Bai Tranh and Hon Mieu Nha Trang

Hon Mieu, also called Tri Nguyen island, is the closest island in Nha Trang bay: about 2.4 km from the Cau Da pier, roughly ten minutes on the water. Two things are worth your time there. Bai Tranh, a beach of nearly 500 m with sand along one half and shingle along the other, shelving gently into clear water, and the Tri Nguyen aquarium, a concrete building in the shape of a ship on the far side.

The thing other write-ups tend not to state plainly is the shape of the cost. Entry to Bai Tranh is 70,000₫ for an adult and 40,000₫ for a child of 1–1.3 m, which is cheap. But the boat is charged separately and charged one way: a wooden boat is around 150,000₫ each way, a speedboat from 200,000₫. So two people crossing and returning by wooden boat pay roughly 600,000₫ in fares against 140,000₫ in beach tickets. Treat the boat as the main cost and the ticket as the small one.

The Tri Nguyen aquarium opens 7:30–16:00 and the published price lists put it at about 170,000₫ for adults and 85,000₫ for children. It is an old attraction and worth knowing that in advance: a concrete ship, artificial grottoes, tanks of modest size. Children tend to love the ship itself and the tunnels; adults go out of curiosity about a style of tourist building from another era, rather than expecting a modern aquarium.

A morning works best: calmer water, and time to catch a boat back. Boats leave from the Cau Da pier about 4 km from the square, the same pier as the four-island tours, so don't let a day tour be bundled on if all you want is the crossing. Bring cash, bring water, and ask what time the last boat back leaves before you go over.

Other islands: Hòn Mun, where swimming and diving are suspended, Hòn Tằm for a full-service day, and Mini Beach if you prefer somewhere small and quiet.