| Name | a Vietnamese rendering of the Cham Aia Trang or Ra De Ea Trang, ‘reed water’, the river now called Cai |
|---|---|
| Early records | ‘Nha Trang Mon’ appears on 17th-century maps |
| Islands | Hon Lon, Hon Mot, Hon Mun, Hon Mieu and Hon Tam are among the islands of the town |
| Province | capital of Khanh Hoa province |
Vietnam – Getting to know Nha Trang
Nha Trang is best known for its palm-lined golden sand beach, which stretches for several kilometers, and its climate. The town has a warm, sunny climate; check weather by month before you go.
What to do in Nha Trang
Visit Nha Trang beach at 5am any morning and you will find a hive of activity, as the locals take a pre-breakfast swim, play badminton, practise Tai Chi or kick a football around. However, come 8 am, the sand clears, and tranquillity returns for the remainder of the day.
Take a day cruise to the nearby islands for snorkelling and a BBQ.
For those wishing to escape the beach for an hour or two, the nearby 9th century Po Nagar Cham Towers are certainly worth a visit, as is the nine-metre high Buddha, set on a hill-side overlooking the town. The Buddha was built to commemorate the nuns and monks who set themselves alight to protest against the rule of the South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem in the 1960s.
Nha Trang has no shortage of great restaurants, and the nightlife options are plentiful.
The name and the bay
Vietnamese Wikipedia explains that the name Nha Trang comes from the older Cham place name Aia Trang, or Ea Trang in Rade, meaning reed water, a name for the Cai River, which meets the sea where reeds grow. The name appears as Nha Trang Mon on a Vietnamese atlas from the second half of the 17th century. The area includes islands such as Hon Lon, Hon Mot, Hon Mun, Hon Mieu and Hon Tam. Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa province. We have not verified sunshine days, island tour prices or dive conditions, so check them before you go.
Sources (read in Vietnamese, Vietnamese Wikipedia): Nha Trang. Last checked November 2026.
Nha Trang: FAQ
Where does the name Nha Trang come from?
From the Cham name Aia Trang, meaning reed water, for the Cai River.
Which islands are near Nha Trang?
Hon Lon, Hon Mot, Hon Mun, Hon Mieu and Hon Tam, among others.
Is Nha Trang the capital of Khanh Hoa?
Yes.
When does ‘Nha Trang’ first appear on maps?
On a 17th-century atlas as Nha Trang Mon.
How many days do you need in Nha Trang?
Two to three nights for a beach stay.