Highlights
National Park
Join a guided excursion or trek through Nui Chua National Park, a breathtaking ecosystem of evergreen hills, lush ravines and tropical dry forest filled with flora and fauna - including a wide variety of birds and mammals. This huge natural conservation site spans over 29,000 hectares and is one of the country’s biggest. Alternatively, swap boots for flippers and head underwater into the East Sea, glimpsing 300 varieties of unusual coral and countless tropical fish. Or, stay afloat and kayak along the craggy coastline, dipping in and out of inlets to get a closer look at local plants and wildlife.
Nha Trang City Tour
Unearth splendid cultural attractions such as the Gothic-style Nha Trang Cathedral, the Long Son Pagoda, with its striking white Buddha statue, or the ancient complex of temples at Po Nagar Cham Towers, an exquisite feat of Cham architectural design. Call into one of the many tailor shops and have a traditional long dress or suit made-to-fit, or browse smaller stores and markets for quality, traditional handicrafts. Other local points of interest include Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre, Hon Khoi Salt Fields, Bo Ho Waterfalls and the Hon Chong Promontory – great for bracing walks. Round off your visit along the seafront and watch the sun set as you enjoy delicious Vietnamese food.
Island-Hopping
Choose from a selection of speedboat tours and explore the area’s beautiful outlying islands, visiting sleepy fishing villages and countless other attractions. Watch local fishermen at work as they farm fish, lobster and squid from their rustic floating houses, or browse fascinating exhibits of marine creatures in the Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Hon Mieu Island. Get even closer to these underwater species as you dive into the turquoise ocean off Hon Mun Island, snorkeling through a colourful marine kingdom. Pause at Bai Tranh Island to sunbathe on golden scoops of silky sands, before enjoying delicious seafood prepared from the ocean’s larder, in a scenic spot expertly chosen by your friendly skipper.
Museums
One of Nha Trang’s greatest attractions lies just 5km from the city centre: the Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam. Set in a beautifully old French-Colonial building, expect to be awed by the huge assortment of living marine creatures housed there. The ground floor is lined with tanks through which you can peer at turtles, reef sharks, seahorses, clownfish, puffers, anemones, colourful coral and huge shoals of exotic reef species. Upstairs, meanwhile, showcases various fishing artefacts, local boats and an enormous whale skeleton. Additionally, you can spot rare skeletons and preserved bodies of unique creatures, such as the dugong, as well as crocodiles and large turtles.