Nha Trang 1-day itinerary

Start with a bowl of bun ca (fish noodle soup) at a street-side stall near Tran Phu Beach — Nha Trang's signature breakfast dish costs just 30,000–40,000 VND and is packed with fresh fish, herbs, and rice noodles. Walk along the 7km Tran Phu beachfront promenade as the city wakes up — locals practise tai chi on the sand, fishermen haul in their morning catch, and the turquoise South China Sea sparkles in the early light. Rent a sunbed (50,000 VND) or spread a towel on the free public beach. The water is warm (26–30°C) and calm in the morning before afternoon winds pick up.

Take a taxi (30,000 VND) or walk 2km north to the Po Nagar Cham Towers — a stunning 8th-century Hindu temple complex built by the ancient Cham civilization on a hill overlooking the Cai River. Entry is 22,000 VND. Four brick towers remain, dedicated to the goddess Yang Ino Po Nagar. The carvings are beautifully preserved and the hilltop views over Nha Trang and the fishing harbour are spectacular. Incense smoke drifts through the towers as local worshippers still use this as an active temple. Allow 45 minutes to explore. Afterwards, cross the bridge for lunch at Lanterns Vietnamese restaurant — pho and spring rolls for 80,000–120,000 VND.

Head to Thap Ba Hot Springs (taxi 40,000 VND from the centre) for a mineral mud bath — one of Nha Trang's most unique experiences. A private mud bath for two costs 400,000–600,000 VND and includes a hot mineral pool, herbal bath, and waterfall pool. The warm volcanic mud is genuinely relaxing after a day of walking. Return to the beachfront for dinner at Nha Trang Xua on Tran Phu — an open-air seafood restaurant where you choose your fish, lobster, or prawns from the live tanks. A full seafood spread costs 200,000–400,000 VND per person. The beachfront bars along Tran Phu come alive after 9pm.