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Infomation Hon Mun Island Marine Haven
Discover Hon Mun Island in Nha Trang
| Location | 12.170° N, 109.258° E |
| Distance | ≈ 10 km offshore (20 min speedboat) |
| Hours | 07:00 – 17:00 (last boat 15:30) |
| Fee | 22 000 VNĐ island/MPA fee │ beach chairs & shower extra |
| Time Needed | 3 – 4 h (half-day snorkel) |
| Review rating | 8.3 / 10 |
| Highlight | Vietnam’s first marine protected area, 340+ coral species |
1. Why Visit Hon Mun Island?
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Electric-blue visibility: Up to 15 m clarity—rarest along the Vietnam coast.
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World-class reef diversity: 340 + hard & soft corals, clownfish, giant clams.
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Raw island vibe: No large resorts, only wooden snack kiosks and rocky coves.
Slip into the water and suddenly you’re eye-to-eye with sergeant majors—no aquarium glass, just heartbeat silence beneath the waves.
2. History, Legends & Cultural Significance
| Year | Timeline at-a-glance |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Hon Mun Marine Protected Area (MPA) is declared—the first in Vietnam. |
| 2015 | Visitor cap introduced (3 000 pax/day) to ease reef stress. |
| 2022 | Dive & swim ban (Jun → Oct) after coral-bleaching survey showed 70 % loss. |
| 2024 | Gradual reopening with mooring buoys, single-use-plastic ban. |
| 2025 | Community clean-up program removes 2 t of trash monthly; reef health shows early recovery. |
Locals call the headland Mun (“Ebony”) for its jet-black volcanic cliffs where swiftlets nest—hence premium Nha Trang bird’s-nest soup.
3. What You’ll Experience
H3 Scenery Highlights & Photo Spots
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Ebony Sea-caves: Contrast of black rock and neon-blue water—best at 10 am.
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Floating Bamboo Pier: Iconic drone shot; watch for canoes docking.
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Coral Garden #2: Shallow 3–5 m reef—perfect GoPro clip of clownfish carpets.
H3 Signature Activities
| Activity | Price | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkel set rental | 100 000 VNĐ | all day | Mask, fins, life vest |
| Intro-scuba dive | 900 000 VNĐ | 25 min bottom | PADI DM escort |
| Glass-bottom boat | 150 000 VNĐ | 20 min | Good for kids |
| Beach chair + shower | 50 000 VNĐ | until 16 : 00 | Facilities dated ★☆☆☆ |
H3 Local Food Nearby
Bring packed bánh mì from mainland—or grab grilled corn & fresh coconut (40 000 VNĐ) at the island kiosk; no full restaurant exists.
4. How to Get There
Self-Drive + Boat
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Scooter Nha Trang → Cảng Cầu Đá (6 km, fuel 20 000 VNĐ) → join walk-up speedboat (round-trip 400 000 VNĐ/pax). Parking 10 000 VNĐ/day.
Public Bus & Shuttle
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City bus #4 stops 300 m from the pier; fare 7 000 VNĐ.
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Daily shuttle vans sold by hotels: 80 000 VNĐ return.
Guided Day-Tours
Package (hotel pick-up, canoe, snorkeling gear, lunch) from 650 000 VNĐ.
| Self-Drive | Bus + Boat | Guided Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y 2025 cost | ~450 000 | ~250 000 | 650 000 + |
| Flexibility | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ |
| Hassle | Parking • haggle | Transfer | None |
| Gear included | No | No | Yes |
5. Must-Try Things On-Site
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Shallow-reef drift snorkel at Coral Garden #2.
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Cliff-jump (3 m ledge) on east cove—only at high tide, assess depth.
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Swiftlet cave kayak photo loop (extra 120 000 VNĐ).
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Underwater postcard—island post office stamps your dive log.
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Volunteer reef clean-up (Fridays, 13 : 30)—earn digital badge.
6. Nearby Attractions (≤ 15 km)
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Hon Tam Mud-Bath Island – mineral pools & zip-line (7 km).
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Vinpearl Hon Tre – water-park & night fountain show (5 km).
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Oceanographic Institute – vintage research tanks (6 km mainland).
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Po Nagar Towers – 8-century Cham temples (12 km mainland).
7. Practical Tips for Visitors
Dress Code & Packing
Reef shoes, biodegradable sunscreen (SPF 50+ reef-safe), dry-bag, spare T-shirt—no shops for replacements.
Cost Snapshot
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Island entrance | 22 000 VNĐ |
| Snorkel set | 100 000 VNĐ |
| Locker (rare!) | 30 000 VNĐ |
| Coconut drink | 40 000 VNĐ |
Safety • Etiquette • Accessibility
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Rocky shore—reef shoes a must.
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No lifeguards; currents strong after 15 : 00.
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Toilets outdated & smelly—bring tissues & hand-gel.
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Carry trash home; single-use plastics seized at pier.
Best Time & Weather Watch
Dry March → September: 28 °C water, visibility 10–15 m. Typhoon dips Oct-Nov; tours cancel if wind > 25 knots.
8. Sample Half-Day Itinerary
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 07 : 30 | Depart Cầu Đá pier |
| 08 : 00 | Arrive Hon Mun, kit up |
| 08 : 15–10 : 00 | Guided snorkel Coral Garden & cave kayak |
| 10 : 00–11 : 30 | Beach chill, coconut, photo drone |
| 11 : 45 | Return boat; lunch back in Nha Trang |
9. FAQs
Is Hon Mun good for non-swimmers?
Yes—glass-bottom boats show coral without getting wet.
Do I need to pre-book a tour?
Walk-up boats run every 30 min, but peak May & July sell out by 09 : 00.
Are bathrooms really that bad?
They are basic, often dirty. Bring sandals & wet wipes.
Is scuba diving still restricted?
Diving reopened with limited daily permits after the 2022 coral closure.
What shoes should I wear?
Neoprene reef shoes to avoid sharp cobbles and sea-urchins.
Image Hon Mun Island Marine Haven
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Image and video copyright: @Linkcheese
See more at placeinvietnam.com
Location Hon Mun Island Marine Haven
Address: Hon Mun Insland
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Personal Review
“Hon Mun’s turquoise water looks unreal! I always bring reef shoes—the shore is all ankle-size cobbles—but once you float, fish swirl right in front of the mask. Pay only for what you use and skip the grim bathrooms.” — Linh, Nha Trang-born dive guide
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