DONG XUAN CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Nha Trang in a Day: From a Century-Old Ocean Lab to Cham Towers and a World-Ranked Bay
A full-day shore excursion from Cam Ranh Port that visits the Oceanographic Institute, Dam Market, Truong Son Craft Village, Ponaga Temple, an ancient house, a pagoda-orphanage and a beach—this guide distills the eight-hour itinerary and practical essentials.
Nha Trang in a Day: From a Century-Old Ocean Lab to Cham Towers and a World-Ranked Bay.
This full-day shore excursion threads culture, history and coastal scenery into a compact itinerary through Nha Trang: a morning at the Oceanographic Institute, the frenetic life of Dam Market, living-craft demonstrations at Truong Son, the human warmth of a Pagoda-Orphanage, the ancient Cham towers of Ponaga Temple, a 170-year-old ancestral house, and time at a celebrated bay before returning to port.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Oceanographic Institute — a century of tropical research
Meet the group at the Institute’s front gate and step inside a research collection that dates back to the institute’s founding in 1923, where specimens and displays introduce the region’s marine life.
Truong Son Craft Village — artisans and living traditions
A hands-on window into local artistry: artisans produce hats, mats and pottery, create sand paintings and traditional instruments, and visitors can watch performances such as Cheraw dance and listen to ethnic musical concerts.
Ponaga Cham towers and a world-ranked bay
Visit Ponaga Temple, Cham towers dating to the 7th century dedicated to the goddess Ponaga, enjoy river-meets-sea panoramas and end the afternoon at a beach noted in the itinerary as the 29th most beautiful bay in the world.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The day unfolds as a sequence of short, vivid encounters: a guided visit to the Oceanographic Institute shortly after a port arrival, a walk through the dense stalls of Dam Market, a slower hour among makers and performers in Truong Son Craft Village, a shared lunch at a local restaurant, the moving visit to a Pagoda‑Orphanage, the history and viewpoints at Ponaga Temple and a final stop at an ancient house and the beach before a late‑afternoon return to port.
THE SCIENCE
Oceanographic Institute — a century of tropical research
Meet the group at the Institute’s front gate and step inside a research collection that dates back to the institute’s founding in 1923, where specimens and displays introduce the region’s marine life.
THE CRAFTS
Truong Son Craft Village — artisans and living traditions
A hands-on window into local artistry: artisans produce hats, mats and pottery, create sand paintings and traditional instruments, and visitors can watch performances such as Cheraw dance and listen to ethnic musical concerts.
THE HERITAGE
Ponaga Cham towers and a world-ranked bay
Visit Ponaga Temple, Cham towers dating to the 7th century dedicated to the goddess Ponaga, enjoy river-meets-sea panoramas and end the afternoon at a beach noted in the itinerary as the 29th most beautiful bay in the world.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this shore excursion—and any limits to consider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is an eight‑hour shore excursion; the program begins at 09:00 with the group meeting at the Oceanographic Institute gate and concludes with a return to port around 15:00.
Lunch is provided as part of the itinerary at a local restaurant.
The tour operates from Cam Ranh Port with a short walk from the pier to the Oceanographic Institute meeting point; the route covers markets, villages, temples, an ancient house and the beach.
The afternoon stop at the beach allows for swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on a deck chair according to the itinerary.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do we meet for the tour?
The meeting point is at Cam Ranh Port; the guide will welcome guests at the Oceanographic Institute’s front gate, a short five‑minute walk from the pier.
How long does the excursion last?
The full outing lasts approximately eight hours.
Is food included?
Yes — a lunch at a local restaurant is included in the itinerary.
What sites are visited?
Highlights include the Oceanographic Institute, Dam Market, Truong Son Craft Village, a Pagoda‑Orphanage, Ponaga Temple, an Ancient House, and a beach.
When do we return to the port?
The tour concludes with a return to the port at approximately 15:00.
Who operates the excursion?
The program is operated by A Taste of Hanoi as listed in the trip details.