A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Dewa Sanzan for Couples, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Dewa Sanzan. 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 high energy, coastal, and resort-filled city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a traditional, religious, and sacred religious site. Visitors also love the hiking and museums.

Nha Trang and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nha Trang than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nha Trang is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan is more popular for its hiking. Nha Trang is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Also, Nha Trang is famous for Long Son Pagoda. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Nha Trang different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nha Trang and Dewa Sanzan.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

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

Nha Trang is very good for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Nha Trang has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Nha Trang is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nha Trang makes a nice vacation spot. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling 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.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang is very good for the beache. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Nha Trang to enjoy the beach. 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.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a great religious site for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

Nha Trang is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nha Trang. 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.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Nha Trang is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Nha Trang is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nha Trang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Dewa Sanzan is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Nha Trang. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

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

Nha Trang is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Nha Trang has some public transit options. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options 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.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

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

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nha Trang and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Nha Trang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nha Trang than Dewa Sanzan. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang than Dewa Sanzan 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Nha Trang. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums around the religious site of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Nha Trang. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums around the remote destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this religious site has to offer. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

The coastal city of Nha Trang offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the traditional religious site of Dewa Sanzan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nha Trang. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nha Trang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the summer for the hiking.

Nha Trang is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Dewa Sanzan. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails during these months.

In the autumn, Nha Trang is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Nha Trang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang usually gets more rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Dewa Sanzan can be very cold. In January, Nha Trang is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Nha Trang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Nha Trang is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Nha Trang