IslandsHòn Mun (khu bảo tồn biển vịnh Nha Trang)
Hon Mun Marine Protected Area
Quick answer
The core zone of Vietnam's first marine protected area, a dark volcanic island about 14 km out in Nha Trang Bay, long the country's best-known dive and snorkel site. In late June 2022 the authorities suspended swimming, diving, boating and glass-bottom boats around Hon Mun after surveys found live coral cover had collapsed from about 52% in the south-west and south-east in 2015 to under 11% in 2022, with some locations down more than 70%; bleaching in 2020 and 2023 and years of unregulated boat traffic were blamed. Diving has since reopened under a limited daily permit system and quarterly monitoring dives show slow but real recovery - reef-building coral grows only about 1 cm a year - while tighter visitor caps remain in force.
Practical
| From the beachfront | 14 km · 25 min |
|---|---|
| Entrance | Marine protected area fee 22,000 VND adult, 11,000 VND child (2026); boat tours, dives and gear are charged separately |
| Hours | Daylight, by boat tour or dive centre; access is permit-limited |
| Best time | March to September for visibility; avoid the October-December swell season |
| Allow | half day to full day |
| Foreign visitors | Allowed |
Why go
- Still the best coral and the clearest water in Nha Trang Bay, even after the 2022 damage
- Vietnam's first marine protected area, with a coral nursery and restoration programme you can see the results of
- Dive sites suit both first-time try-dives and certified divers
- The marine-park fee is trivial - 22,000 VND adult, 11,000 VND child
How to get there
By tour boat or speedboat from the Nha Trang Tourist Port at 388 Vo Thi Sau, roughly 14 km out. There is no independent access - you must go with a licensed operator.
Tips
- Daily permits are capped: book a dive or snorkel trip in advance rather than turning up at the port
- Do not touch, stand on or take coral - this is the site the province closed once already, and enforcement is now serious
- Wear a rash vest rather than sunscreen if you can; chemical sunscreen is part of the reef damage story here
- If an operator promises to take you to Hon Mun without a permit, they are either lying or breaking the rules - walk away
Map
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to visit Hon Mun Marine Protected Area?
Hon Mun Marine Protected Area: Marine protected area fee 22,000 VND adult, 11,000 VND child (2026); boat tours, dives and gear are charged separately. Fees change, so treat this as the last published figure rather than a guarantee.
How far is Hon Mun Marine Protected Area from the beachfront?
Hon Mun Marine Protected Area is about 14 km from the Tran Phu beachfront by road, roughly 25 minutes by taxi.
When is the best time to visit Hon Mun Marine Protected Area?
Best time for Hon Mun Marine Protected Area: March to September for visibility; avoid the October-December swell season.
How long do I need at Hon Mun Marine Protected Area?
Allow half day to full day for Hon Mun Marine Protected Area, not counting the journey each way.
Can foreign visitors go to Hon Mun Marine Protected Area?
Yes, foreign visitors are permitted at Hon Mun Marine Protected Area under the current rules. Carry your passport.
How do I get to Hon Mun Marine Protected Area?
By tour boat or speedboat from the Nha Trang Tourist Port at 388 Vo Thi Sau, roughly 14 km out. There is no independent access - you must go with a licensed operator.
Sources
5Every figure on this page comes from one of these pages, fetched on the date shown, or is computed from coordinates.