Phan Rang Day Trip From Nha Trang: Towers, Beach, Bus
Phan Rang is in the same province as Nha Trang since Ninh Thuan was merged into Khanh Hoa. Bus route 11 covers 116 km from Nha Trang North Bus Station to Ninh Thuan Bus Station. The tourism portal lists the Po Klong Garai towers as open 07:30 to 17:30.
On this page
Phan Rang is no longer a separate province. Ninh Thuan was merged into Khanh Hoa, so the old Phan Rang-Thap Cham area is now part of Nha Trang’s province. Route 11 buses cover 116 km between Nha Trang North Bus Station and Ninh Thuan Bus Station.
Po Klong Garai ticket price and opening hours
The Po Klong Garai towers anchor this trip. The Khanh Hoa tourism portal lists opening hours of 07:30 to 17:30. The page shows no weekday exceptions and no date.
Ticket and electric cart
A VinWonders guide of 08/07/2025 lists the ticket at VND 20,000 per adult and VND 10,000 per child under 11. It lists an electric cart at VND 25,000 per person round trip, or VND 15,000 per person per ride. The tourism portal shows no price, so confirm at the gate.
Which days it is open
The same guide says the towers open every day of the week.
What to see at Po Klong Garai
The site stands on Trau Hill (Mbuen Hala) in Do Vinh Ward, Khanh Hoa Province. Resolution 1667/NQ-UBTVQH15 merged Do Vinh ward and Nhon Son commune into a ward named Do Vinh.
The three towers
Three towers remain: the Gate Tower, the Fire Tower and the Main Tower. The Main Tower is 20.50 m high. The Gate Tower is 8.65 m high. The Fire Tower is 9.31 m high.
The towers are mainly built of red fired brick. Viet Nam News says the complex dates from the late 13th to early 14th century.
Gate, main and fire tower in detail
A VinWonders guide says most of the towers are dark red fired brick. Only the main tower is used to worship King Po Klong Garai; the gate and fire towers are not used for worship. The main tower has one main door facing east, carved with an image of the god Shiva. The fire tower has a curved roof shaped like a boat.
The legend
The same guide retells a legend in which King Po Klong Garai challenged a Khmer general to a tower-building contest instead of fighting, and won it. Treat it as a local story, not a dated record.
History and status
The portal says King Jaya Sinhavarman III built the towers around the late 13th to 14th centuries to worship the god Shiva. Viet Nam News reports that the complex and the Hoa Lai tower were designated a Special National Monument in 2016.
The statue of Po Klong Garai, worshipped inside the main tower, was recognised as a National Treasure by a decision dated 18 January 2024.
The Kate Festival
The Kate Festival starts on the 1st of the 7th month of the Cham calendar, approximately October, and lasts a month. Plan around it if you want the site in use, and ask locally about crowds on festival days.
The same guide says the Cham-calendar new-year festival, held in the first month, is also the ceremony that opens the Po Klong Garai tower.
Who the Phan Rang trip suits (and who should skip it)
- Suits readers who like Cham brick architecture: three towers survive on one hill.
- Suits a loop of towers, beach and vineyard: the towers are about 7 km and the beach about 5 km from the city.
- Suits drivers and bus riders alike: route 11 runs the full 116 km between the two bus stations.
- Suits early risers who like quiet sights: the Nam Cuong sand dunes are best between 5am and 7am, according to the national tourism authority.
- Skip it for a short half day: a VinWonders guide puts the road at nearly 2 hours each way from Nha Trang to Ninh Thuan.
- Skip the middle of the day in the dry season: the area is sun-heavy, so a hat and sunscreen are advised.
How to get to Phan Rang and the towers
By bus: route 11
The Khanh Hoa Department of Construction published a decision adjusting bus route 11, Nha Trang to Phan Rang-Thap Cham and back, on 20/06/2025. It took effect on 30/6/2025.
The route is 116 km. It runs from Nha Trang North Bus Station along 2/4 Street, Quang Trung, Ly Thanh Ton, Thai Nguyen and 23/10 Street to National Highway 1A. It continues to Cam Ranh Bus Station and on to Ninh Thuan Bus Station.
The buses have 23 seats and 17 standing places, are painted orange-red, and 18 vehicles run the route. The decision gives no fare, so ask the driver.
By train
The national tourism authority says train passengers get off at Thap Cham Station. A VinWonders guide names Reunification Express trains SE1, SE5 and SE7 from Hanoi as stopping there. It adds that from the station you hire a car or motorbike, or take a taxi.
Open the station in Google Maps (opens in a new tab). No source gives a Nha Trang to Thap Cham timetable.
Minh Mang, Do Vinh, Ninh Thuan · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
By car or motorbike
A VinWonders guide puts the distance between Ninh Thuan and Nha Trang at more than 100 km, nearly 2 hours by road. For the towers, it says to reach the Phu Ha five-way junction in the old Phan Rang-Thap Cham city. It then says to follow 21/8 Street toward Da Lat and past a railway crossing.
The guide for Ninh Chu says a motorbike from the city to the beach meets some bends, so ride slowly.
At the towers
The VinWonders guide gives the address as 52e Bac Ai, Do Vinh ward. The Maps listing is named Cham Tower - Phan Rang (Panduranga). Open Po Klong Garai in Google Maps (opens in a new tab).
Doi Trau, Do Vinh, Khanh Hoa · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
When to go and how long
The portal’s opening hours are 07:30 to 17:30, so start early to fit the loop before closing. A VinWonders guide says the best months for Ninh Chu beach are June to August. It lists September to November as the rainy season and December to August as the dry season.
The sources give no standard visit length. Count the road time instead: nearly 2 hours from Nha Trang to Ninh Thuan each way.
Nearby and how to combine it
Ninh Chu beach
A VinWonders guide puts Ninh Chu about 5 km east of the old Phan Rang-Thap Cham city centre. Resolution 1667/NQ-UBTVQH15 merged Van Hai ward and Khanh Hai town into Ninh Chu ward. The guide describes a half-moon coastal road of up to 10 km along the beach.
The guide also lists Dam Nai lagoon near the beach, up to 1,200 ha. It says Ninh Chu is known for fresh seafood. It describes the local chicken rice as made with free-range chicken and a garlic-chilli sauce. Open Ninh Chu beach in Google Maps (opens in a new tab).
Ninh Chu, Khanh Hoa · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Vineyards
The national tourism authority says Ninh Thuan is the country’s largest grape producer. On the Ninh Thuan - Nha Trang route it says visitors pass vineyards where they photograph, pick and buy grape products.
The Ba Moi vineyard is open to tourists as well as farmers and scientists interested in grape cultivation. It stands in Hiep Hoa hamlet, about 7 km from Phan Rang city. Open Ba Moi vineyard in Google Maps (opens in a new tab).
At Thai An, the portal says many families own grape fields, each surrounded by a fence with a small sign showing the plantation name. Thai An is in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, about 30 km northeast of Phan Rang city. Those are the names on the portal page before the merger.
Thon Hiep Hoa, Ninh Phuoc, Khanh Hoa · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Cham villages: Bau Truc pottery and Trung Son pagoda
Bau Truc pottery village lies about 10 km from Phan Rang-Thap Cham City and keeps the Cham potters’ art, which UNESCO lists as intangible heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. The tourism authority says all ceramics there are handmade, without a potter’s wheel. A VinWonders guide adds Trung Son Co Tu pagoda, about 12 km from the towers.
What to eat
The Ninh Chu guide lists grilled squid, steamed prawns and sea crab near the beach. The national tourism authority says banh can, mini pancakes, is a common food of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan.
The Ninh Chu guide says banh can and banh xeo come with four dipping sauces. It lists windsurfing, parasailing and jet-ski among beach activities, and says fishing boats return at dawn to the fish markets by the beach.
Beyond the loop
Nui Chua National Park is about 30 minutes’ drive from the city, but it is a trekking and camping park, not a half-day stop.
One-day plan
This plan fixes only the sourced times. No source gives a Nha Trang to Thap Cham timetable or a fare, so set the other clock times yourself.
| Stage | What to do | Fixed by |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning | Leave Nha Trang North Bus Station on route 11 or drive; allow nearly 2 hours each way | |
| At opening, 07:30 | Po Klong Garai towers first; the cart is VND 25,000 round trip | |
| Late morning | Ninh Chu beach, about 5 km east of the old city centre | |
| Lunch | Seafood or chicken rice near the beach | |
| Afternoon | Ba Moi vineyard, about 7 km from the city, or Bau Truc pottery village, about 10 km | |
| Before 17:30 | The towers close; start the road back well before dark |
See also Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang, Getting Around Nha Trang, Nha Trang train station and Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang. The nearest airport to Phan Rang is Cam Ranh, nearly 70 km from Phan Rang-Thap Cham city. Bai Dai beach is on the same coast: see Bai Dai beach in Cam Ranh.
Before you go
- Carry cash for the ticket and the cart: the guide lists VND 20,000 per adult and VND 25,000 for the cart round trip.
- Bring a hat, a long-sleeved top and sunscreen: the area is sun-heavy.
- Check the closing time before you leave Nha Trang: the portal lists 17:30.
- Ride slowly on a motorbike: the road to Ninh Chu has some bends.
- Bring your passport or ID: the Ninh Chu guide advises carrying identity papers.
- Check train times at the station: no source gives a Nha Trang to Thap Cham timetable.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Po Klong Garai Cham Towers on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Ninh Chu Beach on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Ba Moi Vineyard on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by @Vũ Đức Hà, @Đặng Xuân Dũng, @Chi Chien Ho Cong, @Xuyen Kim, @Huang William, @Quoc Nguyen Bao, @Blue Fam, @thu nguyen thi, @Khang Dang, @Thiem Vu, @Ne VeDe, @Trần Đức An.
Step by step
- Pick your transportTake bus route 11 from Nha Trang North Bus Station, a train to Thap Cham, or drive.
- Start at the towersThe portal lists 07:30 to 17:30.
- Add Ninh Chu beachIt is about 5 km east of the old city centre.
- Stop at a vineyardBa Moi is about 7 km from Phan Rang city.
- Head backLeave the towers before the 17:30 closing time.
Not confirmed: Official ticket price: the tourism portal shows hours but no price, and the VND 20,000 figure comes from an operator guide dated 08/07/2025. Train times and fare from Nha Trang to Thap Cham: check at the station. Vineyard entry fees and picking rules: ask at the gate.
Common questions
Is Phan Rang in Khanh Hoa province now?
Resolution 202/2025/QH15 merged Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa into a province named Khanh Hoa. The merged local governments formally operate from 1 July 2025.
How far is Phan Rang from Nha Trang?
Bus route 11 is 116 km long, from Nha Trang North Bus Station to Ninh Thuan Bus Station. A VinWonders guide says nearly 2 hours by road.
How do I get from Nha Trang to Phan Rang by bus?
Route 11 runs between Nha Trang North Bus Station and Ninh Thuan Bus Station via Cam Ranh Bus Station. The Department of Construction published its adjusted decision on 20/06/2025.
Is there a train to Phan Rang?
The national tourism authority says train passengers get off at Thap Cham Station. Check the timetable and fare at the station.
What are the Po Klong Garai opening hours?
The Khanh Hoa tourism portal lists 07:30 to 17:30. A VinWonders guide says the towers open every day of the week.
How much is the Po Klong Garai ticket?
A VinWonders guide of 08/07/2025 lists VND 20,000 per adult and VND 10,000 per child under 11. An electric cart is VND 25,000 round trip.
What is there to see at Po Klong Garai?
Three red brick towers remain: the Gate Tower, the Fire Tower and the Main Tower, 20.50 m high.
When is the Kate Festival?
It starts on the 1st of the 7th month of the Cham calendar, approximately October, and lasts a month.
Where is Ninh Chu beach?
A VinWonders guide puts it about 5 km east of the old Phan Rang-Thap Cham city centre.
Is there a vineyard to visit?
The Ba Moi vineyard is open to tourists and lies about 7 km from Phan Rang city.
Read next
Places in this guide
- vineyardvineyardBa Moi Vineyard (Trang trai nho Ba Moi)Thon Hiep Hoa, Ninh Phuoc, Khanh Hoa★ 4.4 (559) · Daily 7 AM–5:30 PM
- beachbeachNinh Chu Beach (Bai bien Ninh Chu)Ninh Chu, Khanh Hoa★ 4.3 (956)
- temple complextemple complexPo Klong Garai Cham Towers (Thap Cham Po Klong Garai)Doi Trau, Do Vinh, Khanh Hoa★ 4.6 (1,322)
- train stationtrain stationThap Cham Railway Station (Ga Thap Cham)Minh Mang, Do Vinh, Ninh Thuan
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