10 Best Things to Do in Nha Trang

Ponagar Tower, also known plurally as the Po Nagar Cham Towers and locally as Tháp Bà Ponagar, are the defining features of Nha Trang. The landmark dates back to between 8th and 11th centuries and is set atop Mount Cu Lau, with views overlooking the Cai River.

There were originally 10 buildings dedicated to Hindu deities, but most have been destroyed over the years. The 4 remaining towers, built in honour of Po Nagar, Cri Cambhu, Sanhaka, and Ganeca, are still used today as places of worship for the Cham people. Found within a 10-minute stroll from Tran Phu Beach, Po Nagar Cham Towers can get pretty crowded during the annual Thap Ba festival, which falls around the end of April and the beginning of May.

VinWonders Nha Trang Vinpearl Land offers fun-filled activities for travelling families, with unique water slides, a massive aquarium, a wave pool, amphitheatre, a shopping mall, and a variety of rides.

Situated on Hon Tre Island, the theme park is connected to the mainland of Nha Trang via a 3,320-metre sea-crossing cable car, which offers great views of the bay along the way. It’s hailed as the biggest of its kind in Vietnam.

Long Son Pagoda is a modern Buddhist pagoda in Nha Trang that features stunning designs of mosaic dragons made with glass and ceramic tiles. Founded in the late 19th century, the pagoda has a main sanctuary adorned with modern interpretations of traditional motifs.

At the top of the hill is a massive white statue of Buddha sitting atop a lotus blossom, as well as fire-ringed relief busts of Thich Quang Duc and 6 Buddhist monks who died in self-immolations in 1963. There are 150 stone steps to reach the top, but around the halfway point lies a 14-metre-long sleeping Buddha and an entrance to another hall of Long Son Pagoda.

Thap Ba Mud Bath, also referred to as Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre, is a great place to relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploring Nha Trang. It is believed that the natural hot mineral springs help detoxify and soothe fatigued muscles, remove dead skin cells, and supply minerals to the body. 

Accessible within a 15-minute drive from Nha Trang City, the establishment is fitted with private and shared mud-baths, herbal-bath, Jacuzzi, waterfall, swimming pool, and sauna. Due to its popularity, Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre can get very crowded, so the best time of day to visit is between midday and 3 pm.

Ba Ho Waterfalls is comprised of 3 natural waterfalls that end with a clear lake surrounded by dense rainforest, offering a peaceful retreat for swimming, picnics, and fishing. The waterfalls have been left in their natural state, for the most part, with several arrow pointers and cement steps set along the more challenging routes.

The site is a 40-minute drive from Nha Trang City, with wonderful stretches of coastlines and paddy fields throughout the journey. Alternatively, visitors can join a day tour, which usually offers a guided trip to prominent attractions in northern Nha Trang, including Ba Ho Waterfalls, Monkey Island, and Doc Let Beach.

Nha Trang Cathedral, set atop a hill that overlooks the train station, is widely known as the largest church in the city. It was constructed in provincial French Gothic style during the early 19th century, featuring beautiful stained-glass windows and a square clock tower surmounted by a large crucifix. Its 3 cathedral bells, which were cast in France in 1789, are still in working order.

There are also 4,000 tombstones mounted on the sides of the Cathedral, which were placed after the neighbouring cemetery was levelled in 1988 to extend the city train station. Na Thrang Cathedral serves the local Catholic community, with Mass being held between 5 am and 6.30 pm daily.

The Hon Khoi Salt Fields is one of the most unique attractions in Nha Trang, where female workers harvest mounts of natural salt from shallow fields. The harvests usually take place between the months of January and June. The fields are an hour’s drive from Nha Trang city centre, and you can find these salt fields along the way to Doc Let Beach.

Thanks to Vietnam's extensive coastline, salt production is a thriving industry in Nha Trang, generating about 737,000 tonnes every year. Hon Khoi Salt Fields are also popular spots for photography, where visitors can capture great views of the salt mountains and locals carrying heavy baskets across the fields.