Hon Tam Island Nha Trang: Beach, Mud Bath & Tickets
Hon Tam Island (Hòn Tằm) is a green, hilly island in Nha Trang Bay, about 7 km from the city centre and roughly 10 minutes by speedboat from Hon Tam Port. It is home to Hon Tam Resort, with a sheltered beach and one of Vietnam’s largest mud-bath complexes. Day packages with return boat and mud bath start at about 640,000 VND (2025–2026 list price).
Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal. The mud bath area runs about 8:00–16:40; package prices listed since 1 June 2025 are about 640,000 VND (boat + standard mud bath), 940,000 VND with lunch and 1,040,000 VND for the whole-island combo, with frequent online discounts. Boats stop in storms and when the port bans sailing, mainly October–December.
Why Hon Tam Island is worth seeing:
- The closest proper beach island to Nha Trang: just a short speedboat ride from the mainland port.
- A huge mud-bath complex: about 16,000 m² of terraced mud tubs, mineral pools and a hot jacuzzi.
- Calm, clear water: the resort beach on the west side is sheltered and good for swimming.
- Easy for families: showers, loungers, pools and restaurants are all in one place.
- Combines well: packages pair Hon Tam with VinWonders Nha Trang, and boat tours pair it with Hon Mun and Hon Mieu.
Hon Tam Island at a Glance
| Vietnamese name | Hòn Tằm (“Silkworm Island”) |
|---|---|
| Location | Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa province; boats leave from Hon Tam Port in Nha Trang ward (formerly Vinh Nguyen ward), near Cau Da Port |
| Distance | About 7 km from Nha Trang centre; about 10 minutes by speedboat |
| Known for | Resort beach, mud bath and mineral pools, water sports |
| Recognition | Part of the Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area |
| Opening hours | Mud bath about 8:00–16:40; boats run frequently through the day |
| Entrance fee | Packages from about 640,000 VND (about US$25) including return boat and standard mud bath; online promotions from about 540,000 VND |
| Time needed | Half day to full day |
| Best time | February to August; arrive in the morning |
| Nearby | Hon Mun, Hon Mieu (Tri Nguyen Aquarium), VinWonders Nha Trang on Hon Tre, National Oceanographic Museum |
| Find it | Google Maps · Tripadvisor |
Is Hon Tam Island Worth Visiting?
Yes, if you want an easy, comfortable beach and mud-bath day without a long boat trip. Hon Tam is polished and organised rather than wild, which suits families, couples and anyone who wants good facilities. Travellers looking for empty, natural beaches will prefer Doc Let or the islands of Van Phong Bay.
- Best for: families with children, couples, first-time visitors, anyone wanting a mud bath with a sea view.
- Skip if: you want a remote, undeveloped island or are on a very tight budget.
- Short on time: take the standard boat + mud bath package in the morning and be back in the city for lunch.
About Hon Tam Island
Name and landscape
Hòn Tằm means “Silkworm Island”; local people say its long, low ridge looks like a silkworm when seen from the mainland. The island is covered in green forest, with small sandy coves on the western side facing the city and rocky shores on the open-sea side.
From quiet island to resort
Hon Tam lies inside the Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area, alongside Hon Mun, Hon Mieu, Hon Tre and other islands. Its western shore has been developed as Hon Tam Resort, with the beach, restaurants, pools and the mud-bath complex grouped into Zone A and a quieter Zone B with more beach and dining space.
What to See and Do on Hon Tam Island
1. The mud-bath complex
The terraced mud-bath area covers about 16,000 m², with family, couple and group tubs. The warm mineral mud (around 38°C) is meant for a 15–20 minute soak, followed by a rinse and a dip in the mineral pools.
2. Mineral pools, jacuzzi and waterfall
After the mud you can move between a hot mineral jacuzzi, an infinity pool of more than 2,000 m² and an artificial mineral waterfall about 11 m high.
3. The resort beach
The west-facing beach is sheltered, shallow near the shore and has a marked swimming area. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available, and the views back towards Nha Trang are lovely in the late morning.
4. Water sports
Parasailing, banana boats, jet skis, sea walking and short snorkelling sessions are sold on the beach. These are extra-cost activities; check the price and safety briefing before you go.
5. Lunch with a view
Lunch packages use the resort’s restaurants, including a large Vietnamese restaurant in Zone A. Seafood is the obvious choice; for more ideas back in town see our Nha Trang food guide.
6. Zone B and the Wedding Bridge pier
The full-island combo opens Zone B, which is quieter, with more beach space, another restaurant and a photogenic pier often used for wedding photos.
Hon Tam Island Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)
| Package (per person) | Includes | List price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard mud bath (Zone A) | Return speedboat, mud bath, Zone A beach and pools | About 640,000 VND (about US$25); promotions from about 540,000 VND |
| Mud bath + lunch (Zone A) | As above + lunch | About 940,000 VND (promotions from about 855,000 VND) |
| Whole-island combo | Return boat, mud bath, Zones A and B, lunch | About 1,040,000 VND (about US$40) |
| VinWonders + Hon Tam combos | Theme park ticket + mud bath + lunch | About 1,120,000–1,350,000 VND |
| Children and seniors | Priced by height: child rate roughly 80–140 cm, adult above 140 cm; senior rate from age 60 with ID | Check when booking |
| Mud bath hours | Daily | About 8:00–16:40 |
Prices are set by Hon Tam Resort and change with promotions; confirm the current package at the port or when booking online.
How to Visit Hon Tam Step by Step
- Book a package online or buy it at Hon Tam Port (near Cau Da) on the day.
- Arrive at the port at least 15 minutes before your boat; speedboats leave about every 20 minutes in the daytime.
- Cross in about 10 minutes and check in at the resort reception.
- Swim first while the sea is calm, then take the mud bath before the midday crowds.
- Have lunch, relax by the pools and catch an afternoon boat back.
How to Get to Hon Tam Island
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nha Trang beach hotels | Taxi or Grab to Hon Tam Port (near Cau Da) | About 15–20 minutes |
| Hon Tam Port | Resort speedboat (included in packages) | About 10 minutes |
| Cau Da Port | Island-hopping tour boat (Hon Mun, Hon Mieu, Hon Tam) | Full-day tour |
| Cam Ranh Airport | Car north to Nha Trang | About 45–60 minutes |
For taxis and airport transfers see our guide to getting around Nha Trang.
Best Time to Visit Hon Tam Island
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| February – April | Calm, sunny and not too hot; ideal beach weather |
| May – August | Hot, clear sea, busiest with Vietnamese summer holidays; go early |
| September – December | Rainy season; storms and rough sea, boats may be cancelled (worst October–November) |
| January | Often windy, cooler water; still fine for the mud bath |
| Time of day | 8:00–11:00 for calm water and fewer people |
Local Expert Tips for Hon Tam Island
These tips come from years of arranging Nha Trang tours for international travellers.
- Book online the day before; promotional prices are often lower than at the counter.
- Remove silver jewellery before the mud bath; minerals can tarnish it.
- Wear a dark swimsuit you do not mind staining.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water shoes for the pebbly parts of the shore.
- Combine with VinWonders on a two-day combo if you travel with children.
- See our Nha Trang tips before booking water sports.
Hon Tam Island vs Thap Ba Hot Spring
| Feature | Hon Tam Island | Thap Ba Hot Spring (mainland) |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Island resort with beach | Riverside hot-spring centre in the city’s north-west |
| Getting there | Speedboat, about 10 minutes | Taxi, about 10–15 minutes from the beach |
| Swimming in the sea | Yes | No (mineral pools only) |
| Best for | A full beach-and-mud day | A short mud bath combined with Po Nagar Cham Towers |
Our view: choose Hon Tam if you want the sea as well as the mud; choose a mainland hot spring if you only have a couple of hours and want to pair it with the Po Nagar Cham Towers.
Nearby Attractions
- Hon Mun Island: the protected reef and ebony cliffs, seen on bay boat trips.
- VinWonders Nha Trang: theme park, water park and aquarium on Hon Tre.
- Vinpearl Harbour: the mainland terminal for Hon Tre.
- National Oceanographic Museum: a few minutes from Hon Tam Port.
- Nha Trang Cathedral: the stone church in the city centre.
- Monkey Island: a different island day in Nha Phu Lagoon.
Sightseeing in Nha Trang for First-Time Visitors: Where Hon Tam Fits
Hon Tam is the perfect “slow day” in a three-day Nha Trang stay: one day for the city sights such as Long Son Pagoda and the Cham towers, one for Hon Tam and the oceanographic museum, and one for a longer trip north to Hon Noi or Doc Let Beach. Pick a base near the port or the beach using our Nha Trang hotel areas guide.
Plan your trip with our Nha Trang travel guide and Nha Trang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hon Tam Island
1. Where is Hon Tam Island?
Hon Tam is in Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa province, about 7 km from Nha Trang centre; boats leave from Hon Tam Port near Cau Da.
2. How much is a Hon Tam Island ticket in 2026?
The standard Hon Tam package with return boat and mud bath lists at about 640,000 VND, with online promotions from about 540,000 VND.
3. Does the Hon Tam ticket include the boat?
Yes, Hon Tam Resort packages include the return speedboat from Hon Tam Port.
4. How long is the boat ride to Hon Tam?
About 10 minutes by speedboat from Hon Tam Port.
5. What are the Hon Tam mud bath opening hours?
The Hon Tam mud bath is open daily from about 8:00 to 16:40.
6. Is the Hon Tam mud bath good?
Yes, it is one of Vietnam’s largest mud-bath complexes, about 16,000 m², with warm mineral mud and pools set above the sea.
7. Can you swim at Hon Tam Island?
Yes, the resort beach on Hon Tam’s west side is sheltered and has a marked swimming area.
8. Is Hon Tam Island good for children?
Yes. Hon Tam has calm water and good facilities, and children are priced by height.
9. How much time do I need at Hon Tam?
Plan at least half a day at Hon Tam; a full day lets you add lunch and Zone B.
10. Can I combine Hon Tam with VinWonders?
Yes, combo tickets pair Hon Tam with VinWonders Nha Trang and lunch, from about 1,120,000 VND.
11. Is there food on Hon Tam Island?
Yes, Hon Tam Resort has restaurants, and lunch can be added to your package.
12. What is the best time to visit Hon Tam?
February to August, ideally in the morning, when the sea around Hon Tam is calm.
13. Can I snorkel at Hon Tam Island?
Short snorkelling sessions are sold on the Hon Tam beach as an extra; coral is limited near the resort.
14. What should I bring to Hon Tam?
Bring a dark swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, water and a change of clothes; ask at check-in about towels and lockers.
15. Does Hon Tam close in bad weather?
Boats to Hon Tam stop when the port bans sailing during storms, mainly between October and December.
16. What does Hon Tam mean?
Hon Tam (Hòn Tằm) means “Silkworm Island”, after the shape of its ridge seen from the mainland.
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