A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Nha Trang or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Bali. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a vibrant, high energy, and coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Nha Trang and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Bali?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bali than Nha Trang. Bali is bigger than Nha Trang, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bali is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Nha Trang is more popular for its museums. Nha Trang is well known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Bali is well known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang.

How is Nha Trang different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bali and Nha Trang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Bali?

Nha Trang is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Nha Trang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nha Trang or Bali? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Bali, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find first-rate options in both Nha Trang and Bali.

Nha Trang is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

People head to Bali just to party. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

Vacationers flock to Bali for its luxury resorts. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Nha Trang has a few great resort options. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is very popular for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nha Trang is not known for snorkeling and scuba diving.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Snorkeling is an option in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is very popular for the beache. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great island for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Bali?

Bali is a great island for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Bali is well-known for its shopping. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors go to Nha Trang to go shopping. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Bali are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nha Trang is very family-friendly. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

Bali is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Bali is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Nha Trang is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Nha Trang is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Is Nha Trang or Bali Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang and Bali both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Nha Trang or Bali a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Nha Trang is a very walkable city. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

Bali is generally not a very walkable city. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Bali?

Both Nha Trang and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Nha Trang. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Nha Trang. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Nha Trang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Nha Trang if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Nha Trang or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nha Trang. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Bali?

Nha Trang is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the stunning destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Bali?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Nha Trang. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the tropical island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Nha Trang or Bali?

The high energy city of Nha Trang offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Nha Trang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nha Trang Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Bali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Nha Trang or Bali?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali and Nha Trang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

January to August is the dry season in Nha Trang. September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. April to September is the dry season in Bali. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in July than Bali. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Bali in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Bali in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Bali. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. Nha Trang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Bali. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Bali in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Bali. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

Also, January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. October to March in Bali is the rainy season. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in January than Bali. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Bali fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Bali in the Spring?

Both Bali and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Bali is April to September. In April, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Bali. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Bali in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Bali and Nha Trang