Nha Trang City & Ba Ho Waterfall Tour by Car – Cruise Pickup

Summary

Private Nha Trang Day Trip: Temples, Waterfalls & Local Life

You’ll get picked up right at the cruise port and dive into Nha Trang’s real side—temples with city views, ancient towers, countryside bridges, cool waterfall swims, and bustling markets. It’s a full day of local sights and flavors with a friendly guide who knows all the shortcuts.

What’s the experience like?

Right after stepping off the cruise ship in Nha Trang, our guide was already waving at us near the harbor exit. The air had that salty tang you only get near the sea, and honestly, I was glad for the breeze—it gets warm fast here. We hopped into a comfy car and headed straight to Long Son Pagoda. The walk up to the giant Buddha statue is a bit of a climb, but you get this wide view over the city that’s worth every step. I could hear monks chanting softly somewhere below, and a couple of locals were lighting incense at the base. Our guide, Linh, pointed out a tiny stall selling sweet lotus tea—she said it’s her favorite on hot mornings.

Next up: Po Nagar Cham Towers. These ancient brick towers are older than most things I’ve seen in Vietnam—built before 781 CE, Linh told us. The smell of burning sandalwood drifted around as we wandered between the towers. There’s a spot where you can see the river winding past below; I snapped a photo there because the light was just right. Afterward, we stopped at an old wooden house tucked behind some banana trees. The owner sliced up fresh mango and dragonfruit for us while Linh shared stories about how the house survived storms back in the ‘80s.

The drive out to Ba Ho Waterfalls took maybe 40 minutes—windows down, countryside rolling by. We passed a mat-weaving village and even crossed this long wooden bridge that creaked under our wheels (Linh laughed and said it always sounds scarier than it is). At Ba Ho, the path is rocky but not too tough if you take your time. The water was cool and clear—I dipped my feet in while some kids splashed nearby. You can hear cicadas buzzing and birds calling from the trees overhead.

On our way back to town, we stopped at Hon Chong Promontory. Huge rocks piled up like they’d been dropped there by giants. There’s a legend about a fisherman and his handprint on one of the stones; Linh told it as we watched waves slap against the rocks. Just before heading to Dam Market, we grabbed iced coffee from a street vendor (strong stuff—don’t drink it too fast). Dam Market itself is busy and loud; you’ll see everything from silk scarves to dried squid hanging in bunches. I picked up some candied ginger for my aunt.

We wrapped up with a quick visit to I-Resort Hot Mineral Springs—not enough time for a soak, but just enough to see families relaxing in the pools and smell that faint mineral scent in the air. Linh made sure we were back at the port with time to spare before our ship left. If you want to see Nha Trang beyond just beaches, this tour really covers it all—temples, waterfalls, markets, and those little slices of daily life you’d miss on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nha Trang City and Waterfalls Tour

• Visit Long Son Pagoda
• Explore Po Nagar Cham Towers
• Tour Wooden Old House with Fruit
• Hike and Swim at Ba Ho Waterfalls
• See Hon Chong Rock Complex
• Shop at Dam Market
• Return to Port

Top questions

How much walking is involved on this tour?

You’ll do some light walking at Long Son Pagoda (a few stairs), around Po Nagar Towers, and along trails at Ba Ho Waterfalls. Nothing too strenuous if you take your time.

Is lunch included? What kind of food will we get?

Yes! Lunch is included—usually local Vietnamese dishes like grilled pork or fish, rice, veggies, and fresh fruit. Let us know if you have dietary needs.

Will I be back in time for my cruise ship departure?

Absolutely. We always track your ship’s schedule and make sure you’re back at port with time to spare.

Can I buy souvenirs during the tour?

Definitely! Dam Market has lots of options—clothes, snacks, gifts. Just bring some cash for shopping.

What’s included

Your day includes private car transport with port pickup/drop-off, a knowledgeable local guide (English-speaking), all entrance fees and taxes covered, lunch at a local spot, bottled water along the way, plus plenty of chances to try local snacks if you want. We’ll handle all logistics—you just enjoy Nha Trang!