Mud Baths and Hot Springs in Nha Trang
Part of the Nha Trang travel guide — see every topic in All Nha Trang Guides.
Hot mineral springs rise in the hills just outside Nha Trang. Several spa parks use the water and fine mud for warm baths, pools and massages. A mud bath is one of the most popular things to do in the city, and it is a good choice on a cloudy or rainy day when the sea is rough.
How a mud bath works
First you shower, then sit in a wooden or stone tub filled with warm, smooth mineral mud. You can share a big tub with friends or book a private one. After about 15 to 20 minutes in the mud, you rinse off under a shower or let the mud dry on your skin in the sun. Next you soak in a tub of hot mineral water, and then move to warm pools, waterfalls and jacuzzis. Many people say their skin feels very soft afterwards. Bring a swimsuit you do not mind getting muddy, though most of the mud washes out.
The main spa parks
Thap Ba hot springs is the oldest and best known centre, about 4 kilometres north-west of the city centre, near the old Po Nagar towers. It has mud tubs, hot pools and a garden setting. I-Resort, a little further out, is larger and more modern, with many pools, waterslides, waterfalls and thatched huts. A third choice is the Hundred Egg mud bath, known for its egg-shaped buildings. Some island tours also stop at a mud bath on Hon Tam. All of them offer packages from a simple shared tub to private baths with massage.
Tips for your visit
Go in the morning or on a weekday if you can, because weekends and afternoons are busier, especially with tour groups. Plan two to four hours for a relaxed visit. Most centres have lockers, towels, changing rooms and a restaurant, but check what is included in your ticket. Drink plenty of water, since the hot water can make you tired and thirsty. People with heart problems, high blood pressure or who are pregnant should ask a doctor first. Remove jewellery before getting into the mud, and keep children close in the hot pools.
Getting there
Thap Ba is a short taxi or ride app trip from the beach hotels, about 15 minutes in normal traffic. I-Resort is a little further, about 20 minutes. Many hotels and tour agencies sell tickets with a free or cheap shuttle bus, which is the easiest option. You can also combine a mud bath with a visit to the Hon Chong rocks or the fishing harbour in the north of the city. After the bath, many people go straight back to the beach or have a long, relaxed seafood lunch.
Mud Baths and Hot Springs at a glance
| Getting there | Thap Ba about 4 km north-west of the centre; about 15 minutes by taxi |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime, roughly 7:00 to 17:30; check locally |
| Cost | Packages from shared tubs to private baths; check each centre |
| Best time | Weekday mornings; good on rainy days |
| Time needed | About 2 to 4 hours |
| Bring | Old swimsuit, water bottle |