Province Khanh Hoa Current Khánh Hòa unites the former Khánh Hòa and Ninh Thuận territories into one of Vietnam’s most varied sea-to-highlands discovery geographies. Nha Trang, Vân Phong and Cam Ranh define the great-bay and island identity; Vĩnh Hy, Núi Chúa, Ninh Chữ, Mũi Dinh and Cà Ná add a rare dry tropical coast; Po Nagar, Po Klong Garai, Bàu Trúc and Mỹ Nghiệp connect monumental Cham heritage with living communities; while Hòn Bà, Khánh Sơn, Bác Ái and Phước Bình bring forest and highland culture.
Region Central Vietnam
Travel character Marine tourism and coastal services
Suggested stay 3–4 days
Best time Jan–Aug
At a glance
A clear first picture Great bays and islands, living Cham heritage, an extraordinary dry coast and forested highlands.
Administrative status Province Current post-2025 status Formation Former Khanh Hoa + former Ninh Thuan Effective 1 July 2025 Area 8,555.86 km² Official post-merger administrative baseline Population About 2.24 million Official post-merger administrative baseline Commune-level units 65 48 communes, 16 wards and 1 special zone under the 2025 arrangement Special zone Truong Sa Province includes the Trường Sa special zone Discovery identity Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands VietnamWaving reader-facing framing Travel essentials
Plan the essentials quickly Practical orientation for a first visit, designed to be expanded with verified local data.
Best time Jan–Aug Plan by subregion and activity.
Suggested stay 3–4 days Extended 2–3 days · Deep 10–16 days
Daily budget Budget $40–$65
Comfort $80–$140
Premium $190+
Per person / day. VietnamWaving planning estimate, not a quoted market price. Accommodation, private transport, islands and remote-area logistics can materially change actual spend.
Getting there Cam Ranh International Airport is the principal aviation gateway. The North–South railway, National Highway 1 and expressway network serve the long coastal axis. Use clusters: Vân Phong–Đại Lãnh; Ninh Hòa; Nha Trang Bay–Diên Khánh–Hòn Bà; Cam Lâm–Cam Ranh; Bình Lập–Bình Hưng; Vĩnh Hy–Núi Chúa; Ninh Chữ–Cham heritage; Mũi Dinh–Cà Ná; and inland Khánh Sơn–Bác Ái–Phước Bình.
DISCOVER
Places to understand The essential places, neighbourhoods and landscapes that explain the destination.
01 ↗
Discovery anchor Nha Trang Bay An island-studded urban bay combining marine landscapes, city waterfront and long-established tourism.
Khanh-Hoa
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Discovery anchor Po Nagar Cham Towers A major historic Cham temple complex that remains both an architectural landmark and a living place of worship.
Khanh-Hoa
03 ↗
Discovery anchor Hon Chong Promontory Hon Chong Promontory is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
04 04 Khanh-Hoa Long Son Pagoda Long Son Pagoda is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 05 05 Khanh-Hoa Dien Khanh Citadel Dien Khanh Citadel is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 06 06 Khanh-Hoa Ba Ho Waterfalls Ba Ho Waterfalls is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 07 07 Khanh-Hoa Hon Ba Mountain Hon Ba Mountain Landscape is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 08 08 Khanh-Hoa Doc Let Beach Doc Let Beach is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 09 09 Khanh-Hoa Hon Khoi Salt Fields Geometric salt pans and seasonal harvesting connect the Ninh Hòa coast with a distinctive traditional industry. → 10 10 Khanh-Hoa Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van Bay is a curated place identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. →
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HERITAGE
Heritage and memory Historic layers, protected legacies and identities carried across generations.
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Defining heritage Cham Sacred Landscape Cham Sacred Landscape is a curated heritage identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Defining heritage Cham Craft Traditions Cham Craft Traditions is a curated heritage identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Defining heritage Alexandre Yersin Legacy Alexandre Yersin Legacy is a curated heritage identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
04 04 Khanh-Hoa Seafaring and Swiftlet-Island Tradition Seafaring and Swiftlet-Island Tradition is a curated heritage identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. →
CULTURE
Culture and identity Living traditions, local rhythms and the stories behind everyday life.
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Living culture Cham Living Culture Cham Living Culture is a curated culture identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Living culture Raglai Highland Culture Raglai Highland Culture is a curated culture identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
03 ↗
Living culture Coastal Fishing Culture in Khanh Hoa Coastal Fishing Culture is a curated culture identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
04 04 Khanh-Hoa Salt-Making Culture Salt-Making Culture is a curated culture identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 05 05 Khanh-Hoa Dryland Agricultural Culture Dryland Agricultural Culture is a curated culture identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. →
NATURE
Nature and conservation Protected landscapes and ecological systems worth understanding and preserving.
01 ↗
Priority nature landscape Nui Chua National Park Nui Chua National Park is a curated nature-reserve identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Priority nature landscape Phuoc Binh National Park A mountainous protected landscape of forest ecosystems, rivers and highland community geography.
Khanh-Hoa
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Priority nature landscape Hon Ba Nature Reserve Hon Ba Nature Reserve is a curated nature-reserve identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
04 04 Khanh-Hoa Nha Trang Bay Marine Ecosystems Nha Trang Bay Marine Ecosystems is a curated nature-reserve identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. →
01 ↗
Signature food identity Nha Trang Fish Noodles Nha Trang Fish Noodles is a curated food identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Signature food identity Nem Ninh Hoa Nem Ninh Hoa is a curated food identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Signature food identity Banh Can Banh Can is a curated food identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Signature food identity Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest is a curated food identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
05 05 Southern Khanh Hoa Grapes → 06 06 Dryland Goat Specialities → 07 07 Cam Lam Mango → 08 08 Khanh Son Durian →
01 Tourism and Hospitality Tourism and Hospitality is a curated industry identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 02 Van Phong Maritime Economy Van Phong Maritime Economy is a curated industry identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 03 Cam Ranh Maritime and Aviation Economy Cam Ranh Maritime and Aviation Economy is a curated industry identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 04 Renewable Energy Renewable Energy is a curated industry identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 05 Salt, Aquaculture and Seafood Salt, Aquaculture and Seafood is a curated industry identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 06 High-Value Agriculture High-Value Agriculture is a curated industry identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa →
CONNECTIVITY
Infrastructure and access The systems connecting people, places, supply chains and markets.
01 Cam Ranh International Airport Cam Ranh International Airport is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 02 North–South Railway North–South Railway is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 03 North–South Expressway Sections North–South Expressway Sections is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 04 National Highway 1 National Highway 1 is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 05 Khanh Hoa–Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Khanh Hoa–Buon Ma Thuot Expressway is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 06 Van Phong Port System Van Phong Port System is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa → 07 Cam Ranh Port System Cam Ranh Port System is a curated infrastructure identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. Khanh-Hoa →
EXPERIENCE
Experiences worth having Concrete ways to experience the destination through its places, culture and landscapes.
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Concrete visitor experience Explore Nha Trang Bay by Boat Explore Nha Trang Bay by Boat is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Concrete visitor experience Visit Po Nagar as a Living Sacred Site Visit Po Nagar as a Living Sacred Site is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
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Concrete visitor experience See Hon Khoi’s Salt Landscape See Hon Khoi’s Salt Landscape is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system.
Khanh-Hoa
04 04 Khanh-Hoa Explore Van Phong’s Peninsulas and Islands Explore Van Phong’s Peninsulas and Islands is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 05 05 Khanh-Hoa Drive the Cam Ranh–Vinh Hy Coast Drive the Cam Ranh–Vinh Hy Coast is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 06 06 Khanh-Hoa Explore Nui Chua National Park Explore Nui Chua National Park is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 07 07 Khanh-Hoa Visit a Thai An Vineyard Visit a Thai An Vineyard is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 08 08 Khanh-Hoa Meet Cham Craft Traditions Meet Cham Craft Traditions is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 09 09 Khanh-Hoa Experience Po Klong Garai Experience Po Klong Garai is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. → 10 10 Khanh-Hoa Cross the Mui Dinh Dry Coast Cross the Mui Dinh Dry Coast is a curated experience identity in Khánh Hòa’s Great Bays – Islands – Cham Heritage – Dry Coast – Highlands discovery system. →
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Economic profile
Strengths and investment context Relative indicators show strategic positioning, while the investment profile adds practical context for early-stage research.
Relative indicators
Strategic strengths Orientation score · 0–100 Tourism and hospitality 97
Ports, logistics and maritime services 91
Marine economy and aquaculture 88
Aviation and airport-linked services 86
Dryland agriculture, grapes and salt 82
Manufacturing and industrial development 80
Digital services and creative tourism 76
Research snapshot
Investment profile Updated 2026-08-09 Economic scale Administrative area 8,555.86 km² Post-2025 expanded province
Reference population 2,243,554 Post-merger official reference
Strategic growth pole Van Phong Economic Zone Ports, logistics, industry and tourism
Tourism platform Nha Trang + Cam Ranh + Vinh Hy City, resort, bay and nature travel
Business environment Primary gateway Cam Ranh International Airport Major domestic and international gateway → Maritime position Strong Deep-water potential, coastal trade and marine economy
Renewable energy Strategic sector Strong solar and wind development profile in the wider province
Industrial development Expanding Van Phong and transport infrastructure support future industrial growth
Priority themes Tourism Marine economy Logistics Renewable energy Aviation Manufacturing
Marine, tourism and energy projects require location-specific environmental and infrastructure due diligence.
Sustainable investment
Opportunity with context A balanced view of potential, infrastructure and issues that require project-level verification.
Potential advantages Nearly 500 km of coastline and major bays at Vân Phong, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh and Vĩnh Hy create exceptional marine-economic depth Cam Ranh International Airport supports a large international visitor economy Vân Phong provides a strategic deep-water economic and logistics growth pole The merger combines mature Nha Trang–Cam Ranh tourism with the highly differentiated Núi Chúa–Ninh Chữ–Cham cultural landscape Núi Chúa and Phước Bình give the province two national parks and unusually strong nature-tourism potential Dry-climate agriculture supports grapes, apples, aloe, salt, sheep and other distinctive products Cham and Raglai culture provide cultural depth that differentiates the province from generic beach destinations Renewable-energy potential and existing projects add an important southern economic pillar Due diligence Marine tourism growth must protect coral reefs, island ecosystems and water quality Núi Chúa and Phước Bình require conservation-first visitor management Water scarcity is a structural constraint in the dry southern part of the province Large coastal projects should protect public beach access, fishing communities and landscape integrity Cham and Raglai cultural tourism should be community-led and avoid superficial commercialisation Vân Phong industrial and port growth requires strong marine environmental safeguards Planned tourism, port and transport projects must be labelled by actual implementation status Climate change, coastal erosion, extreme heat and drought require long-term adaptation Late 20th–early 21st centuries
Cam Ranh, Van Phong and resort tourism accelerate Airport connectivity, ports and resort corridors expand Khánh Hòa's international role.
2030 vision
Khanh Hoa targets an international marine-tourism role Provincial strategy aims to position tourism as a spearhead economy and Khánh Hòa among Southeast Asia's leading destinations.
2026
A dual-core tourism strategy emerges Vân Phong–Nha Trang remains the northern core while Cam Ranh–Vĩnh Hy–Ninh Chữ and southern cultural-natural landscapes become a complementary growth pole.
1 July 2025
Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan merge The new province begins operation with 8,555.86 km², about 2.24 million people and 65 commune-level units.
2021
Nui Chua gains UNESCO biosphere recognition The exceptionally dry forest-and-marine landscape receives international biosphere-reserve recognition.
Late 19th–20th centuries
Nha Trang grows as a coastal urban and scientific centre Marine research, tourism and modern infrastructure establish Nha Trang as one of Vietnam's best-known seaside cities.
17th–19th centuries
Vietnamese settlement and coastal trade expand Fishing villages, agriculture, salt production and regional ports deepen the province's mixed coastal identity.
Ancient era
Cham civilisation shapes the south-central coast Temple architecture, irrigation, maritime exchange and living Cham communities establish one of the province's deepest cultural layers.