As Vietnam’s premier holiday resort, Nha Trang packs a punch with its beaches, bays, and water-based activities. If you’ve only got one day in the coastal city, explore by both land and sea to make the most of your 24 hours. Here’s how.
Devote your morning to getting out on the water. Tour options, which typically last half a day, cater to every traveler type: Opt to zoom alongside the coast on a high-octane Jet Ski tour; discover some of Vietnam’s best marine life during a snorkeling trip to Hon Mun Island; sail the sea on a traditional junk boat, most of which feature an open bar; or escape the crowds during a private trip that takes you to a secluded beach for a seafood lunch.
Nha Trang may be well-known for its beaches, but it’s also got plenty of history, which is best discovered as part of a sightseeing tour. Tours tend to visit the 8th-century Po Nagar Cham Towers, named after a Hindu Champa princess; the 19th-century Long Son Pagoda, with its 80-foot-tall (24-meter-tall) Buddha; and Stone Church (Nha Tho Nui), a reminder of French colonialism in Vietnam. Choose between exploring by bike, cyclo, or air-conditioned vehicle.
Continue to enjoy the city’s seafront location on either a sunset or evening cruise, both of which reveal Nha Trang Bay at its most magical. In addition to unobstructed views of the coastline, you can enjoy a 5-course meal accompanied by free-flowing drinks or stop at a riverside restaurant instead. After you get back to dry land, head to the bars that back Nha Trang Beach for a taste of the resort’s raucous nightlife; karaoke and cocktails are in abundance here.