Short answer: Nha Trang's own port has been closed for repairs since September 2024. Big cruise ships now dock at Cam Ranh, about 60 km south. Plan 60 to 75 minutes each way between the ship and Nha Trang city, and choose a tour that fits your docking hours with that drive included.
Cam Ranh or Nha Trang: check your berth first
This catches a lot of people out. Many websites, and some cruise brochures, still say "Nha Trang port". Most large ships berth at Cam Ranh. Some mid-size ships tender passengers to a marina near the city instead, and then the city is close.
So before you book anything, look in your cruise documents for the berth. Then send us your ship name and date, and we will time the day around it.
What is there to see in Nha Trang?
Nha Trang is a beach city. It is not Hue or Hoi An, and that is fine. Go in with that idea and you will have a nice, relaxed day. The main sights are:
- Po Nagar Cham towers (Thap Ba): brick towers from the 7th to 12th centuries, still used for worship today. Cover shoulders and knees.
- Long Son Pagoda: a pagoda from the 19th century with a big white Buddha on the hill and a view over the city.
- Hon Chong: a group of rocks by the sea at the north end of the city.
- The Stone Church: the cathedral from the French period.
- Dam Market: the city's main market. Busy and noisy, a good place to see daily life.
- The beach and seafood: lunch by the sea is part of most days here.
Which tour fits your port call?
All our Nha Trang tours are private. The times below are for the tour itself. From Cam Ranh, add about 2 to 2.5 hours for the drive there and back.
- Glimpse of Nha Trang, half day: Hon Chong, Po Nagar, the Stone Church and Dam Market. The best choice for a short call.
- Nha Trang history tour (about 4 hours, about 6 to 6.5 hours port to port from Cam Ranh): the Alexandre Yersin Museum, Long Son Pagoda, Dam Market and Po Nagar.
- Nha Trang full day: Hon Chong, Po Nagar, the Stone Church, lunch, then Long Son Pagoda and Dam Market. Only for a long call.
- Countryside and river: by motorbike out to the villages along the Cai River, where people make conical hats, incense sticks, rice paper and noodles, then dinner in town. For ships that stay into the evening.
On every tour we bring you back to the ship well before all-aboard time. Our countryside tour, for example, ends 2 hours before departure.
A few practical tips
- Clothes: Po Nagar and Long Son are places of worship. Bring something to cover shoulders and knees.
- Sun: Nha Trang is sunny and hot most of the year. Bring a hat and water.
- Money: have some Vietnamese dong for the market and small things.
- Time: with the drive from Cam Ranh, a "half day" in Nha Trang is really most of your day in port. Don't plan too much.
Not sure what fits? Send us your ship, date and docking hours and we will tell you honestly. All tours are on our Nha Trang shore excursions page. For the other ports in Vietnam, see our Vietnam cruise ports guide.
