Vietnam is growing as a tourist destination, but is still years behind the over-commercialisation of places like Thailand.

Nha Trang is the diving capital of Vietnam and is probably the busiest and most developed seaside city. There are many local divecentres here run by Cowboys! Choose your dive operator by looking for the highest PADI accolades: a CDC or IDC or a 5 star centre. There are 2 good operators here.

Whale Island is a remote and exclusive 'desert island' just north on Nha Trang. Accom is in bamboo bungalows on the beach. Very basic, but pure escapism! Just 1 excellent dive operator resident on the Island (PADI 5 star & National Geographic centre!)

Hoi An is a beautiful French style Colonial city which offers some excellent diving. 1 local operator there should be avoided, but the other 2 are fine. The most outstanding operator is a PADI 5 star & National Geographic Divecentre.

Phu Quoc Island is in the Gulf of Thailand, off the Cambodian coastline, but is definately a Vietnamese Island! Diving here is not spectacular, but safe and easy. Ideal for training. Avoid the local operators; they are simply not safe! Use the PADI 5 star & National Geographic centre.