Diving in Vietnam: 5 destinations not to be missed

Vietnam is quite famous for its beaches. It's only natural that this Southeast Asian wonder has more to offer than the scenic nature of its beaches - it's a popular snorkelling destination! Vietnam's deep turquoise waters and unspoiled beaches are the perfect places to dive into the sea and swim among the diverse marine life.

Some of the best places to snorkel in Vietnam are:

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1. Hoi An - Diving in the Cham Islands

Hoi An has a certain charm - it's rustic, old-fashioned and romantic. But that's not the best thing about it - it's also one of the best snorkelling destinations in Vietnam. The Cham Islands of Hoi An are home to a wide variety of marine wonders, and snorkelling in this area strikes a delicate balance between lazing around and getting that perfect tan and exploring the blue depths of ocean paradise.

Snorkelling in Hoi An often includes a free authentic meal at a local seafood restaurant and costs around 1,000,000 VND (about 40 USD) for two sites. The best beaches for snorkelling in Hoi An are Cua Dai and An Bang. Cua Dai is said to be slightly better due to clearer water. However, it also sees a lot of tourists.

>> Read more: Hoi An of Vietnam - Top 10 things to do in Hoi An

2. Nha Trang - Diving in Vietnam's favourite beach town

A popular beach town, Nha Trang is a great place to snorkel in Vietnam. Hon Mun Island is the perfect place for snorkelling in Nha Trang. You can marvel at the rich diversity of coral reefs and over 300 species of colourful fish as you swim in the blue waters. The Hon Mun Islands also has a unique facility of a glass bottom boat where you can sit in the boat and view the fish and reefs if you are not comfortable snorkelling with a tuba.

The whole area is free from pollution due to it being a marine reserve. It has over 12,000 hectares of water and is suitable for all kinds of people with varying degrees of experience. The cost of snorkelling is around 2,000,000 VND (80 USD), the best beaches being Bai Dai and Nu Tien.

>> Read more: Top 10 things to do in Nha Trang

3. Son Tra Peninsula - Diving in Danang

The Son Tra peninsula is a natural wonder with dense vegetation and a diverse array of flora and fauna. Due to its nature, the corals and marine organisms found are obscure in shape and often not found elsewhere, providing one of the best snorkelling experiences in Vietnam. Son Tra Peninsula is located 13 kilometres from Danang.

A speedboat from Danang takes you to Son Tra Town via Bai But and Bai Rang. From the main town, a canoe-kayak takes you to the south beach, where you are sent to explore the deep blue seas and snorkelling. The coral reefs are so big you can see them from the canoe itself. The tour also includes a visit to Son Tra Linh Ung Pagoda - the largest pagoda in Da Nang. From here, you can see the whole Son Tra peninsula. The whole tour, including transportation, snorkelling equipment and a visit to the pagoda, costs around 5,000,000 VND (about 200 USD).
Some of the best beaches for snorkelling in Son Tra Peninsula include Bac My An Beach, Bai Nom Beach and Bai Nam Beach. These beaches have excellent facilities when it comes to trainers and snorkelling equipment.

>> Read more: What to do and see in 1 or 2 days in Da Nang?

4. Phu Quoc Islands - Explore the marine beauty of Vietnam

Phu Quoc is one of the most popular dive sites in Vietnam due to its clear waters, white sands and 30m ocean depth. The sea water is very calm and has great visibility. The diving area is also quite large, with permission to dive from the Northwest part of the island to the small archipelago of the South. It is often said that diving is best in the Northwest part, but snorkelling is encouraged in the archipelago area. There aren't many big fish to see, but you'll find plenty of schools of small fish here, as well as great coral reefs. Snorkelling in the Phu Quoc Islands costs around 800,000 VND (about 19 USD). The best beaches for divers are Bai Dai, Bai Ong Lang and Bai Sao.

>> Read more: 12 Unmissable experiences in Phu Quoc Island

5. Con Dao Islands - Vietnam Dive Destination for Green Sea Turtles

Con Dao Island has an offshore beach located nearly 800 metres from the main town. The currents are quite strong, and you have to wade into the water to get a view of the reef due to poor visibility. However, once you reach the reef, the view is simply spectacular! The colourful corals are home to a variety of marine species, such as clams, parrotfish, crabs, etc. This area is also one of the only places where you can observe green sea turtles while snorkelling in Vietnam. Lo Voi and Dam Trau are the best beaches for snorkelling in Con Dao Island.

>> Read more: Top 10 most beautiful islands of Vietnam

6. Tips for diving in Vietnam

+ Swim with a friend or an instructor. Swimming alone is dangerous, regardless of your level of experience.

+ Make sure your mask, fins and snorkel fit properly. Safety is very important on the high seas, and it is important to ensure that your equipment is not faulty.

+ Use sunscreen and hydrate well before entering the water.

+ Be aware of the ocean and its information, such as currents present, wave and swell size, wind speed and any other potential hazards.

+ Do not touch marine life. They can be poisonous.

With its rich and pristine natural beauty, snorkelling in Vietnam is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience - feel the sea all around you and experience - the sounds and colours of the brilliant and diverse marine life are indeed life-changing. It's not only safe, but it's also very affordable. Let’s discover the depths of the sea!

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