Nha Trang: Private Shore Excursion with Local Lunch & Guide

Summary

Private nha trang city tour with guide lunch & port pickup

You’ll wander ancient Cham towers wrapped in incense smoke, climb to hilltop pagodas with sweeping views, taste real Vietnamese dishes over lunch, and dive into Nha Trang’s lively market scene—all with a local guide who shares stories along the way. This private shore excursion includes port pickup and drop-off so you can just focus on soaking it all in—moments you’ll remember long after your ship sails.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled off the ship at Cau Da Port and there was our guide, Hien, waving a little sign with my name. She handed us cold water right away — I didn’t realize how sticky the air would feel even before 9am. First stop was Hon Chong. The rocks looked almost accidental, like someone had stacked them for fun ages ago. Hien told us about the legend of the giant’s handprint (I tried to spot it — maybe I did?). There were families picnicking nearby and a guy selling sweet iced coffee from a cart. I can still smell that coffee mixed with salty sea air.

Walking up to Po Nagar Cham Towers, I got distracted by incense smoke curling around old bricks. It’s wild to think these towers have been here since the 7th century — Hien said nobody really knows how they built them so precisely. We wandered quietly for a bit; I liked that she let us just look without rushing. Then Long Son Pagoda — honestly, climbing those steps in the heat was no joke, but seeing that huge white Buddha at the top made me forget about my legs for a second. Some kids were giggling nearby, trying to ring the big brass bell (they weren’t tall enough).

Lunch was in this small place where they brought out more dishes than we could finish — crispy spring rolls, grilled fish with herbs, rice that tasted faintly smoky. Hien showed me how to wrap everything up in lettuce leaves; she laughed when I tried to say “cam on” properly (I probably didn’t). After eating we hit Dam Market — it’s loud and colorful and smells like fruit and fish and something fried all at once. I bought dried mangoes from a woman who smiled but didn’t say much.

The National Oceanographic Museum felt kind of faded but fascinating — jars of odd sea creatures lined up everywhere, some so tiny you had to squint. The building itself is old French colonial style; you can almost imagine scientists in white coats wandering around back then. Last stop was Stone Church — cool inside after all that sun outside, stained glass throwing weird colors on the floor. We ended up just sitting there quietly for a minute before heading back to port. I still think about that view from Hon Chong sometimes, honestly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nha Trang City Highlights

• Visit Hon Chong Rocks
• Explore Po Nagar Cham Towers
• Tour Long Son Pagoda
• Visit National Oceanographic Museum
• Shop at Dam Market
• View Tram Huong Tower (pass by)
• See Stone Church (Nha Tho Nui)

Top questions

Is port pickup included in this Nha Trang shore excursion?

Yes, private pickup and drop-off at Cau Da Port are included.

What attractions are visited on this private Nha Trang tour?

You’ll visit Hon Chong Rocks, Po Nagar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, Dam Market, National Oceanographic Museum, and Stone Church.

Does this Nha Trang day trip include lunch?

Yes, a Vietnamese cuisine lunch is included during the tour.

How long does the Nha Trang city tour last?

The full-day tour covers major sites at a relaxed pace; exact duration depends on your ship schedule.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels though there are some steps at pagodas.

Will we have an English-speaking guide?

Yes, your professional local guide speaks English.

Are entry fees covered in this private shore excursion?

All entrance fees and taxes are included in your booking.

Can we customize or adjust stops during the day?

The tour is private and flexible—just ask your guide if you want to linger or skip something.

What’s included

Your day includes private port pickup and drop-off at Cau Da Port, all entry fees and taxes covered throughout Nha Trang’s main sites, bottled water along the way to keep you cool, a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant (with plenty of dishes), plus your own professional local guide making sure everything runs smoothly until you’re back at your ship.