For a day trip from Nha Trang, we took the family on an unforgettable Phan Rang desert tour. We booked through a local tour company, Nha Trang Baksa, and everything from resort pickup to the desert and a local lunch was well organized. Best of all, it was fun for our son too. If you’re traveling Nha Trang independently, this is the route I recommend. Mui Ne also has dunes, but it’s too far, so the nearer Phan Rang desert is the better choice for a short trip. Here’s the tour stop by stop.
1. Resort Pickup and the Drive
- Departure: 8:30 a.m.
Early in the morning, a van picked us up at the resort. Our friendly guide spoke fluent Korean, which made the whole day easy and fun.
The drive took about two hours. The guide shared fascinating stories about Vietnamese history and culture, and we stopped at a few scenic spots for photos along the way.
2. Sheep Farm
Our first stop was a sheep farm, a place kids especially love. You can feed and pet the sheep, and time with them on the open grassland became a special memory for the whole family.
The Phan Rang desert area is also called the Tanyoli theme park. While you wait for your jeep, you can play with the sheep. Nha Trang is hot, but Phan Rang is the hottest, driest part of the region.
There were horses and ducks too, and Yans loved seeing the animals.
Surprisingly, there were yurts as well. I thought those were only in Mongolia, but apparently there are nomads in this area too.
3. The Phan Rang Desert Tour
After the farm, we headed into the vast Phan Rang desert.
Our jeep arrived. I wanted a pink jeep, but none were left. If you’re planning a Phan Rang desert tour, booking a pink jeep is optional; you’ll see lots of them and can take plenty of photos with them anyway.
The endless dunes looked like a movie set. You can tear across them on an off-road tour by ATV or jeep, and kids can ride too. While we drove up and down, Yans played in the sand and we captured the vast scenery.
The route covers the red “burning” desert, the white desert and an oasis.
Here are my tips for the Phan Rang desert, especially what to wear.
- Clothing: the sun is strong, so bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Wind-blown sand stings, so wear long pants; we didn’t know and our legs hurt. A hat with a strap and a hair tie help in the wind, and white or bright colors look great in photos.
- Water: the desert is hot and dry, so bring plenty.
- Shoes: sand gets everywhere, so wear comfortable shoes that protect your feet.
- Phone protection: keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.
- Camera: bring a camera or phone to capture the views, fully charged.
- Ear cleaning: sand gets everywhere, so consider booking an ear-cleaning barbershop that evening or the next day.
The red desert is nicknamed the burning desert, and its red sand felt like the Middle East. We tried sand sledding, and the off-road descents were thrilling.
Next was the white desert, with pale sand and a completely different feel.
We got some amazing shots of Yans here; in the desert, every photo looks great.
Don’t worry if you miss out on a pink jeep. I was a little disappointed too, but travelers happily share jeeps for photos. Every moment in the Phan Rang desert is photo-worthy. Here are three great family photo spots:
- Dune tops: the best place to take in the stark desert views; sunrise and sunset photos are even better.
- Along the horizon: walk the wide plains or pose with the dunes behind you.
- On the jeep: snap action shots as you race across the sand.
All three capture the beauty of the desert and your family’s special moments.
Then came an oasis, with water and grass in the middle of all that sand. The desert portion takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
Lunch was next. It was included in the tour, and the food was so tasty, generous and good quality that I had to share it.
4. Vietnamese Lunch at Four Seasons Restaurant
We had local Vietnamese food at Four Seasons Restaurant, with fresh ingredients and excellent seafood.
The restaurant has a very Vietnamese feel. There’s an outdoor terrace, but it was hot, so we ate in an air-conditioned room.
We ordered coconut coffee and pineapple juice, which Yans had grown to love in Vietnam. Both were sweet and delicious.
Dishes included stir-fried pork, fried tofu, morning glory and fried shrimp.
They also served a huge fried egg for our son, and the rice portion looked like enough for five.
Our son got to try local flavors, and the sea view and atmosphere were as good as the food. Besides seafood, there were plenty of traditional dishes, and everyone left satisfied.
5. Po Klong Garai Temple
After lunch we visited Po Klong Garai. We bought tickets at the entrance and rode a buggy up; the walk is tiring, so I recommend the electric cart.
Built in the 13th century, Po Klong Garai is a Cham Kingdom site famous for its unique architecture and historical importance.
Listening to the guide, our son was fascinated and full of questions, and the view from the temple was moving.
As a Hindu temple, it has a dress code: no sleeveless tops or shorts.
The view from the high towers is gorgeous and perfect for family photos, and the guide’s explanations deepened our understanding of Vietnamese history and Cham culture.
6. Grape Farm Experience
Next was a grape farm, where we picked fresh grapes and chatted with local farmers about Vietnamese agriculture.
Yans loved picking grapes and was amazed at how sweet they were. Unlike Korean grapes, they’re seedless and very sweet.
We learned how the grapes are grown and harvested, and sampled grape juice, jam and wine. You can buy them too, at very low prices.
7. Hang Rai Beach
We planned to visit Hang Rai Beach after the farm, but heavy rain that day meant we couldn’t. On clear days, the tour includes sweeping views of the sea and coastline, with beautiful scenery and lively local life. I’d love to go back to see it.
8. Return and Total Time
The tour drops you back at your resort or in the city. The whole day took about eight hours and made for a special day in Nha Trang, and I can see why it’s so popular. The Phan Rang desert tour is perfect for the whole family, from resort pickup to the desert and a delicious local lunch, and our Korean-speaking guide made it even more enjoyable. If you want to make special memories with kids in Nha Trang, give it a try.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in May 2024 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.