Largest Island in Nha Trang Bay
Main Attractions
Vinpearl Land (VinWonders)
Bai Tru Beach
Bai Chen Beach
Bay Lagoon
Bai Soi Beach
Island Hop to Mui Sake, Lon, and Con Se Tre Island

Positioned just off the coast of Nha Trang, Hon Tre Island is the largest in the bay. An area renowned for its resort complexes, which include VinWonders and the Vinpearl Resort, the island is easy to access and has plenty of activities to keep you busy.

A fairytale-like destination with crystal clear water and idyllic beaches, Hon Tre (Hòn Tre) Island has become a prime vacation spot for travelers from all over Vietnam and the world. Visitors to Hon Tre will love all of the man-made adventures as well as the spectacular landscapes provided by Mother Nature.

Largest Island in Nha Trang Bay

The cable car to Hon Tre Island. Photo: Harry and Rowena Kennedy

Hon Tre Island covers an area of about 36 sq km (13.9 sq mi), which makes it the largest island in the Bay of Nha Trang. Part of Khanh Hoa (Khánh Hòa) Province’s Kien Hai District, the highest point of the island peaks at 460 m (1,509 ft). A mere 5 km (0.6 mi) to the east of Nha Trang, the island is just off of Vietnam’s South Central Coast.

Heavily developed for tourists, the majority of the island’s shoreline is filled with resorts, hotels, parks, and attractions. Inland and up on the mountain, most of the terrain has been left untouched and is covered by green forests. Accessible by speedboats that depart from Nha Trang every 30 minutes, the journey to the island takes about 15 minutes.

There’s also a cable car to Hon Tre that stretches across the sea from the mainland to the island, however, it’s currently closed as of June 2022 for maintenance. Once re-opened, the cable car will resume a daily schedule of operation.

History

View across Nha Trang Bay to Hon Tre Island. Photo: gavindeas

For centuries, Hon Tre Island was home to local fishermen who lived in small villages along the shoreline. Left undeveloped, not many people visited the island prior to becoming a resort destination. The development of Hon Tre began in 2004, replacing the fishing villages with small hotels.

For more than a decade, the popularity of Hon Tre was mostly ingrained within the Nha Trang locals and Vietnamese nationals, however, by 2014, word began to spread as plans for expansion were publically announced resorts. In 2015, the Vinpearl Resort opened on Hon Tre Island.

Owned by Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, the resort helped push Nha Trang and the island into the international spotlight. Since then, further developments have turned Hon Tre into a booming tourist destination.

Fun Facts

Translated into English, “Hon Tre” means “bamboo”.
There are 647 guest rooms at the Vinpearl Resort on Hon Tre Island.
Islands that are close to Hon Tre include Mui Sake (Mũi Sake), Lon, and Con Se Tre.

Main Attractions

Zipling at VinWonders. Photo: VinWonders Nha Trang

Great for those looking for adventure, the shoreline of Hon Tre has been reformed into the ideal tourist attraction. Boasting a mega-sized complex called Vinpearl Land or VinWonders, the amusement park features attractions like an aquarium, shopping mall, rides, and amphitheater.

If you’re not in the mood to visit the park, there are two idyllic beaches, Bai Tru and Bai Chen, to relax, meanwhile, guests who enjoy water sports should head to the Bay Lagoon and Bai Son. A paradise not far from Nha Trang, guests can also hop to other nearby islands.

Vinpearl Land (VinWonders)

A sprawling amusement park, Vinpearl Land (also called VinWonders) is the most popular attraction on Hon Tre Island. Absolutely massive and covering an area of 50 hectares, the Vinpeal Land has been subdivided into 6 sections: Fairy Land, Adventure Land, World Garden, Water World, King’s Garden, and Sea World.

Altogether, there are more than 100 activities for tourists to enjoy while spending time at the park. Visitors should plan to spend a full day there are make sure to go on the zipline, roller coaster, and pendulum swing. You can even view rare animals including white Bengal tigers and lemurs in the gardens as well as beautiful flowers from all over the world.

VinWonders water park. Photo: VinWonders Nha Trang

Additional attractions at the park include a 50,000-square-meter water park, colossal aquarium, and a summer toboggan experience.

Bai Tru Beach

On the northern shores of Hon Tre, Bai Tru Beach is the most popular sandy spot for tourists. Featuring gentle waves, clear water, and smooth sand, it’s a favorite for tourists with young children. At Bai Tru, visitors can enjoy food at local restaurants and see a fishing village. There are also a few resorts around the beach where tourists can also stay overnight.

Beyond the beach, tourists can pay a small entrance fee to enjoy the amenities at Bai Tru. With a day pass, guests can access beach lounges, a buffet lunch, and access to an outdoor swimming pool.

Bai Chen Beach

Coming from the Vietnamese word, “chen”, which means “bowl”, Bai Chen Beach has unique stone formations that are bowl-like in appearance. Boasting crystal clear water, tourists can easily wade into the shallow pools to get a better view of the wildlife. Additionally, on the shoreline, there are a few fruit orchards that commonly grow mangos and apples.

Bay Lagoon

One of the newest attractions on Hon Tre Island is the Bay Lagoon. Developed to showcase the beauty of nature, the lagoon is surrounded by verdant mountains and numerous coral reefs. A top spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, tours can be arranged for those who’d like to see the reefs. Having a wealth of information, local guides can assist with renting diving gear.

Bai Soi Beach

A rather small beach that is known for its pebbly sand is Bai Soi. Located in a small alcove on the island, the beach is the perfect place to get away from Bai Tru’s crowds. Home to a small resort, a few local companies offer tours of the area. Another place with reefs just offshore, Bai Soi another spot on Hon Tre that is great for scuba diving or snorkeling.

Island Hop to Mui Sake, Lon, and Con Se Tre Island

In addition to Hon Tre, there are a few other islands in Nha Trang Bay that create a chain. Less developed, the nearby islands feature local resorts and smaller boutique hotels. The main appeal of Mui Sake, Lon, and Con Se Tre Island is that there are fewer crowds. To visit, tourists should arrange for a tour with a local guide or travel independently by hiring a speedboat.

Accommodations

The pool at Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang. Photo: Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang

The most popular resorts on Hon Tre Island are all part of the Vinpearl hotel chain. Providing world-class services and accommodation to tourists, the 7 resorts affiliated with the Vinpearl name on Hon Tre Island include:

Vinpearl Discovery
Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang
Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Nha Trang Bay
Vinpearl Discovery Sealink Nha Trang
Vinpearl Discovery Golflink Nha Trang
Vinpearl Discovery Rockside Nha Trang

Each having its own appeal, every resort listed has been rated with a full 5 stars. While some locations like the Vinpearl Resort and Spa Nha Trang Bay are centrally located, others, such as the Vinpeal Luxury Nha Trang, provide royalty treatment to their guests.

Individuals hoping to have easy access to the island’s colorful coral reefs should head to the Vinpearl Discovery Sealink Nha Trang Resort, while golfers should plan some time on the Vinpearl Discovery Golflink Nha Trang‘s 18-hole course. Anyone interested in family time on a seaside villa, on the other hand, should book a few nights at the Vinpearl Discovery Rockside Nha Trang.

Dining

Dinner on the beach. Photo: Vinpearl Discovery

In tune with the resort lifestyle, all of the dining options on Hon Tre Island are associated with a resort. Each of the Vinpearl destinations will have at least one option, but more often than not, there will multiple on-site dining facilities. Sourced from local fishermen, seafood is particularly popular, however, other favorites include Banh Canh and Nha Trang grilled pork rolls.

Also offering cuisine from around the world, for convenience, many resorts offer guests the option of adding a full meal package to any overnight accommodations.

Transportation

The most common ways to get around Hon Tre Island are by motor taxi, shuttles, golf carts, and walking. Motor taxis are available on the island for affordable prices, however, guests can also ask at the front desk of their resort for transportation. A few resorts will provide shuttles to take guests to different areas on the island.

To get around the resorts, golf carts are typically used. Guests are also welcome to walk the island, but they should keep in mind that not all the resorts are close together. Walking is best for exploring specific beaches or areas, rather than the entire island.

Weather

Hon Tre, “Bamboo”, Island in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Photo: gavindeas

The least popular time to visit Hon Tre Island is during the rainy season, from September to December, when monsoons hit the area and often interfere with tourist activities. For ideal weather conditions, tourists should plan to visit the island during the dry season, which lasts from January to August.

Most popular from February to May, the climate is more temperate climate, ensuring that visitors can enjoy all of the outdoor and seaside plans. Those specifically trying to see the coral reefs should plan to visit from April to August when the water is the clearest.

A beautiful and developed island destination only minutes from Nha Trang, Hon Tre is a great place to spend a few days in the sun. Home to a plethora of resorts, beaches, and attractions, this island is a must-visit while in Vietnam.