Sights and landmarks in Nha Trang

Sights and landmarks in Nha Trang

1. See

   Alexandre Yersin Museum

   This is a scientific museum of Swiss-born Dr. Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943), who arrived in Vietnam in 1891 to study infected animals. He later produced a serum from horses and buffaloes. In this museum, you will be able to view all of his work as well as his equipment. Yersin never went back to Switzerland and spent the rest of his life in Nha Trang. Don’t try to take pictures. Do respect the rules as they're quite serious here.

   Mon-Fri 07:30-11:30 and 14:00-17:00, Sat 07:30-11:30·26,000 dong

2. See

   Ba Ho Waterfalls

   A series of three waterfalls and a fast flowing river tucked away in the forest. There are limited amenities, although you can buy food like rice, chicken, beers and soft drinks. Taxis are available in Nha Trang to take you there, but it's not too difficult to find yourself and with good weather it's a pleasant drive, if you are confident on a motorbike. It's a good one hour trip from Nha Trang by motorbike through some rough, off-road tracks (especially in the wet season). The turn off from the main highway north of Nha Trang can be easy to miss (a stone pillar), but most locals along the road should be able to point it out. From the turn off it's a straight track to the river. You may want to bring some sturdy shoes to climb across the rocks and swimming gear for a dip when you get there. It will take about 45 minutes from the entrance of the tourist area to the lakes. There is an orphanage very close to the lakes (take a right turn when you get to a T-junction in the rice fields) that would really benefit from any gifts of vegetarian food (take milk, tofu, yogurt, etc.). Call Dieu An, the nun at +84 90 5823807. She speaks only Vietnamese.

   Entrance fee 20 000 dong

3. See

   Diên Khánh Citadel

   Citadel was built by French officer Olivier de Puymanel for Nguyễn Ánh in 1793. It housed royal palace, private houses, warehouses and jail. It was fenced by walls of 3.5 m height, surrounded by moats of 4-5 m deep and 10 m wide. It was built with 6 gates, but only 4 of them remain.

4. See

   Fairy Spring waterfalls

   Suối Tiên

   Fairy Spring is a small, cool stream and swimming hole much visited by local kids on weekends. The swimming hole is at the end of a short jungle walk. It is a pleasant place to visit in summer. In winter the water is too cold to swim. The stream's source is the area of Hồn Bà, the highest peak in the province. Bottled and canned drinks are available, but no food is sold here yet. The area is slowly being developed and will eventually become a resort with a hotel, bungalows, and restaurant.

   10,000 dong per person, 3,000 dong per motorbike

5. See

   Impressions Museum

   Not really a museum. 3D art paintings to interact with. Great for selfie addicts, but don't go alone! Ideally go as group of 3 or more. Two is OK, but it will be difficult to take photos of the two of you together. Not easy to find, it's on the other side of the old airport from the main tourist area. Receives mixed reviews, many consider it over-priced.

   Closed · opens 9 am·150,000 dong

6. See

   Khánh Hòa Museum

   Exhibition presents Cham statues and artifacts of the ethnic minorities of the Nha Trang area. One of the rooms is devoted to Ho Chi Minh and his personal belongings.

   Mon Wed Fri Sun 08:00-11:00, 14:00–17:00

7. See

   Long Son Pagoda

   At this pagoda, you will see a 24-m-tall white Buddha. The pagoda was established in 1963 to honour the monks and nuns who died demonstrating against the Diem government. Beware of scammers claiming they are students studying in the temple, demanding that you offer a donation to the school before going up the pagoda. These students have no affiliation with the school and entry to the pagoda is free.

   Closed · opens 8 am·Free

8. See

   Monkey Island

   Hon Lao

   Catch a ferry to Monkey Island (the pier is 1 km further north of island), which is full of monkeys, has a 10:00 circus and simple go-cart track.

9. See

   National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam

   This is like an aquarium with popular and rare species of the sea. A good place to bring kids as they will get to see sharks, turtles, coral reefs, lion fish, sea horses, and many other creatures.

   Closed · opens 7 am·40,000 dong

10. See

    Nha Tho Nui Cathedral

    On a hill overlooking the city, the cathedral shows the influence of French Catholicism. The Nha Trang area still has a strong Catholic population. There are Catholic shops around the cathedral.

11. See

    Po Nagar Cham Towers

    These four brick towers were built by the Cham civilization between the 7th and 12th centuries to honour Yang Ino Po Ngar, mother of the kingdom, and the aroma of incense emanating from within makes it clear that this remains a religious site for the local Buddhists of Nha Trang today. The longevity of these last vestiges of a once-dominant SE Asian civilisation should impress temple enthusiasts even if the insensitive restoration and surrounding mass of tourists don't. The small complex sits on a hill which enjoys views across Nha Trang's fishing village. It is a 20- to 25-min walk (or short motorbike ride) from the main beach strip, however be prepared to wander through the real Nha Trang, quite an abrupt change from the showy built-up beach side resort. Public Bus 4 stops near the Cham Towers.

    Closed · opens 7:30 am·30,000 dong

12. See

    Hon Ba Nature Reserve

    At the summit of Hon Ba mountain at 1,514 m above sea level.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nha Trang (CC BY-SA 4.0).