Nestled peacefully in the turquoise waters of Nha Trang Bay, Hon Tam Island emerges as a stunning natural masterpiece, harmonizing pristine beauty with world-class tourist amenities. Spanning approximately 110 hectares, this island is also known by the poetic name “Thuy Kim Island,” evoking the sparkling, precious beauty that nature has bestowed upon it. Hon Tam resembles a brilliant emerald, surrounded by lush tropical forests and a stretch of fine white sand over 1km long, creating an ideal resort space, completely separated from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Visiting Hon Tam, you will not only immerse yourself in the poetic natural scenery but also enjoy the fresh, pleasant atmosphere. The sea around the island is always calm, with gentle waves lapping the shore, creating ideal conditions for pearl farming and snorkeling to admire coral reefs. These outstanding advantages have transformed Hon Tam into a must-visit destination on any Nha Trang travel itinerary, especially for those seeking a peaceful, nature-connected retreat and unique ecotourism experiences.
Hon Tam Island Nha Trang Tourism
Hon Tam – An attractive ecotourism destination in Nha Trang (@merperle_resorts_hotels)
Best Time to Visit Hon Tam Island
Nha Trang, and especially Hon Tam, is blessed with a mild, pleasant climate year-round. Unlike Northern Vietnam with its cold winters, the weather here is typical of the South Central Coast region with a long dry season and warm temperatures. The average annual temperature fluctuates around 27°C (81°F), with August being the hottest month (28 – 31°C or 82-88°F) and March having the most pleasant temperature (around 23.7°C or 75°F).
Overall, Hon Tam’s climate is very favorable for resort tourism. You can visit this beautiful island at any time of the year. However, for a complete trip and to fully enjoy the beauty of Hon Tam, the period from March to September is considered the most ideal.
During this period, Hon Tam’s weather is extremely pleasant, not too hot, with bright golden sunshine and clear, cool sea water. This is the best time for swimming, participating in water sports, and exploring the natural beauty of the island. In addition, summer is also the peak tourist season in Nha Trang, with many unique Nha Trang events and festivals organized, bringing interesting cultural experiences to visitors.
Getting to Hon Tam Island
To reach Hon Tam, you first need to travel to Nha Trang, and then from Nha Trang, there are means of transport to the island. For visitors from afar, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Nha Trang, landing at Cam Ranh Airport. From Cam Ranh Airport, you can choose from various means of transport to reach the center of Nha Trang and continue your journey to explore Hon Tam.
Traveling from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City Center
Taxi:
Taxis are a popular and frequently chosen means of transport for tourists traveling from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang city center. Reputable taxi companies such as Mai Linh, Nha Trang Taxi, Emasco, V20… are always available at the airport. Taxi fares range from 200,000 VND to 350,000 VND per trip, depending on the type of vehicle and specific destination in the city. The advantage of taxis is comfort, privacy, and time-saving, especially suitable for family groups or those with a lot of luggage.
Bus:
If you want to save costs, the bus is a reasonable option. Bus route number 18 operates the Cam Ranh Airport – Nha Trang route with a frequency of about 48 round trips per day. The travel time by bus is about 1 hour, with a full route ticket price of 50,000 VND per trip. Buses operate from 5:30 AM to 9:50 PM, quite convenient for many flight times.
In addition, there is also an airport bus service, provided by Cam Ranh Airport itself, specializing in transporting passengers to Nha Trang city center. Airport buses usually depart about 30 minutes after each flight lands, with a ticket price of 65,000 VND per trip. This is also a economical and convenient option.
Cam Ranh Airport Bus
Bus – An economical public transport option for traveling from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang
Traveling from Nha Trang to Hon Tam Island
From Nha Trang city center, there are two main ways to get to Hon Tam:
Join an island tour:
This is a popular and convenient option, especially for tourists who want to explore many different islands in Nha Trang Bay. Island tours, especially 4-island tours, often include a stop at Hon Tam. When joining a tour, you will be picked up, sightseeing, entertained, eating, and relaxing on the island according to a pre-set schedule. This is a safe, time-saving, and effort-saving choice, while also helping you discover many other attractive destinations in Nha Trang.
Hire a private canoe (speedboat):
If you want to be proactive about time and itinerary, hiring a private canoe is an interesting option. At the wharves in Nha Trang, there are many speedboat rental services to Hon Tam. Travel time by canoe is only about 20 minutes, with a frequency of about 20 round trips per day. However, it should be noted that canoes usually stop operating after 10:00 PM. Renting a private canoe offers flexibility, privacy, and a more adventurous feeling, suitable for groups of young people or families who want to freely explore Hon Tam.
Speedboat to Hon Tam Island
Canoe – A fast and convenient means of transport to Hon Tam Island (@sunhuyn)
Essential Items to Pack for Your Self-Guided Hon Tam Trip
Although Hon Tam’s climate is mild, in the summer, the sun is quite intense, especially when outdoors or at sea. Therefore, to have a comfortable trip and protect your health, you need to prepare all necessary personal items:
- Clothing: Choose clothes made of breathable, sweat-absorbent materials such as cotton or linen. Prioritize lightweight, easy-to-move clothing for convenient participation in fun activities and swimming.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, a thin long-sleeved jacket, wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap, sunglasses are indispensable items to protect your skin and eyes from the harmful effects of sunlight.
- Personal toiletries: Swimsuit, towel, underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, comb… and other personal cosmetics.
- Medical supplies: Some basic medicines such as seasickness medicine (if you are prone to motion sickness), stomachache medicine, cold medicine, bandages, antiseptic… for emergencies.
- Personal identification: Identity card or citizen identification card, driver’s license (if renting a motorbike), plane/train/bus tickets, hotel/tour vouchers (if any).
- Cash and bank cards: You should bring some cash for small expenses and bank cards for payments at major restaurants and hotels.
- Camera, phone: To capture memorable moments during the trip. Don’t forget to bring a power bank to ensure devices are always working.
- Snacks and drinks: Although there are restaurants and eateries on the island, you should still bring some snacks and drinks to quickly replenish energy when needed, especially if traveling with young children.
Discovering Diverse Entertainment at Hon Tam
Coming to Hon Tam, visitors will be amazed by the diversity of entertainment activities. From cultural exploration and beach relaxation to adventurous water sports, Hon Tam can cater to all tastes and needs.
Hoang Hoa Village – Ancient Village in the Green Island:
Hoang Hoa Village is a unique cultural destination on Hon Tam Island, preserving the traditional values of the nation. Here, you will admire 5 ancient houses over 100 years old, restored and preserved in their original condition. Hoang Hoa Village offers a peaceful, tranquil space, completely different from the bustle of the entertainment area. Here, you can immerse yourself in the rich Vietnamese cultural space with the melodious sounds of zither and lithophone, learn about the sophisticated brocade weaving art, and traditional fine art pottery. Every year, Hoang Hoa Village is also the venue for unique cultural festivals such as the Cherry Blossom Festival, Cau Ngu Festival (Fishing Festival), and Hung King Commemoration, attracting a large number of tourists and local people to participate.
Hon Tam Beach – Resort Paradise:
Hon Tam Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Nha Trang Bay, with pristine, charming beauty. With fine white sand stretching over 1km, clear turquoise sea water, and a year-round warm climate, Hon Tam Beach is an ideal destination for relaxation and resort. Visitors can enjoy strolling on the sand, soaking in the cool water, sunbathing, or simply lying on lounge chairs under the shade of green coconut trees, enjoying the fresh air and the sound of gentle waves. Cute bamboo huts located along the beach are ideal places for you to rest, relax, and enjoy fresh coconuts.
Hon Tam Beach Nha Trang
Hon Tam Beach – Pristine, peaceful beauty (@truongxuanng_)
Exciting World of Water Sports:
Hon Tam is a paradise for those who love water sports. With crystal-clear seawater and a diverse marine ecosystem, this place offers countless exciting experiences:
- Jet ski: Enjoy the strong, exhilarating feeling of controlling a jet ski speeding across the sea.
- Parasailing: Soar in the sky, admiring the panoramic view of Hon Tam from an ideal height, an unmissable experience for those who love thrills and want to admire the beauty of the island from above. Parasailing ticket prices range from 500,000 VND – 600,000 VND/15 minutes/person.
- Seawalk (Walking underwater): A new and unique type of tourism in Hon Tam, suitable for all ages. You will be equipped with a specialized helmet and walk underwater under the guidance of a diver, exploring the magical ocean world, admiring colorful coral reefs, and touching small schools of fish with your own hands. The cost for the Seawalk experience is about 800,000 VND/15 minutes/person.
- Snorkeling: Hon Tam is one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Nha Trang. You can rent scuba tanks or snorkels to explore the colorful coral world and diverse marine life.
- Kayaking: Gently paddle a kayak on the calm sea, exploring secret lagoons, small caves along the island, and enjoying a private, romantic space.
Island Golf Course – Upscale Experience:
A special feature of Hon Tam is owning a 1.2ha golf course, a green space amidst the open sea. Hon Tam Golf Course is an ideal destination for golfers who want to satisfy their passion and enjoy relaxing moments in a beautiful natural setting.
Ideal Accommodation Options in Hon Tam
When traveling to Hon Tam, you can choose to stay at luxury hotels and resorts right on the island or choose Nha Trang hotels in the city center, convenient for traveling to the island and exploring other destinations in Nha Trang.
MerPerle Hon Tam Resort:
MerPerle Hon Tam Resort is a 5-star international standard resort, located right on Hon Tam Island. With a prime beachfront location, the resort boasts stunning views of Nha Trang Bay. Rooms at MerPerle Hon Tam Resort are luxuriously designed, spacious, fully equipped with modern amenities, offering a comfortable and upscale resort space. The resort provides a variety of high-class amenities such as an infinity pool, relaxing spa, luxury restaurant, vibrant bar, laundry service, meeting rooms… Professional, enthusiastic, and attentive staff will bring you the most wonderful resort experiences. Room rates at MerPerle Hon Tam Resort start from 3,060,000 VND/night.
MerPerle Hon Tam Resort Hon Tam Island
MerPerle Hon Tam Resort – 5-star luxury resort on Hon Tam Island
Libra Hotel Nha Trang:
Libra Hotel is a 4-star hotel located in the center of Nha Trang city. The hotel is equipped with modern facilities, including a gym, indoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar… Libra Hotel has a convenient location, close to famous attractions such as Tram Huong Tower, 2/4 Square, Dam Market… From the hotel, you can easily travel to the wharf to get to Hon Tam Island. Room rates at Libra Hotel range from 1,770,000 VND – 3,790,000 VND/night (breakfast included).
Hem Xeo Homestay:
If you want to find a cozy accommodation space, close to local culture, Hem Xeo Homestay is a worthy consideration. The homestay features traditional Vietnamese architecture, built entirely of wood, creating a rustic, simple but no less sophisticated space. Hem Xeo Homestay is located in the center of Nha Trang city, convenient for traveling to attractions and the wharf to the island. Room rates at Hem Xeo Homestay are about 990,000 VND/night.
Enjoying Diverse Cuisine in Hon Tam
Coming to Hon Tam, visitors will not only discover the magnificent natural beauty but also enjoy unique dishes, imbued with the flavors of the sea. Fresh seafood is a must-try specialty when coming to Hon Tam. You can enjoy seafood BBQ buffet parties at restaurants and hotels on the island or choose fresh seafood dishes prepared in many different styles.
In addition to seafood, Hon Tam also has many other attractive dining options. The Pool Bar is an ideal place for you to enjoy snacks, fresh drinks, and unique cocktails in a lively pool space. Hon Tam Bar is an ideal destination for those who want to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Hon Tam night, with vibrant remix music and attractive cocktails.
Important Notes for Self-Guided Hon Tam Travel
To make your self-guided Hon Tam Island trip smooth and complete, you should note a few things:
- Travel time: You should arrive at the canoe wharf at least 20 minutes before departure time to check in and settle in your seats.
- Canoe operating hours: Canoes usually stop operating after 10:00 PM, so if you want to return to the city center late at night, proactively arrange your travel time to the canoe wharf before closing time.
- Seasickness: If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare seasickness medicine and take it about 30 minutes before boarding the canoe.
- Costs: The price of tourist services on Hon Tam Island is usually higher than in Nha Trang city. You should carefully research price information and prepare a suitable budget.
- Travel time: Avoid traveling to Hon Tam during holidays to avoid crowds, high prices, and potentially reduced service quality.
- Environmental protection: Hon Tam is a beautiful island, let’s join hands to protect the environment by not littering indiscriminately, and not harming the marine ecosystem and island wildlife.
The above article has provided detailed and useful information about self-guided Hon Tam travel experiences. Hon Tam is a must-visit destination on your Nha Trang exploration journey. If you don’t have much time to plan and book services yourself, Nha Trang all-inclusive tours will be a convenient and time-saving option. Or if you want to explore freely and have more time to relax in Hon Tam, Nha Trang travel combos including transportation and hotels will be a great choice. Hope the above sharing will help you have a truly memorable Hon Tam trip with many interesting experiences!
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