The best attractions in Nha Trang are set against a stunning backdrop of
white sandy beaches, verdant mountains, and untouched islands. Great
for history buffs, Nha Trang is home to remnants of the Champa Kingdom,
Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches while natural hot
springs, salt fields, and unique waterfalls offer a myriad of
sightseeing and recreational activities.
While it’s fairly easy to explore this popular Vietnam district on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle, there are numerous tour operators within Nha Trang city centre that organise day excursions to Nha Trang’s most popular attractions. Read on to discover the places that you should not leave off your travel itinerary.
While it’s fairly easy to explore this popular Vietnam district on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle, there are numerous tour operators within Nha Trang city centre that organise day excursions to Nha Trang’s most popular attractions. Read on to discover the places that you should not leave off your travel itinerary.
1. Po Nagar Cham Towers
The Po Nagar Cham Towers are the defining features of Nha Trang that
date back to between 8th and 11th centuries. Set atop Mount Cu Lau, with
views overlooking the Cai River, there were originally ten buildings
dedicated to Hindu deities, but most have been destroyed over the years.
The four 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
2. Long Son Pagoda & White Buddha
Long Son Pagoda, founded in the late 19th century, features stunning
designs of mosaic dragons made with glass and ceramic tiles while the
main sanctuary is 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 six Buddhist monks who died in self-immolations in
1963. There are 150 stone steps to reach the top, but around the half
way point lies a 14-metre-long sleeping Buddha and an entrance to
another hall of Long Son Pagoda
3. Nha Trang Cathedral
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 three 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 05:00 and 18:30 on a daily basis
4.Vinpearl Amusement Park
Vinpearl Amusement Park offers fun-filled activities for travelling
families, with unique water slides, a massive aquarium, a wave pool,
amphitheatre, 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. Hailed as the biggest of its kind in Vietnam, Vinpearl
Amusement Park’s Underwater World Aquarium houses over 300 species of
marine life. The entry fee (including return fare for cable car rides)
is priced at VND 600,000 for adults, VND 500,000 for children, and VND
480,000 for visitors above the age of 60
5. National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam offers interesting exhibits
of local marine life, including over 20,000 live and preserved marine
specimens. Established in 1922, the institute sponsors ongoing research
and community projects, such as captive breeding programmes,
preservation and regeneration of local coral reefs. The ground floor
houses glass tanks of various sizes filled with marine life such as reef
sharks, turtles, anemones, puffers, and lionfish, while the upper floor
features thousands of preserved specimens, local boats, fishing
artefacts, and an 18-metre-long whale skeleton. The museum’s entrance
fee is VND 30,000 for adults.
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