Hoang Ngoc Mai: Dive, don't be afraid!

Hoang Ngoc Mai is a 9x generation living in Ho Chi Minh City, but is a digital-nomad - a term used to refer to people who do not live or work in one fixed place but often travel to experience life in many places and work online.

Ngoc Mai has dived in the waters of Vietnam (Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Con Dao), Thailand (Ao Nang Bay (Krabi), Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Phuket), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Maldives. She has experienced diving next to tiger sharks (the most ferocious shark in the ocean after the white shark), diving among millions of sardines, diving to explore shipwrecks in the middle of the ocean or diving in thundery weather conditions...

Explore the ocean

“Starting from a passion for exploring the unknown and being fascinated by the mysterious life under the sea with its unique ecosystem (about 71% of the earth's surface is covered by water, but so far humans have only explored about 5% of the ocean), I started my journey with diving to understand more deeply about this world different from land” - Ngoc Mai said.

Experiencing scuba diving in different sea areas both domestically and internationally helps Ngoc Mai “enjoy” the novelty, appeal and uniqueness of each area. She said: “Scuba diving is affected by many factors such as diving season, weather, climate, currents, clear waters or mysteriously deep places...”.

“Live every moment to the fullest, pursue what you desire, experience things you have never tried before, do your best at work and love the people you cherish” is Hoang Ngoc Mai's philosophy of life.

“Even when returning to the same location, each dive still becomes a unique journey with different surprises: today you encounter this school of fish, tomorrow you encounter another school of fish, the day after that you can see a rare marine species if you are lucky. This interesting thing helps me not only overcome my fear but also find a true passion for diving,” Mai said.

Benefits of scuba diving

“Diving is an effective way to reduce stress,” said Ngoc Mai. “Immersing myself in the ocean gives me the feeling of being a small fish that is part of a quiet and magical water world, bringing indescribable relaxation, comfort, and satisfaction.”

Scientifically, when free diving deep, the water pressure increases, the human body will receive more oxygen in the blood, creating a feeling of comfort and more energy. "Diving is an opportunity for you to listen to your body, connect deeply with your inner self, increase your confidence, overcome your limits and find solutions for everyday life" - she added.

Ngoc Mai aims to get a master diver license, continue diving in Vietnam and explore new diving spots abroad in 2025.

Ngoc Mai affirmed: “Diving is a sport suitable for all genders. Women diving does not have any significant obstacles, sometimes the obstacles become advantages” (laughs). For example, when scuba diving, assembling or carrying equipment can be a bit heavy. However, if you are a woman, you will receive enthusiastic support and help from your male “diving companions” (the majority).

Sports “are an indispensable part of life” that helps Ngoc Mai maintain her health, stay active and have very few minor illnesses. Besides her passion for scuba diving, she also jogs, plays volleyball, badminton, skydives, goes on picnics…

Dive in, don't be afraid!

There are many different types of diving to suit individual preferences such as scuba diving, freediving, or mermaid diving... "Diving is an adventure sport that requires careful preparation in terms of knowledge and skills. However, learning to dive is not too difficult and does not require any special talent. You just need to be in good health and love to explore the ocean" - Ngoc Mai shared her experience.

Her important note is that if you want to participate in scuba diving, contact reputable diving training centers for detailed advice on internationally certified courses. When diving, you must strictly follow safety regulations (dive at licensed locations or under the guidance of professional centers/divers, absolutely do not dive alone...). Your level and skills will be perfected and improved through each actual dive.

Ngoc Mai said the opportunity to admire the magical beauty of the underwater world, from the vibrant coral reefs to the colorful schools of fish swimming around, "brings a unique and different experience from the space on land."

Basic diving courses usually last about 3 days, enough for learners to master how to use equipment, control themselves, and skills to handle safe underwater situations. For types of diving that do not use much support equipment, learners need to focus on techniques to control breathing, heart rate, and body balance to dive deep and extend the time underwater.

Ngoc Mai shared: “Every time I return to the sea, I cannot help but feel troubled when witnessing the amount of coral being “bleached”, significantly decreasing on a large scale for many reasons. Therefore, I encourage everyone to try diving to admire the beauty of coral while it still exists. I am concerned that if timely protection actions are not taken, future generations may no longer have the opportunity to enjoy the magical beauty of coral and colorful fish.”

Loyalty

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202505/hoang-ngoc-mai-lan-di-dung-so-5ca03d4/