A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Koh Chang for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Resorts

Should you visit Nha Trang or Koh Chang?

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 Koh Chang. 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a scenic, idyllic, and serene island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Nha Trang and Koh Chang: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Koh Chang?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nha Trang. Although Nha Trang and Koh Chang are popular destinations, Nha Trang has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nha Trang is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Nha Trang is more touristy than Koh Chang and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. It is also well known for Long Son Pagoda. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches.

How is Nha Trang different from Koh Chang?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Chang 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 Koh Chang?

Nha Trang is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Nha Trang is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Koh Chang offers a few options for museum-goers. This is a beach paradise, but you won't find any temples or museums around the island.

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

Both Nha Trang and Koh Chang offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Chang area. There's a good selection of restaurants that serve everything from international dishes to Thai favorites. You'll also find restaurants attached to many of the resorts, many with nice views.

Is Nha Trang or Koh Chang Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is very popular for nightlife. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Koh Chang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's Thailand, so there is plenty of partying, but there are quiet parts to the island as well. For the biggest party scenes head to Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, and Kai Bae Beach. Lonely Beach is where you'll find the highest concentration of backpackers.

Is Nha Trang or Koh Chang Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is a great island for its luxury resorts. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Koh Chang to choose from. The island has managed to maintain a natural atmosphere without the overdevelopment found at many Thai islands, yet it still has the amenities and comforts that you need like nice resorts.

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 Koh Chang Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find reasonable places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Nha Trang and Koh Chang.

There are few places where you can 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.

Snorkeling is an option in Koh Chang. You can book a snorkeling or dive trip to the nearby islands for the best experience. The beaches on Koh Chang are sandy with very few rocks and coral, so walk in snorkeling is limited.

Is Nha Trang or Koh Chang Better for Beaches?

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

Koh Chang offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find the vast majority of the beaches on the west side of the island. The most developed beach is White Sand Beach, and most of the backpackers hang out at Lonely Beach. For a quiet and more upscale atmosphere check out Klong Prao Beach. Also make sure you keep an eye on high and low tides, because the difference is pretty extreme. You'll find large, sandy beaches at low tide, which disappear at high tide.

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 Koh Chang Better for Hiking?

Koh Chang is adequate for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Koh Chang. Very few people actually head inland to go hiking, but if you do it can be a rewarding experience. It's a challenge to hike on the island though, as there are no marked trails. You'll need to hire a guide for any trekking that you wish to do.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Koh Chang?

Nha Trang is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Chang has some nice offerings. While this isn't the place to do any serious shopping, there are a few places where you can pick up essentials and souvenirs from your trip.

Is Nha Trang or Koh Chang Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Koh Chang are great 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.

Koh Chang is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The laid back vibe is perfect for families who want to get away from the party scene and overdevelopment that's found at many Thai islands. The island has kid-friendly beaches, great hiking, and resorts with pools and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Nha Trang or Koh Chang Better for Couples?

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

Koh Chang is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful island is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are beautiful resorts that have the charm and character that is lost at many of the more developed parts of Thailand. There are also beaches that cater to every travel style, including upscale and idyllic gems.

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 Koh Chang Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nha Trang and Koh Chang are great places to visit.

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.

Koh Chang is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

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

Nha Trang and Koh Chang both offer nice 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.

Koh Chang has a few public transit options. There's a main road that goes around the outside of the island, with the exception of the southern tip. You can rent a motorbike or catch a ride on a Songthaew (pick-up truck taxi). Do note that the roads can be very steep and windy, which can be difficult to drive independently.

Is Nha Trang or Koh Chang a more walkable city?

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

Nha Trang is very walkable. 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.

Koh Chang is generally not very walkable. Your ability to walk around really depends on where you stay. Many of the resorts are located in quieter areas without easy access to restaurants or shopping.

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

Should I spend more time in Koh Chang or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Koh Chang?

In either Nha Trang or Koh Chang, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Chang than Nha Trang because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Chang.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang than Koh Chang 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 Koh Chang?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nha Trang. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Koh Chang. 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 Koh Chang?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Nha Trang. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find food and nightlife around the scenic destination of Koh Chang. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Koh Chang?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Nha Trang. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic island of Koh Chang. 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. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Nha Trang or Koh Chang?

Nha Trang is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Koh Chang is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.

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

When is the best time to visit Nha Trang or Koh Chang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Koh Chang in the Summer?

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

January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Koh Chang. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Koh Chang. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Chang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Koh Chang in the Autumn?

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

September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season. Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. Nha Trang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in October than Koh Chang. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Koh Chang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Koh Chang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Koh Chang in the Winter?

Both Koh Chang 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February. In January, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Koh Chang. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Koh Chang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nha Trang in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Chang averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Koh Chang in the Spring?

Both Koh Chang 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round.

June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Koh Chang. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Koh Chang. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Chang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Chang and Nha Trang