Originally from Milan, Italy, Ivan Zanellato was seeking new opportunities when he met Lodo and Gildas in Hoi An almost 20 years ago and not long after joined them as one of the first members of our Center. As Master Boatman, Ivan oversees our snorkeling operations and is an expert on all things Cham Island and Hoi An. Have a question? Ask Ivan!

Sylvain began diving at a very young age in France and eventually became a PADI Master Scuba Instructor, sharing his passion for diving with his students and clients. In addition, Sylvain is a professional underwater photographer and is responsible for all of the beautiful pictures taken at Cham Island Diving Center.

Gael has been living in Hoi An for over 15 years and has been an integral part of our international crew for more than 10 years. Before joining our team, he served as a certified lifeguard and swimming coach for many years, providing him with invaluable experience in water safety and swimming. His ease in completing his Divemaster Training was akin to a fish taking to water.

Diving is Pierre’s love and passion, having completed over 1,800 dives across the world. Always eager to chat, Pierre enjoys sharing the beauty of Cham Island and its ocean life with fellow divers.

Born into a fisherman community, Anitha has always been mesmerized by the ocean’s beauty and diversity. She became an instructor to share her love for the ocean and to inspire others to explore the underwater world with her.

Francesca, our diving instructor, has always had a passion for exploring the underwater world. As a child, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, “I would like to see the world.” Now, she has joined our team at CIDC to fulfill that dream, particularly in discovering the captivating seventh continent beneath the waves. Her contagious enthusiasm for diving is only matched by her dedication to sharing her love of the ocean with others. We are excited to have her on our team and can’t wait to see the exciting adventures she will lead.

Originally from Cham Island, Mẫn has been with Cham Island Diving Center for over 10 years and has become our divemaster. With extensive knowledge of all diving sites and stories from Cham Island, Mẫn is always delighted to guide certified divers and assist our instructor with courses, as well as helping our head snorkeling guide, Ivan, from time to time.

Hawk has been living in Hoi An for many years and has been diving with Cham Island since 2012. With a passion for the ocean and a deep respect for its inhabitants, Hawk is always eager to share his knowledge and experience with fellow divers and has joined our team in a part-time capacity. 

Ms. Thoi has been an integral part of the Cham Island Diving Center team since the beginning, overseeing the smooth operation of our tours and ensuring our customers have a satisfying experience. Her dedication to providing the highest quality service has helped make CIDC one of the most reputable diving centers in the region.

Ms. Ung has been with CIDC for many years and she takes care of all bookings with a smile. Her welcoming personality and attention to detail ensure that every customer is properly accommodated and satisfied with their experience with us.

Our skilled and experienced crew members come mostly from Cham Island, and have an intimate knowledge of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the area. They are always eager to assist our customers with getting ready and equipped for their dive or snorkel, and are dedicated to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on board.

In 2002, Lodo met Gildas, a Frenchman who shared his passion for diving and new adventures. After completing all the necessary courses to become a Padi instructor in Thailand, Gildas returned to Hoi An to join forces with Lodo and establish the Padi Dive center. Together, they became pioneers of diving in Vietnam and enjoyed many successful years. Although Gildas has since passed away, his spirit lives on through the crew and the work of Cham Island Diving Center.

Lodovico Ruggeri is a lively Italian who has called Southeast Asia home for 18 years. In 2002, Lodo obtained the first-ever tourist permit for visitors to Cham Island, offering tours that included snorkeling, visits to the island’s beaches and villages, and of course, plenty of Lodo’s signature charm. It was here that the idea for Cham Island Diving Center was born.