottled water is around 8,000 VND.

I don’t recommend cooking your own food here since eating out is so cheap in the city. You’ll get better food and less expensive prices. Just enjoy the food stalls and vendors.

Backpacking Nha Trang Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, expect to spend 450,000 VND per day. This covers staying in a hostel dorm, eating street food for all your meals, limiting your drinking, taking the public bus everywhere, and sticking to cheap activities like hanging out at the beach and visiting the pagodas. If you plan on drinking, add another 25,000-50,000 VND to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 1,325,000 VND per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, eat out at some Western places, drink more, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like scuba diving or a booze cruise.

On a “luxury” budget of 2,400,000 VND per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you want, take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Nha Trang Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Nha Trang, like the rest of Vietnam, is incredibly budget-friendly. But, as it’s a touristy place, sometimes prices are a bit inflated. Here are some ways you can save money in Nha Trang during your visit:

1. Shop around for dives – There are quite a few dive shops in Nha Trang so it’s possible to hunt around for the best price and bargain with the shop owners.
2. Eat the street food – As in most of Vietnam, street food is the cheapest and most exciting local food you can find. Stick to street food to eat cheap.
3. Sleep far from the beach – Hotels and Airbnbs near the beach are more expensive than those a bit further away. Stay further away from the tourist hub to save money on accommodation.
4. Eat free breakfast – Some hostels offer free breakfast. Pick a hostel that does so to save paying for an extra meal. It won’t be anything fancy but it will be free!
5. Ask for price estimates – Not sure how much a taxi should cost? Don’t want to get ripped off at the market? Ask your hotel/hostel staff for price estimates so you don’t get ripped off when shopping.
6. Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in here is not safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with you. LifeStraw make a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Nha Trang

After COVID, there are not a ton of hostels left in the city. Here are your best options if you’re on a budget:

• Ccasa Hostel & Coffee Bar
• Bondi Beach Backpackers
• The Alley

How to Get Around Nha Trang

If you stay near the beach in Nha Trang, you likely won’t need any transportation because you can walk everywhere. It’s a very walkable town. Here are your other options for getting around:

Bus – Buses rarely cost more than 15,000 VND per journey. There are six main routes across Nha Trang. You’ll have to pay cash to the driver when you get onboard so make sure you have exact change.

Cyclo – Cyclos are three-wheeled bicycle taxis found mostly in the touristy areas around Nha Trang Beach and are suitable for short distances. They carry 1-2 people, although two people are a tight squeeze. Make sure you negotiate your fare first and expect inflated prices.

Bike rental – Cycling is one of the best ways to see Nha Trang. You can rent a bike for just as little as 25,000 VND while scooters and motorcycles start at around 100,000-150,000 VND per day.

Taxi – Taxis start at 13,000 VND and go up by around 16,000 VND per kilometer. While not expensive, they aren’t cheap relative to the cost of everything else here so skip them if you can.

Car rental – Driving here is pure chaos. I do not recommend renting a car.

When to Go to Nha Trang

Nha Trang only has two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season is from January until August, while the monsoon season is from September until December. The dry season receives very little rainfall. During monsoon season, you’re likely to experience sudden downpours each day, however, these downpours never last longer than a few hours.

Temperatures are nice year-round though and thanks to its location on the coast. It doesn’t get much higher than 30°C (86°F) here.

Between February and May is the best time to visit, with temperatures averaging between 26-27°C (79-45°F). There’s consistent sunshine every day, though it’s also more crowded. Expect some crowds and higher prices.

If you’re here specifically to dive, come between January and September. The rainfall is lowest during these months, and visibility at the dive sites is the best.

How to Stay Safe in Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a safe place to backpack and travel. Violent crime against travelers is rare. Petty theft is your biggest concern (especially in the markets) so always keep your valuables secure and out of reach.

Do NOT bring your valuables to the beach, no matter how determined you are to keep an eye on them. Things disappear there quickly.

Also, keep an eye out for thieves looking to grab your purse/bag while you’re out and about. They can sometimes be on scooters so always keep your bag across your chest and not just over one shoulder.

Overall, scams are common in Vietnam, though most are just people trying to nickel and dime you. Both children and adults work together on scams, so keep an eye out. Never get into a taxi without a meter or without agreeing on a price. The same applies to cyclos. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

The traffic here is insane (there are no traffic lights or pedestrian walkways) so you need to be careful when crossing the road. Be especially cautious at night. Accidents are super common.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). You can read more on one of the many solo female travel blogs about specific safety tips.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of safety advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you: