Vietnam Nha Trang, 23 November 2014; Whale skeleton in the National Oceanographic Museum ; Shutterstock ID 335284430; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

Shutterstock / Zhukov Oleg

National Oceanographic Museum

Nha Trang


Housed in a grand French-colonial building in southern Nha Trang, this dated museum has 60,000 or so jars of pickled marine specimens, stuffed birds and sea mammals, and displays of local boats and fishing artefacts. There are tanks with reef fish (and sharks) but the (rescued) seals and marine turtles are kept in pitifully small enclosures. Displays focus on environmental education, with good English descriptions.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nha Trang attractions

2. Mai Loc Gallery

2.21 MILES

The fine monochrome photography of Mai Loc, a native of Nha Trang, is showcased at this gallery. Ask him about his life story (he's an ex-gold miner,…

3. Do Dien Khanh Gallery

2.59 MILES

Do Dien Khanh is a welcoming host and very talented photographer of Vietnamese landscapes and life – his portraits of minority people are captivating…

4. Hon Mieu Aquarium

2.65 MILES

Billed as an outdoor aquarium, it's actually more a fish-breeding farm where over 40 species of fish, crustacean and other marine creatures are raised…

5. Nha Trang Beach

2.8 MILES

Forming a magnificent sweeping arc, Nha Trang's 6km-long golden-sand beach is the city's trump card. Sections are roped off and designated for safe…

6. Nha Trang Cathedral

3.21 MILES

Built between 1928 and 1933 in French Gothic style, complete with stained-glass windows, Nha Trang Cathedral stands on a small hill overlooking the train…

7. Alexandre Yersin Museum

3.29 MILES

This small museum is dedicated to the scientist Dr Alexandre Yersin (1863–1943), who founded Nha Trang’s Pasteur Institute in 1895. The Swiss-born Yersin…

8. Long Thanh Gallery

3.48 MILES

This gallery exhibits the work of Long Thanh, one of Vietnam’s most prominent photographers, who shoots powerful black-and-white images of everyday…