Beaches in and around Nha Trang
The city beach, Tran Phu, is where most visitors start. It sits next to the promenade, the restaurants and the hotels. The other beaches are further away. Bai Dai lies south, Doc Let north, Nhu Tien is a quieter spot close to town, and Bai Tru is on the island of Hon Tre. Ninh Van Bay is a special case, because the resort beach there is reached by boat.
Distances come from tourism sources and depend on where you start, so use them as a guide. Water quality and lifeguard cover are not published for each beach. Swim where other people swim, follow flags and local advice, and take extra care with children.
The beaches compared
Where each one is and how you get there.
| Beach | Where | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tran Phu (city beach) | In the city | – | On foot from most city hotels |
| Bai Dai (Long Beach) | South coast | About 25 km from Nha Trang | Taxi or Grab |
| Doc Let | North coast | About 40 to 50 km | Car or tour |
| Nhu Tien | Near the city | About 10 km | Check access before you go |
| Bai Tru (Tru Beach) | Hon Tre island | – | By boat |
| Ninh Van Bay | North of the bay | About 60 minutes by road from the airport, then boat | Resort transfer by boat |
Nha Trang tours and boat trips
Bay boat days, island stops and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Each beach in detail
What the tourism sources say, and what to check yourself.
Tran Phu, the city beach
A strip of sand beside a promenade with restaurants, bars and hotels. The national tourism authority gives its length as 7 km in one article and 6 km in another, so we leave it at about 6 to 7 km. Restaurants and shops are close by, which suits short stays.
Where to stay →Bai Dai (Long Beach)
About 25 km south of the center. Sun loungers and fish restaurants are described there. No current prices for loungers are published, so ask before you sit down. Grab lists a route between Bai Dai and Nha Trang.
Airport transfers →Doc Let
A day-trip beach to the north. The national authority puts it at about 40 km and a local tourism page at 50 km, so the figure depends on the starting point. Tourism material describes shallow, calm water. That is not a safety rating, and conditions change with the weather.
Nhu Tien
Described as a secluded beach about 10 km from Nha Trang. Check public access, day passes and the travel time with your hotel or driver before you go.
Bai Tru on Hon Tre
This beach is on the island of Hon Tre, so you need a boat. Do not count on a regular public ferry, and ask your hotel or an operator how to get there. The cable car to Hon Tre is announced to stop from 26 October to 10 November 2026.
VinWonders guide →Ninh Van Bay
The Six Senses resort here is reached by about 60 minutes by road from Cam Ranh Airport and then 20 minutes by boat. It is not a free public beach, and this applies only to that resort, not to the whole peninsula or the village of Ninh Van.
All things to do →Swimming, seasons and safety
The sea is not the same all year.
Seasons
The tourism authority names January to August as the drier phase and September to December as the rainy season. In the long-term averages, October and November are the wettest months. Rain and wind can change the sea fast, so look at the forecast the day before.
Weather by month →Lifeguards
A press report mentions rescue operations by the bay management team on 9 January 2026. That does not mean every beach has lifeguards or fixed swimming hours. Swim near other people and do not go out alone.
Parking and access
Fees for beach parking and access through resorts vary. Ask before you park, and do not assume you can walk through a resort to reach the sand.
Islands
The beaches on the islands come with the rules of the bay, including a visit fee and a ban on swimming in the Hon Mun protected zone.
Islands and snorkeling →Looking for more Vietnamese beaches? An Bang beach near Hoi An is on the central coast, and Phu Quoc has its own beach guide.
Nha Trang beaches: frequently asked questions
Which beach is best for a first visit?
The Tran Phu city beach, because it is next to the hotels and restaurants. For a quieter day, Bai Dai is about 25 km south and reached by taxi or Grab.
How long is the Tran Phu beach?
Tourism sources give 6 km in one article and 7 km in another. Plan with a rough 6 to 7 km.
Is Doc Let good for children?
Tourism material describes shallow, calm water there. That is not a safety rating. Check conditions on the day, stay close to the shore and keep children in sight.
Can I reach Ninh Van Bay by road?
Only part of the way. The Six Senses resort lists about 60 minutes by road from the airport and then 20 minutes by boat, because the resort can only be reached over water.
When is the sea best for swimming?
The drier months from January to August are the favored phase. From September to December rain is heavy, with the most in November. Check the forecast and the flags rather than trusting a calendar.