Diver exploring the open water of Hòn Mun, Nha Trang
    PADI Open Water Diver · Nha Trang

    OPEN WATER
    DIVER

    From your first breath to a certified diver in just 3 days — trained in the real waters of Hòn Mun and recognised worldwide.

    3
    Days to certify
    18m
    Max depth
    10+
    Min age
    Your Transformation

    From First Breath to Certified Diver

    See what changes in just 3 days

    😔

    Before the Course

    • ✗Dreaming of exploring the ocean but limited to snorkeling
    • ✗Watching dive videos online, wishing you could experience it
    • ✗Feeling left out when friends share underwater adventures
    • ✗Unsure if you can handle breathing underwater
    Certified diver exploring the open water at Hòn Mun
    🤿

    3 Days Later

    • Diving independently to 18m anywhere in the world
    • Planning your first international dive trip
    • Certified for life – no expiration, no renewal
    • Confident and comfortable in any underwater environment

    Dive Worldwide

    Recognised in 180+ countries

    Lifetime Certification

    Never expires, never needs renewal

    Underwater Photography

    Capture incredible marine moments

    Global Community

    Join millions of PADI divers worldwide

    Your Learning Journey

    Master Essential Skills in 3 Days

    Each day builds on the last, transforming you into a confident diver

    Click each day to explore

    Theory & Pool Mastery
    Day 1

    Theory & Pool Mastery

    "Master the fundamentals in a safe environment"

    Equipment assembly & safety checks
    Breathing techniques & buoyancy control
    Mask clearing & regulator recovery
    Emergency procedures (buddy breathing, CESA)

    ✨ By end of day: You'll breathe comfortably underwater and handle all basic skills

    Why Vietnam Underneath

    Why Get Certified With Us?

    Join the divers who started their underwater journey with our expert-led, beginner-friendly approach.

    Small Class Sizes

    Maximum 4 students per instructor for personalized attention and faster skill development.

    Modern Safety Equipment

    Latest BCD systems, regulators, and safety gear maintained to PADI standards.

    Safety-First Coaching

    Patient, encouraging instruction focused on building confidence and proper technique.

    Clear Water Training

    Beautiful, protected training sites with excellent visibility and calm conditions.

    The Path

    Course Structure

    A step-by-step approach that builds your skills progressively from theory to open ocean.

    Chapter One

    Knowledge Development

    Master the theoretical foundations through learning modules that build your understanding progressively.

    12–15
    Total Hours
    20+
    Key Topics
    5
    Chapters

    Course Completion Requirements

    75%
    Pass Mark
    50
    Quiz Questions
    ∞
    Practice Attempts
    Before You Dive

    Waterskills Assessment

    Basic swimming requirements to ensure your safety and comfort in the water.

    Swimming Requirements

    1

    200m Swim or 300m Snorkel

    Demonstrate basic swimming competency in a pool or confined water

    2

    10-Minute Float

    Tread water or float without assistance for 10 continuous minutes

    Pool / Confined Water

    Assessment completed in a safe, controlled environment with instructor supervision.

    Am I Eligible?

    Please complete all required items before enrollment.
    Confined Water

    Confined Water Dives

    Master essential diving skills in a safe, controlled pool environment before progressing to open water.

    1
    2
    3
    4
    5

    Mastery Over Time

    Each confined water dive builds upon the previous one. You'll master fundamental skills step-by-step, gaining confidence and muscle memory before moving to the open ocean.

    Open Water

    Open Water Certification Dives

    Apply your skills in the real ocean environment and complete your certification requirements.

    Surface (0m)
    Deep Water (18m)
    Skill Library

    Flexible Skills System

    Master essential diving skills across four key categories. Tap any category to explore specific techniques.

    Student Stories

    Real Transformations, Real Confidence

    Hear from divers who started exactly where you are now

    Newly certified Open Water divers at Hòn Mun

    New divers, freshly certified at Hòn Mun

    "I was terrified of deep water. Three days later, I was diving at 18 meters with complete confidence. Huy's patience changed my life."
    🧑
    Nguyen Minh, 25
    Ho Chi Minh City • Open Water Diver
    Risk-Free Learning

    Our Promises to You

    We remove the risk so you can focus on learning to dive

    Flexible Payment

    Pay a small deposit now, balance on Day 1. No financial risk.

    Weather Promise

    Free reschedule if conditions aren't ideal for training.

    Extra Practice

    Struggling with a skill? Practice until you have it, at no extra charge.

    Certification Promise

    You'll leave certified — or keep training with us at no extra cost.

    Course Photos

    Underwater photos of your journey, included.

    Insured Training

    Diving insurance coverage throughout your course.

    Lifetime Value

    What Your Certification Unlocks

    Your Open Water certification is just the beginning of endless possibilities

    180+
    Countries

    Dive Anywhere

    Recognised at dive centers in 180+ countries worldwide

    ∞
    Lifetime

    No Expiration

    Your certification never expires and never needs renewal

    10+
    Specialties

    Continue Learning

    Unlock Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster pathways

    Global
    Community

    Join the Community

    Become part of a global community of PADI divers

    1000s
    Dive Sites

    Exclusive Access

    Dive sites, liveaboards, and experiences only open to certified divers

    Meet the team

    Meet Our Lead Instructor

    Learn from an experienced, PADI-certified Master Scuba Diver Trainer

    Huy Nguyễn — Master Scuba Divers Trainer
    Lead Instructor · PADI MSDT

    HuyNguyễn

    Master Scuba Divers Trainer

    “Safety is a habit you practice on every dive—never a checkbox.”

    13 certs10+ yrs1,000+ trained5 dive sites★ 4× Elite Instructor
    Verify Instructor Credentials
    Teaching approach

    Huy Nguyen teaches scenario-based training with an emphasis on risk assessment, human factors, and deliberate practice. His courses follow a university-style structure: clear outcomes, coached repetitions, and objective assessment so divers build durable competence.

    Before focusing on instruction he guided extensively around Nha Trang and the South Central Coast, logging varied conditions from gentle reefs to surge and current. This breadth informs realistic briefings and safety planning for new and advanced divers alike.

    Huy mentors small cohorts and integrates local reef-care habits—buoyancy discipline, finning that protects coral, and respectful wildlife interactions—so every dive contributes to an ocean-positive culture.

    Rescue coachingDivemaster mentoringNitrox planningBuoyancy & trim workshops
    Recognition · PADI

    Elite Instructor

    PADI's recognition for its top-performing instructors — 4 years earned.

    ★ Latest · 2024–25
    Tap to view · Elite
    Nha Trang, Vietnam Vietnamese, English

    Teaches Try Dive orientation; Open Water, Advanced, Rescue; Divemaster (intensive & internship); Nitrox.

    PADI Pro Chek · Verified

    13 Certifications

    Every credential below is independently checkable on PADI's official Pro Chek directory. Tap a certification to read what it covers — and tap Verify to confirm it directly with PADI.

    2 Core8 Specialty2 Professional1 Safety
    Q & A

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions from new divers about the Open Water course, equipment, and certification process.

    Your Adventure Awaits

    The Ocean Is Waiting. Are You Ready?

    Join the divers who started their underwater journey with just 3 days of training.

    PADI certified instructors with years of experience
    Small groups (maximum 4 students per instructor)
    All equipment and materials included
    Flexible scheduling to fit your plans
    PADI Certified
    Small Groups (max 4)
    Full Refund Policy

    Secure your spot today • Full refund available up to 7 days before course start