Vietnam has stunning diving spots with vibrant coral reefs & marine life. 5 diving in Vietnam best places are Con Dao, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Cu Lao Cham, Vinh Hy.
Having dived in Vietnam many times, I have found that this country has countless beautiful dive sites, with diverse corals and clear blue water. Every time I dive, I am fascinated by the vibrant and colorful marine world.
Top 5 most beautiful diving spots in Vietnam
Having dived many times in Vietnam, I have found that each dive site offers a unique experience, from vibrant coral reefs to colorful tropical fish. Here are my detailed impressions of the 5 most memorable dive sites.
#1. Con Dao (Ba Ria – Vung Tau)
The first time I dived in Con Dao, I was fascinated by the pristine and clear sea. I flew from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao, then took a canoe for about 20-30 minutes to Hon Bay Canh and Hon Cau.
As I dived, the diverse coral reefs and schools of tropical fish swimming around me felt like I was in another world. I tried snorkeling and scuba diving, both experiences were exciting and a little thrilling, making it one of the diving in Vietnam best places.
Half-day snorkeling tours cost about 650,000 VND/person, intensive diving costs 890,000 – 1,400,000 VND, and premium tours that rent private canoes can cost up to 6,800,000 VND/person. All tours come with a tour guide and full equipment, including insurance. After diving, I stopped at a few small restaurants along the beach, enjoying fresh seafood, feeling relaxed and close to nature, with few visitors so it was very quiet.
#2. Phu Quoc (Kien Giang)
Phu Quoc is vibrant and colorful. I fly to the center of the island, then take a taxi or shuttle bus to the canoe pier to get to An Thoi archipelago and Hon Thom, making it a top spot for scuba diving Phu Quoc.
Go diving in Phu Quoc (Kien Giang)I joined the Try Dive tour, snorkeling and professional diving, all with a guide. The price for a day tour is about 510,000 – 650,000 VND, night diving without a certificate is about 1,900,000 VND, two try dives are about 2,000,000 VND.
The most impressive thing for me is the coral reefs with many shapes and colorful sea fish. After diving, visitors can enjoy seafood at resorts or restaurants near the pier. Phu Quoc is more crowded than Con Dao, but professional tours make the experience still very comfortable.
#3. Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa)
Nha Trang is a “coral paradise” and is very accessible. I took a taxi from the city center to Cau Da port, then took a canoe to Hon Mun, Hon Tam, and Monkey Island. I tried 1-on-1 diving and learned professional diving, with an instructor accompanying me every step of the way, ensuring my safety and telling me about the fish and corals.
Day island tour, including lunch, about 1,200,000 VND/person. I liked the rich coral reef, vibrant tropical fish and after diving, I stopped by Lan Rung restaurant on the island to enjoy fresh seafood.
The airy space, serving a variety of dishes such as squid, lobster and grilled fish, makes the diving experience more complete. Although Nha Trang is crowded, thanks to professional guides and tours, the diving is still comfortable and safe.
#4. Cu Lao Cham (Quang Nam)
Cu Lao Cham offers a peaceful and natural experience. I took a boat from Hoi An to the island, the feeling of surfing made me excited before jumping in the water. I joined snorkeling, scuba and sea-trek, all accompanied by a guide, full equipment and insurance.
Snorkeling costs about 150,000 VND/person, scuba diving 500,000 – 800,000 VND, sea-trek about 950,000 VND, 1-day tour from Da Nang about 550,000 VND. The thing that impressed me the most was walking on the seabed and watching schools of fish hiding in the coral.
After diving, I stopped to enjoy fresh seafood at Dan Tri restaurant near the pier, which serves many specialties such as rock crab, dried squid and sea snails. The quiet space, with few customers, made the post-diving experience more relaxing and close to nature.
#5. Vinh Hy Bay (Ninh Thuan)
Vinh Hy gives me a feeling of wildness and absolute relaxation. I took a car from Phan Rang to Vinh Hy port, then a canoe to Yen Cave, Turtle Island, and Rai Cave. When snorkeling, I felt like gliding on the clear blue water, observing corals and colorful fish from a glass-bottom boat, making it one of the diving in Vietnam best places.
The price for light snorkeling is about 120,000 VND, glass bottom boat combined with 90-minute coral diving is about 140,000 VND, 2-day 2-night tour is about 1,690,000 VND/person if traveling in a large group. All tours have full guides, equipment and insurance.
Vinh Hy is very peaceful, with few visitors, allowing me to fully enjoy the natural beauty and relax under the sea without being disturbed by crowds.
05 notes when diving for foreign tourists
Through many diving trips when I travel Vietnam, I have found that to have an enjoyable and safe experience, foreign tourists need to pay attention to some important things.
- Pre-dive medical check-up: Not just general health, but anyone with heart, blood pressure or ear, nose and throat problems should consult a doctor before diving. When I meet a few tourists who skip this step, they often tire quickly or become uncomfortable underwater, which reduces the memorable experience.
- Choosing a reputable tour and guide: I have tried snorkeling tours without a professional guide and found that navigating between islands, handling equipment and staying safe underwater is much more difficult. An experienced guide will help you not only dive safely but also discover the best coral reefs and schools of fish.
- Familiarize yourself before diving: When I first tried scuba diving in Phu Quoc, I spent 10-15 minutes practicing breathing with the tank and adjusting the mask and fins. This helped me gain confidence and avoid feeling panicked when encountering small difficulties underwater.
- Respect the marine environment: Do not touch the coral, catch fish or throw rubbish into the sea. I have seen tourists accidentally touch the coral and damage a small part of the reef; it makes me realize that every small action affects this precious ecosystem.
- Choosing the time to travel: I always advise tourists to pay attention to the weather and choose the right diving season. Vietnam’s seas in the rainy season have big waves, strong currents, and are dangerous to dive. The times I dived between March and September in the South, the sea water was clearer and safer, making the experience more complete and enjoyable.
Conclusion
From the wild and quiet of Con Dao and Vinh Hy to the colorful corals of Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Cu Lao Cham, Vietnam is truly one of the diving in Vietnam best places. With proper preparation and respect for the environment, every dive reveals a magical underwater world.
