Nha Trang travel guide

Nha Trang's airport is at Cam Ranh, about 35 km from the city, so work out your arrival-day transfer time first.

The airport shuttle bus takes 50 to 60 minutes to the city. The Po Nagar Cham Towers are about 2 km from the centre, with admission of 30,000 dong.

Po Nagar is open 6:00 to 18:00, closing at 17:30 from October to December; Long Son Pagoda is free and open 7:00 to 17:30. Check visa requirements for Vietnam on the official sources before you travel.

Visa and entry requirements for Vietnam

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Vietnam e-visa and immigration portal (Vietnam Immigration Department)
• Apply for an e-visa (fees) (Vietnam Immigration Department)

Cam Ranh International Airport is about 35 km from central Nha Trang, not 30 km. The shuttle bus takes 50 to 60 minutes to the city, and many people with lots of luggage use a taxi or a pre-booked car. The number 18 Dat Moi bus from Cam Ranh airport to the city is listed at 50,000 dong, but some listings show 75,000 dong, so check the current fare at the airport counter.

Route 18 passes the 19/8 Stadium and the library area on Tran Hung Dao Street on its way to Cam Ranh airport, and the Khanh Hoa provincial tourism portal gives a journey time of about 50 to 60 minutes. Frequency and timetables have not been published, so check current times at the airport information counter or the stop. If your flight arrives late at night, don't rely on the bus; consider a taxi or a pre-booked car.

The Po Nagar Cham Towers, about 2 km from the centre, cost 30,000 dong. They are open 6:00 to 18:00, closing at 17:30 from October to December. If you arrive in the late afternoon, see the towers first and leave the beach for sunset. Long Son Pagoda is free and open 7:00 to 17:30 according to the provincial tourism portal; if you combine it with Po Nagar on the same day, go first to the one that closes earlier.

Based on Cam Ranh airport and airline information. Prices may change.

With 2 nights: on day one, get from the airport into the city, drop your bags, see Po Nagar and walk the beach at sunset. Use day two for the beach and city meals. Day three is your airport transfer, so allow plenty of time.

With 4 nights: keep the first two days in the same order and leave day three free for a full-day trip such as an island-hopping tour. On day four, rest near your hotel and head to the airport.

Plan meals in Nha Trang around banh xeo, bun ca (fish noodle soup) and grilled seafood. Have noodles or pancakes for lunch and grilled food for dinner, so meals don't clash with your moves. We don't pick specific shops or prices here.

Entry rules for Vietnam depend on your nationality; check visa exemption or e-visa requirements on the official sources below before you travel.

Po Nagar closes at 17:30 from October to December, so go there first on a late-afternoon arrival day. Airport bus fares differ between listings, so check at the counter after you arrive.

Before you leave Nha Trang

• Check entry requirements on the official sources
• Check Po Nagar's closing time
• Check the airport bus fare at the counter

• First time in Nha Trang: keep day one light with the transfer, Po Nagar and the beach.
• Worried about the airport transfer: it's about 35 km and 50 to 60 minutes by shuttle, so leave a margin.
• Doing an island tour: with 4 nights, keep day three free for island hopping.