The Perfect 3 Days Backpacking Nha Trang: Sun, Sea, and City Vibes Published 29/05/2024
by Mark Wood

EXPLORING NHA TRANG: FROM HOSTELS TO HIDDEN GEMS FOR BUDGET BACKPACKERS

Heading down the coast of Vietnam (or heading up if you started in HCMC!) is one of the most overlooked and underrated destinations I came across on my travels. Nha Trang is a beautiful modern metropolis that is often overshadowed by some of the more famous destinations on Vietnam’s typical backpacker route. Check out our comprehensive Nha Trang travel guide for backpackers for tips and insights!

I had heard a few things about Nha Trang before arriving and not many of them were overly positive. Just a place to stop for a day before moving on to the next adventure. However, upon arriving in this incredibly sunny city I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. The city is like the perfect mixtape of relaxation and fun, where skyscrapers meet chill beach vibes, great food, and fun boat trips/excursions.

Read on to find out why I think stopping for 3 days in Nha Trang might just be the best thing you didn’t know your Vietnam trip needed! I aim to highlight some of the best things to do here and I’ll let you know some of my favourite travel tips too!

Day 1: Soak Up the Sun and Explore the City

Wherever your stop before Nha Trang was, you likely had a fairly long journey to get here! Most buses arrive in the early hours of the morning and depending on where you’re staying, you probably can’t check into your room until after lunch. I recommend dropping your bags off (most places will have a luggage storage room) and indulging in some well deserved beach time. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful seafront that Nha Trang has to offer.

But wait, there's more to Nha Trang than just its beaches! Take a stroll through the city center and explore its bustling streets lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Don't forget to hit up the shopping malls for some retail therapy before hitting the vibrant atmosphere of the evening night market.

Check out our top things to do in Nha Trang to make sure you don’t miss out on the city's highlights.

There are lots of great skybars with sunset views and boujee cocktails if you fancy diving into the classier side of Nha Trang or why not join one of the many hostel pub quizzes or beer pong nights before heading out on a pub crawl!

Day 2: Sail Away & Snorkel in Paradise

Rise and shine! For Day 2 in Nha Trang I recommend leaving the city behind and setting sail on a boat trip to discover the amazing crystal clear waters and some of Vietnam’s best snorkelling spots.

Most tours usually kick off around 9 in the morning and wrap up by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. So yes, it's a full-day affair, but trust me, it's worth every minute. We booked through Fuse Hostels & Travel as we wanted to hang out with other backpackers and their tour included free flow drinks in the afternoon! It was great to have a few beers but still do lots of activities and see all the sights.

Nha Trang has over 12,00 hectares of protected marine areas and the water here isnt crazy deep so it makes it an ideal spot for both seasoned divers & newbie snorkelers alike.

Lunch is usually included with the tour and can range from fresh fruit snacks and banh mi’s to seafood platters and local delicacies depending on who you book with. 

After all that snorkelling action, you'll probably be feeling pretty tired. My advice? Head back to your hostel, kick back, and rinse off before heading out to find one of the many delicious restaurants Nha Trang has along its seafront. You can find cuisines from all over the world here, but if you really want to treat yourself why not splurge and tuck into some lobster! (It’s definitely one of the cheapest places I’ve ever seen it at a restaurant & they are sooooo good!)

Finish off your night with a massage or head out to one of the many Karaoke places for some more of the lively Nha Trang nightlife. 

Day 3: Get Cultural & Discover Nature

On the final day of our Nha Trang adventure, we're delving into the city's natural beauty and cultural heritage. Pack a day pack and wear some sturdy shoes as we embark on a journey to the breathtaking Ba Ho waterfall. Tucked away amidst lush greenery, this hidden gem is a sight to behold.

From what I could see, a handful of tours also include stops at some of the local temples and pagodas. I would highly recommend doing one of these (rather than just waterfall only) as it turns it into a full day trip & having a tour guide with you really gives you the extra bits of information that you can’t get from just visiting the areas yourself.

The tour I did with FUSE Hostels was really worthwhile, we visited Nha Trang’s oldest temple, Long Son Pagoda, and climbed the 193 steps to the giant White Gautama Buddha. The panoramic views of the city and mountain ranges were definitely worth the climb.

After this, we made our way over to the ancient Cham tower and learnt all about the fascinating history of the Cham people. From intricate architecture to sacred rituals, each site tells a story of centuries-old traditions and spiritual beliefs.

Our final stop is the Ba Ho waterfalls. Trek up to the three different lakes and enjoy a different activity at each point. Try some cliff jumping at the 1st lake, swim and chillout at the 2nd and stop for a fish massage at the 3rd whilst overlooking the falls.

Stop for a late lunch on the way back surrounded by the gorgeous Vietnamese farmland.

And there you have it! Three days of sun, sea, and fun in the vibrant city of Nha Trang. Whether you're soaking up the sunshine on the beach, exploring underwater wonders, or delving into the city's cultural heritage, there's something for every adventurous soul.

We stayed at Fuse Hostels and I would definitely recommend it to others. They have a great location, super close to the beach and the hostel had a good mix of shared rooms, cheap privates, as well as a fun bar area where we met loads of nice people. To top it off, their rooftop pool with ocean views was a great spot to cool off after a day on the beach. 

Before you go, don't forget to drop a comment below and share your own Nha Trang experiences. We'd love to hear from you! Until next time, happy travels!