From breathtaking natural beauty such as the idyllic beaches of the pristine coastline and islands, to thousands of motorbikes buzzing through one of the many vibrant metropolises such as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is a land of staggering natural and cultural experiences. This unique country is also famed for its food, among the most flavorsome and healthy on the planet, and its friendly locals, who have helped Vietnam become a must-visit tourist destination.
Macro life is a big feature of diving in Vietnam. Hard and soft corals crowd the reefs off Nha Trang along with colorful reef fish, moray eels, lionfish, nudibranch, and anemone crabs. A closer look whilst exploring the reefs will reveal camouflaged scorpionfish, frogfish, cuttlefish and also hiding octopuses. Further up north at Whale Island or Hoi An, you might be able to sneak up on resting nurse sharks and white tips. Frequently look out into the blue for potential sightings of eagle rays cruising by. Seahorses are also something to look out for along with their cousins, the pipefish at macro dive sites. Down south at Con Dao and Phu Quoc, spot hawksbill turtles, passing sharks and rays in these rich waters. Bamboo sharks are a feature at Phu Quoc so be sure to work your dive master hard for a sighting. Sea grass meadows around the islands are also said to have the elusive and almost extinct dugongs.
Fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh international airports and take local flights to connect to coastal cities like Nha Trang and Hoi An or even islands like Phu Quoc and Con Dao. Local airlines Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines have frequent daily flights from Ho Chi Minh and Jetstar is also active in Vietnam. Alternatively, take overnight sleeper trains or busses directly into coastal cities from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and even Da Nang. Boat transfers will be typically arranged by dive operators and resorts to reach islands like Whale Island.
Diving in Nha Trang takes place in two main areas.To the northwest of Phú Quốc, there are a series of dive sites that offer the ultimate conditions for those just learning the sport. The waters here are clear and calm, sheltered from the strong currents that affect other areas around the island. Marine life in these dive sites includes a variety of hard and soft...
Diving around Nha Trang takes place in one of three locations. Hon Mun Marine Park, 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of Nha Trang, features pinnacles that slide from the surface down to 150 feet (50 meters). Macro and reef life is healthy here. Alternatively, Moray Beach, with its shallow sandy bottom, is great for training dives and, of course, for spotting moray eels...