Island trips and snorkeling: read this first
A ministry report of 20 May 2026 says that swimming and diving in the strictly protected zone of Hon Mun are still suspended, to help the coral recover. The same report notes young coral colonies and the return of reef fish, and announces further surveys. That is progress, not a reopening.
So a boat tour with Hon Mun in its name does not mean you may enter the water there. The restriction has been in place since 27 June 2022. Before you book, ask exactly where you can swim or snorkel, and for how long.
Bay fees in 2026
Per person and visit. Press report on resolution 02/2025/NQ-HDND, in force since 25 August 2025.
| Island or ticket | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hon Mun | VND 10,000 | Fee for the visit, not permission to swim |
| Hon Tam | VND 8,000 | – |
| Hon Tre | VND 8,000 | – |
| Hon Mot | VND 8,000 | – |
| Hon Mieu and Tri Nguyen | VND 6,000 | – |
| Whole-route ticket | VND 40,000 | Accident insurance not included |
These are bay visit fees. They are not boat tour prices and not resort prices. Children under 6 years and people with disabilities are exempt, and children from 6 to under 16 years pay half. Some other exemptions apply only to Vietnamese citizens or residents, so do not assume a senior discount for foreign visitors. Ask your operator whether the fee is already in the tour price.
Our picks: boat trips and diving
Two snorkeling boat trips with lunch and an introductory dive.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Introductory dive for uncertified divers
A dive master or instructor, equipment, dive boat, BBQ lunch and pickup with return transfer. Photos and video, drinks with the meal and VAT are extra.
Check availability →
Snorkeling boat trip with BBQ lunch and mud bath
Hotel transfer, boat, an English-speaking guide, BBQ lunch, all entry fees and the mud bath are included. Drinks with the meal cost extra.
Check availability →Half-day snorkel cruise with BBQ on board
Snorkel gear, a barbecue lunch, a stand-up paddleboard and hotel transfer from the city centre. Pickup from Cam Ranh resorts costs extra.
Check availability →Nha Trang boat trips and island tours
Bay cruises, island hopping and snorkeling trips, with live prices and availability.
What to ask before you book
Tours with the same photos can include very different things.
Which stops, exactly
Ask for the island and the snorkeling or swimming stop by name. If the answer is only Hon Mun, ask whether you may enter the water and where.
Time in the water
Ask how long you stay at each stop and whether swimming is part of the program or just a photo stop. A tour that promises snorkeling in the protected zone should be questioned.
Boat, insurance and gear
Ask about the type of boat, life jackets, accident insurance and whether masks, snorkels and fins are included. The bay fee does not include accident insurance.
Transfer and meals
Ask whether a hotel pick-up is included, what lunch covers and whether drinks cost extra. Compare tours by what is included, not by price alone.
Fees and refunds
Ask whether the bay fee is in the price, and what happens if the sea is too rough or the weather turns. Rain and wind can move or cancel a trip.
Weather by month →Behave in the bay
The reef is the reason the rules exist.
Do not touch or stand on coral, and do not feed animals. Take your trash back to the boat. Respect any local sign or crew instruction about where to swim. The coral recovery in Hon Mun depends on visitors keeping to the rules.
If you want to compare other boat-based places in Vietnam, Phu Quoc has its own snorkeling guide, and Lan Ha Bay is a bay of islands in the north.
Islands and snorkeling: frequently asked questions
Can I snorkel or dive at Hon Mun?
Not in the strictly protected zone. The ministry report of 20 May 2026 still describes swimming and diving there as suspended. The report does not announce a reopening. Ask your operator where in the bay you may enter the water.
How much is the bay fee?
From VND 6,000 to VND 10,000 per person and island, depending on the island, or VND 40,000 for the whole-route ticket. Accident insurance is not included. The fee is separate from the tour price.
Do children pay the bay fee?
Children under 6 years are exempt and children from 6 to under 16 years pay half, according to a press report on the rules. Confirm with your operator.
Is the bay fee the same as permission to swim?
No. The fee covers the visit. It does not allow you to enter the water in a zone where swimming is suspended.
When is the best time for a boat trip?
The drier months from January to August are the favored phase, and September to December is the rainy season. The sea can be rough in any month, so ask the operator about the forecast.