Nha Trang Marine Biology Institute Overview and History
The Nha Trang Marine Biology Institute was established in 1923 during the French colonial period and has been operated by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology since 1952. The National Marine Museum is the museum with the largest collection of marine specimens in Vietnam, and is listed in the Vietnam Record Book as of 2012. The museum holds approximately 20,000 marine specimens.
Location and Access
The museum is located on Cầu Đá Street (01 Cầu Đá) near Cầu Đá Port, at the southern end of Nha Trang's Trần Phú beach. It is positioned about 6 km south of the city center and is easily accessible.
Transportation Guide
| Transportation | Details | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike/Car | Head toward Trần Phú Street from Lê Thanh Tôn Street, then continue to Cầu Đá Port | About 15–20 minutes |
| Bus | Board bus #4 from the city center or Lê Thanh Tôn station; get off at Cầu Đá station or Vinpearl Port station and walk. Bus #4 operates from 5:10 AM to 7:10 PM | About 20–30 minutes |
| Taxi/Grab | Call via app or use local taxi services | About 10–15 minutes |
Admission Information
The museum is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM. As of 2025, adult admission is 40,000 VND. Students pay 20,000 VND, and children under 6 are free. Parking fees and guided tour services incur additional charges.
Main Exhibition Layout
Ground Floor: Live Aquarium Zone
The ground floor features large glass tanks where visitors can observe a variety of marine life including reef sharks, sea turtles, sea snakes, sea anemones, pufferfish, and lionfish. Additionally, approximately 300 rare and valuable species of marine animals are on display. Information about each species is provided in both Vietnamese and English.
Special Exhibition: Every Sunday from 9 AM to 10 AM, the museum offers a performance where staff members feed the aquarium fish. Visitors can observe this feeding time.
Upper Level: Large-Scale Specimen Exhibition Hall
The upper level houses approximately 20,000 specimens representing over 5,000 species of marine life (freshwater and saltwater) preserved in glass containers filled with formaldehyde solution. These specimens were collected from Southeast Asia, particularly from the East Sea.
Massive Specimen Exhibition
The museum's giant specimens include a humpback whale skeleton measuring 18 meters in length and weighing 18 tons, which was excavated in 1994 from the Red River Delta after being buried in the soil for over 200 years. Additionally, a rare and endangered Dugong (Dugong dugon) skeleton discovered in 1997 on Côn Đảo Island is also on display.
Special Exhibition Spaces
The museum features several exhibition rooms themed around marine science and the history of research equipment, including "From Light to Life" (focusing on algae and phytoplankton) and "Life in a Drop of Water" (displaying microorganisms and aquatic life).
Practical Tips
- Best visiting time: Visiting on weekday mornings or early afternoons helps you avoid tourist crowds.
- Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes, as you will need to move between various exhibition areas across the museum's expansive grounds.
- Important notes: Avoid making loud noises, do not touch the specimens on display, and do not feed the animals.
Additional Activities
Beyond indoor exhibitions, the museum offers outdoor activities such as observing coral via glass-bottom boat or snorkeling. These services operate from 9 AM to 11 AM only and require additional fees.
Nearby Attractions
Tháp Bà Ponagar (Po Nagar Cham Towers) is a historical site located approximately 2 km from Nha Trang city center and can be visited together with the museum.
Before Your Visit: It is recommended to check official channels for the latest information on operating hours, additional fees, and special programs before your visit.
Latest Information
Admission fees, operating hours, transportation options, and tour inclusions may vary depending on the season and operational circumstances. Please verify this information through official channels before making a reservation.