Last Updated on May 27, 2025 by Editor G
Nha Trang isn’t one of those cities you just pass through. It pulls you in. Maybe it’s the ocean breeze or the fact that every third local wants to feed you something grilled and delicious. Whatever it is, this coastal spot on Vietnam’s south-central coast quickly became one of my favorites.
I arrived here from Dalat, coming down the hair-raising roads with insane overtaking. I think I was felt lucky to be alive, so Nha Trang felt amazing.
If you’re headed there, or even just thinking about it, here’s what you’ve absolutely got to do. And hey, I’ve done all of these myself. Some twice. A few with a mild hangover.
Catch the sunrise at Hon Chong
First thing in the morning, before the scooters start buzzing and the day gets too hot, head out to Hon Chong. It’s a rocky little promontory just north of the city center. Big boulders, soft waves, and a whole lot of calm.
I sat there with a coffee I picked up from a tiny roadside stall nearby. The woman who made it smiled like she’d known me for years. Locals show up with their own thermoses and just sit quietly, watching the sun climb out of the sea. I joined them. Didn’t say a word. Didn’t need to.
Buddist temple Chùa Đa Bảo
If you’re in the mood for a quiet escape with almost zero tourists, Chùa Đa Bảo is your spot. This Buddhist temple is tucked up in the hills north of the city, and honestly, it feels like Nha Trang’s best-kept secret. The views alone are worth the visit.
Copyright: Travelbusy.com – view at the top of Chùa Đa Bảo
I stumbled on it almost by accident. My motorbike rental guy mentioned it with a shrug, like, “Oh yeah, there’s a nice temple up the hill.” So I went. Fifteen minutes later, I was standing in front of a giant golden Buddha, looking out over the whole bay.
The temple grounds are peaceful. Birds chirping, incense drifting, monks going about their day without fuss. I barely heard another voice while I was up there, which made the whole place feel even more serene. There’s something grounding about it; the view, the stillness, the way the breeze moves through the trees.
You can walk around freely, sit under the Bodhi trees, or just hang back and take it all in. No ticket, no pressure. Just calm. You can’t hear a single horn beeping too, which was driving me insane by this point in my trip.
If you’ve already done the busier spots like Long Son Pagoda, give Chùa Đa Bảo a shot. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t ask for much, but gives you a whole lot in return.
You do need to wear trousers though. I went in shorts and got shouted at by a grumpy lady in the restaurant at the bottom.
Get in the water (any way you can)
Look, you’re at the beach. Don’t just stand there.
I did a day tour to Hon Mun Island. The snorkeling there? Surprisingly good. Colorful reefs, loads of fish darting around. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re in Finding Nemo, this is the spot. The crew grilled lunch on the boat and handed me a cold beer like it was part of the safety briefing.
If you’re not into boats, even just wading into the water at the main beach feels amazing, it’s also cleaner than Jomtien, Thailand (the similar expat hangout in Thailand). It’s warm, salty, and soothing. Just becareful and don’t go in teh sea after drinking, I watched a guy nearly drown while sipping a a beer at Blue sea beach bar.
Try the mud baths
Yeah, I wasn’t sure about this one either. I mean, soaking in mud? Sounds like something you’d do on a dare.
But then I went to Thap Ba Hot Springs. Paid a few bucks, slipped into this giant tub of warm, grey-brown goo, and after a minute or two, I was grinning like an idiot. It’s oddly luxurious, and my skin felt ridiculously soft afterward.
Plus, it’s a great way to cool down from the heat. Or recover from too much seafood. Speaking of which…
Eat absolutely everything
There’s no polite way to say this: Nha Trang’s food will wreck your diet and ruin you for bland meals forever.
One night I wandered into the night market with nothing but a vague craving and a couple of crumpled bills in my pocket. Ended up eating grilled oysters with green onion and peanuts, banh can (tiny rice flour pancakes with egg and seafood), and a sticky sweet coconut dessert I still dream about.
Copyright: Travelbusy.com
Climb to Long Son Pagoda
There’s a giant white Buddha at the top of a hill here, watching over the city. I climbed up the stairs with a bottle of water in hand and sweat dripping down my back. It’s a bit of a workout, especially under the sun, but when you reach the top, everything slows down.
There’s a peacefulness up there. Locals come to light incense and whisper quiet prayers. I just sat on a bench and soaked it all in. Sometimes, that’s all you need to do.
Take an island-hopping tour
I know, I know. “Island tours” sound like a tourist trap. But I did one anyway and it turned out to be one of the best days I had in Nha Trang.
We hit a few islands, swam off the boat, and lounged on empty beaches with barely anyone around. At one point, the captain anchored near a coral reef, tossed in snorkel gear, and pointed. I jumped in and immediately forgot everything else.
Also, fun fact: Vietnamese people take karaoke very seriously. Someone brought a portable speaker on board and before I knew it, I was singing a duet with a grandma from Hanoi. Loudly. Badly. It was great.
Explore the Po Nagar Cham Towers
These towers are ancient. Like, over 1,200 years old. You walk in and you can just feel the history. It’s a bit quieter than the other tourist spots, which honestly made it even better for me.
I watched a traditional Cham dance show there, completely by accident. It was hypnotic. The costumes, the music, the setting… it felt like time paused for a bit. Definitely not just another sightseeing stop.
End the night with a drink and a view
After a full day, I’d usually head to a rooftop bar. Skylight is the big one here. Not cheap by Vietnamese standards, but the view is worth it. You get a full 360-degree look at the city lights, the beach, the mountains behind it all.
I ordered something fruity and frozen, kicked back in a lounge chair, and just watched the city breathe.
Gareth Evans is a travel writer and entrepreneur living life as a digital nomad. Gareth is currently living and working in Thailand.