Cam Ranh Beach is located in Cam Lam commune, Khanh Hoa. The highlight of Cam Ranh is Bai Dai, featuring a 16 km crescent-shaped coastline, conveniently close to the airport.
The sea is crystal clear, with white sandy shores and gentle waves, perfect for relaxation and beachside entertainment. Here, a complete tourism ecosystem has developed, offering a full range of services and diverse experiences.
Cam Ranh has made its mark on the global tourism map, with Bai Dai selected by National Geographic as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches on the planet, and Cam Ranh Bay recognized as one of the world’s most stunning natural bays, alongside San Francisco (USA) and Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)... In 2018, CnTraveler recommended Cam Ranh to its readers for its beautiful beaches and 300 sunny days a year. The dating show The Bachelor from ABC (USA) chose a resort in Cam Ranh as its filming location.
The best time to visit Cam Ranh is from February to August, when the weather is sunny and the sea is calm. The end of the year is the rainy season in Cam Ranh, but showers usually occur only in the late afternoon and rarely last long.
Cam Ranh is located in the southern part of Khanh Hoa province, about 30 km from the center of Nha Trang , offering convenient transportation connections.
How to Get to Cam Ranh
By Road
Visitors can reach Cam Ranh by road via National Highway 1A or the North-South Expressway (CT01). Since the completion of the Ho Chi Minh City – Cam Lam expressway segment in 2024, travel time from Ho Chi Minh City is about 6-8 hours, and from central Nha Trang about 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Popular options include sleeper buses, private cars, or motorbikes.
By Air
Cam Ranh Airport is located on Cam Ranh Beach. This is an international airport, the region’s main aviation hub, receiving direct flights from cities such as Seoul and Busan (South Korea), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Bangkok (Thailand), along with daily domestic flights by Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo Airways from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang...
Transfer time from the airport to the resorts ranges from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on location. Guests can hire taxis outside the airport (5-7 seaters) or use Vinbus and Dat Moi buses on the Cam Ranh – Nha Trang route, with stops at several points along Bai Dai.
By Train
Thong Nhat trains departing from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City stop at Nha Trang Station. From there, visitors can reach Cam Ranh by bus or taxi.
Getting Around Cam Ranh
Nguyen Tat Thanh is the main road in Cam Ranh, also known as route DT6571, connecting Cam Ranh Airport to the center of Nha Trang.
In Cam Ranh, visitors can rent motorbikes for 120,000 to 200,000 VND per day, depending on whether it’s a scooter or manual bike.
Bicycles are also available for rent, ranging from 50,000 to 120,000 VND. Rental periods are flexible—by the hour, day, or month. Various types of bicycles are offered.
Shuttle buses from each hotel or resort also take guests to certain attractions in Cam Ranh or Nha Trang. It’s recommended to contact your accommodation in advance for details.
Over the past decade, the number of hotels and resorts at Cam Ranh Beach has grown rapidly. There are now dozens of resorts, hotels, and homestays in the area, offering a wide range of lodging options, including many leading global brands.
Luxury Resorts
World-renowned hotel brands such as JW Marriott, Movenpick, Wyndham, Ana Mandara, Radisson Blu, Westin, Fusion, Melia... as well as other notable names like The Anam, Alma, Riveria, Selectum Noa, Duyen Ha... all have luxury resorts on Cam Ranh Beach.
All resorts are located along Bai Dai, featuring private beaches, a variety of room categories, and premium services such as swimming pools, spas, conference centers, entertainment hubs, sports facilities, and kids’ clubs. Rates start from 3 million VND per night.
Hotels and Homestays
In addition to luxury beachfront resorts, Cam Ranh also offers many hotels and homestays in North Cam Ranh, Cam Nghia, and along Hung Vuong Street (National Highway 1A), about 5 km from Bai Dai, accessible via Cau Moi or the Cam Ranh welcome gate.
Some recommended 2-3 star hotels include Son Hien Hotel, Lan Anh Hotel, Magnolia Cam Ranh, Trieu Khang Hotel, My Ca, Navy Hotel, Santorini Villa... Room rates range from 300,000 VND per night.
Fresh Seafood
The Thuy Trieu Lagoon area, streets near Cau Moi, and the end of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street (about 10 km from Cam Ranh Airport) are home to numerous restaurants and eateries. Guests can choose from venues such as Bo Ke Seafood, Ben Thuyen Seafood, Hai Yen Seafood, Huong Bien, Mong Uoc Seafood, Em Oi Seafood... Dishes are prepared fresh daily, with comfortable and airy seating. Average cost per person from 200,000 VND.
Cam Ranh is famous for lobster, blood cockles, oysters, various snails, abalone, and Spanish mackerel...
Local Specialties
Besides seafood, visitors to Cam Ranh should not miss local specialties such as banh xeo, grilled pork rolls, ga chi, banh can...
Banh Can
Banh can is baked in clay molds. The cakes are small, round, with a lightly crispy exterior and a soft, airy inside. Fillings are varied, including quail eggs, chicken eggs, shrimp, fresh squid, or minced pork. While baking, pork fat is brushed onto the molds for a rich aroma. The cakes are served with sweet and sour fish sauce or fermented anchovy sauce.
>> See more: Banh can for 2,000 VND in Nha Trang
Ninh Hoa Grilled Pork Rolls
Grilled pork rolls are also a local specialty. Finely ground pork thigh is mixed with shredded pork skin and richly seasoned, then shaped into long rolls and grilled over hot coals until slightly charred. When eating, diners wrap the rolls with fresh herbs, crispy rice paper, green mango, cucumber, and green banana. The dipping sauce is made from glutinous rice, soybeans, tomatoes, shrimp, pork liver... all pureed into a thick, savory blend.
Banh Xeo
Pan-fried banh xeo is usually palm-sized, with a thin, golden, crispy crust. Fillings often include whole baby squid, sea shrimp, pork belly, and bean sprouts. The dish’s flavor is a harmony of the batter’s crunch, the natural sweetness of fresh seafood, and the richness of pork fat. It is served with a light, sweet-and-sour fish sauce, and sometimes with fermented fish sauce.
>> See more: 70-year-old squid banh xeo shop in Nha Trang
In addition to the dishes above, Cam Ranh is also known for mangoes, durian, mangosteen, and many other tropical fruits.
Beach Activities
Beach activities in Cam Ranh are diverse, including thrilling water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, surfing, as well as gentler options such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and team building games like tug of war and beach volleyball.
Activities usually take place in the early morning or late afternoon along Bai Dai. Guests can check with organizers such as Sealife, Surfbase, or contact their resort in advance.
Gac Ma Soldier Memorial
The memorial was built on a 25,000 m2 site, with an investment of 130 billion VND, and phase one completed in 2017. It features a museum of 860 m2, highlighted by exhibits of portraits and artifacts of the 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battle to defend Gac Ma, part of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands (Khanh Hoa), as well as documents (including ancient books, maps, images, etc.) on Vietnam’s exploration, establishment, and exercise of sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagos.
In addition to the museum, the memorial complex includes a statue cluster, landscaped gardens, and more.
Axi Plaza Shopping Center
Opened in April 2024 and located in the heart of Bai Dai, Axi Plaza offers a variety of amenities. The grand hall and large banquet room on the 3rd floor cover 1,200m2 and can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. The 5th-floor rooftop offers a 360-degree view for receptions and events. The 4th floor features indoor and outdoor dining areas. The 1st floor is dedicated to shopping with 46 stores. Axi Plaza also has Shop Street, a new destination for entertainment, shopping, and leisure, combining a commercial street model with open seaside spaces, restaurants, cafés, and various experiential activities.
Thuy Trieu Lagoon
This is a vast lagoon stretching over a third of the Cam Ranh peninsula. The area offers lush beauty with coastal mangrove forests and a peaceful, slow-paced life on the water. In addition, the natural hot mineral springs are a popular attraction, drawing visitors with wellness services such as mineral soaking, mud baths, herbal baths, and functional rehabilitation in line with wellness travel trends.
For those seeking relaxation in a natural setting, Thuy Trieu Lagoon is just a short walk from Bai Dai.
Tu Van Shell Pagoda
Tu Van Pagoda is a popular tourist destination, inviting guests to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere. Built in 1968, it is also known as San Ho Pagoda or Shell Pagoda, as entering the grounds feels like stepping into an oceanic world, with every corner adorned with shells, clams, and coral stones. The most impressive structure is the Bao Tich Tower, designed and constructed over five years by the abbot, Venerable Thich Thong Anh, and fellow monks.
Citeaux My Ca Ancient Monastery
Located on the shores of Cam Ranh Bay, Citeaux My Ca Monastery was once a famous Catholic architectural landmark in colonial-era Vietnam, built in the Gothic style. Construction began in 1934 and was completed after four years, serving as a residence and place of worship for monks. Access was only possible by boat. Due to the impact of war, the entire monastery was relocated and has since been abandoned. Visitors can spot the monastery from the road leading to Cam Ranh Airport.
Cam Lam Mango Gardens
Cam Lam is considered the largest mango-growing region in Khanh Hoa, with thousands of hectares and many varieties from Australia, as well as Hoa Loc and Canh Nong mangoes. The best time to visit is from April to July, during the harvest season. Visitors can tour the gardens, learn about cultivation and care, and pick mangoes themselves. These areas also sell mango-based specialties such as Cam Lam mango cakes, dried mango, mango tea, and fresh mangoes.
The mango gardens are located in Cam Hai Tay or Cam Duc, 10 to 20 km from Bai Dai, depending on the area. Travel time is about 20 to 30 minutes. Note: flat shoes are recommended for the visit.
Cam Ranh Beach is drier and hotter than Nha Trang, especially from April to August. Guests should be well-prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, a light jacket, and drink plenty of water.
Bai Dai is beautiful, but some sections have strong waves and currents. Please do not swim too far from shore.
The beachfront resorts stretch along the coast, but there are fewer walking and entertainment areas compared to central Nha Trang. Distances between attractions are relatively far. For dining and entertainment, renting a motorbike or car is recommended.
Ride-hailing taxis are limited, and booking may take time, so guests should plan ahead.
Cam Ranh is more focused on relaxation, so evenings are generally quiet. For a livelier atmosphere, guests can explore entertainment areas near Nha Trang or bars at the resorts.
Source: according to vnexpress
