Monkey Island Nha Trang 2026: Hon Lao Tickets & Tips

Monkey Island (Đảo Khỉ, officially Hòn Lao) is an island in Nha Phu Bay, about 18 km north of central Nha Trang, home to more than 1,200 free-roaming long-tailed macaques. A 15–20 minute boat from Long Phu tourist pier takes you there. Tickets including the return boat cost about 180,000–185,000 VND for adults, and the island is open about 7:30–16:00.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily, about 7:30 to 16:00/16:30. Adult tickets with the return boat are about 180,000–185,000 VND and children 1–1.39 m about 100,000–110,000 VND (under 1 m free). The tourist area still stages animal shows (monkeys and other animals), which many international travellers choose to skip on welfare grounds.

Why Monkey Island is worth seeing:

Hundreds of macaques up close: troops of long-tailed macaques roam freely around the pier, beach and hillside.
A short, cheap trip: one ticket covers the boat, park entry, deckchair and freshwater showers.
Nha Phu Bay scenery: calm water dotted with islands and fish farms, quite different from the main Nha Trang Bay.
Family day out: beach, floating play park, go-karts and seafood restaurants in one place.
Easy to combine: often paired with Hoa Lan Stream or a seafood lunch on Nha Phu Bay.

Monkey Island at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Đảo Khỉ (Hòn Lao)
Location	Nha Phu Bay, north of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province (merged with Ninh Thuan on 1 July 2025)
Distance	About 18 km north of central Nha Trang to Long Phu tourist pier, then 15–20 minutes by boat
Known for	More than 1,200 free-roaming long-tailed macaques, beach, family activities
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:30–16:00 (some sources 16:30)
Entrance fee	Adults (from 1.4 m) about 180,000–185,000 VND (about US$7); children 1–1.39 m about 100,000–110,000 VND; under 1 m free; includes return boat
Time needed	Half a day
Best time	January to August; morning, before the heat and the tour groups
Nearby	Hoa Lan Stream, Nha Phu Bay, Hon Noi, Po Nagar Cham Towers
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Monkey Island Worth Visiting?

It is worth it for families and anyone who simply wants to see monkeys up close on a cheap half-day trip, but it is a commercial tourist area, not a nature reserve. The monkeys are wild but used to people, and can be bold. If animal shows trouble you, you can enjoy the island without attending them.

Best for: families with children, budget travellers, people with a free half-day.
Skip if: you want a wildlife sanctuary or object to animal performances.
Short on time: go first thing in the morning, walk the island and return before lunch.

History of Monkey Island (Hon Lao)

From research island to tourist area

The island’s original name is Hòn Lao. In the 1970s monkeys were brought here for breeding and scientific research, a programme usually linked to Soviet experts working with Vietnamese researchers. When the research ended, the macaques stayed and multiplied, and local people began calling Hon Lao “Đảo Khỉ”, Monkey Island.

Today

Hon Lao is now run as a tourist area with a pier, beach, restaurants and entertainment. Estimates of the population range from about 1,200 to 1,500 monkeys, living in troops across the island.

Rocky shore and sea at Monkey Island (Hon Lao), Nha Trang — The rocky shore of Monkey Island looks across the bay. Photo: calflier001, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

What to See at Monkey Island

1. The macaques

Long-tailed macaques gather around the pier, paths and beach. Watch them grooming, playing and foraging, but keep your distance; they can grab bags, sunglasses and food.

2. The beach

A small sandy beach faces Nha Phu Bay, with deckchairs and freshwater showers included in the ticket. The water is calm, though less clear than the outer islands.

3. Floating play park

An inflatable floating park of more than 2,000 m² with dozens of obstacles is popular with children and teenagers.

4. Activities and games

Go-karts, paintball and other games cost extra. Prices are posted at the counters; check before you play.

5. Animal shows

The island stages monkey shows and other animal acts several times a day. Animal-welfare groups criticise performances like these; we suggest skipping them and watching the free-roaming monkeys instead.

6. Seafood on Nha Phu Bay

Restaurants on the island and on floating rafts in the bay serve fresh seafood. Agree prices by weight before ordering.

Monkey Island Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Ticket	Price (includes return boat)
Adult (from 1.4 m)	About 180,000–185,000 VND (about US$7)
Child (1 m – 1.39 m)	About 100,000–110,000 VND (about US$4)
Child under 1 m	Free
Included	Return boat, entry, deckchair, freshwater shower, floating park
Opening hours	Daily about 7:30 – 16:00 (last boats mid-afternoon)

Prices are set by the Monkey Island tourist area management and are quoted slightly differently by different sources; confirm at the Long Phu ticket office.

Safety and Etiquette with the Monkeys

Do not feed the monkeys; it makes them aggressive and is bad for their health.
Keep bags zipped and hold on to phones, hats and sunglasses.
Avoid eye contact with large males and never tease or corner a monkey.
If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound and see a doctor promptly about rabies treatment.
Keep small children close at all times.

How to Get to Monkey Island

From	How	Time
Central Nha Trang	Taxi or Grab north along the coast to Long Phu tourist pier (about 200,000 VND one way by 4-seat taxi)	About 30 minutes
Central Nha Trang	Motorbike	About 30–40 minutes
Long Phu tourist pier	Boat included in ticket	About 15–20 minutes
Nha Trang hotels	Half-day or day tour with transfer	Half day

See our Nha Trang transportation guide for taxi tips and motorbike rental.

Best Time to Visit Monkey Island

When	What to expect
January – April	Dry and pleasant; the most comfortable months
May – August	Hot and sunny; go early in the morning
September – December	Rainy season; storms can stop the boats, mainly October–November
Time of day	7:30–10:00, when monkeys are active and groups have not yet arrived

Local Expert Tips for Monkey Island

These tips come from years of arranging Nha Trang tours for international travellers.

Leave valuables in the car or hotel and carry a small zipped bag.
Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to use the beach.
Combine with lunch on a seafood raft in Nha Phu Bay or a visit to Hoa Lan Stream.
Do it on the way to or from Doc Let Beach, which is further north on the same road.
Read our Nha Trang travel tips for how to avoid tour mark-ups.

Monkey Island vs VinWonders Nha Trang

Feature	Monkey Island	VinWonders Nha Trang
Main attraction	Free-roaming macaques, beach	Rides, water park, aquarium
Cost	About 180,000–185,000 VND	Much higher full-day ticket
Time needed	Half day	Full day
Getting there	30-minute drive + 15-minute boat	Boat or cable car from Vinpearl Harbour
Best for	A cheap, simple outing	A big theme-park day

Our view: Monkey Island is a good-value half day; families wanting a full day of rides should choose VinWonders Nha Trang instead, or do both on separate days.

Nearby Attractions

Doc Let Beach: white sand about 30 km further north.
Hon Noi Island: the double beach on the swiftlet island.
Po Nagar Cham Towers: on the way back into the city.
Long Son Pagoda: hilltop white Buddha.
Diep Son Island: walk on the sea in Van Phong Bay.
Hon Tam Island: beach and mud bath in Nha Trang Bay.

Sightseeing in Nha Trang for First-Time Visitors: Where Monkey Island Fits

Monkey Island works well on a morning heading north: monkeys first, seafood lunch on Nha Phu Bay, then the Cham towers on the way back. Spend another day on the bay islands and the National Oceanographic Museum, and pick your hotel area with our where-to-stay guide. Foodies should also read our Nha Trang food guide.

Plan your trip with our Nha Trang travel guide and Nha Trang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.