On ESX Hosts there are vmdk files. If you make a snapshot, there will be a postfix after the filename like 000001.vmdk.
This is only the difference related to the original vmdk file!
To get a Full Copy you must copy the whole machine (vmx-file, vmxf-file, all vmdk-files (including the snapshot ones)).
When you need to restore this machine, you use the import function in VMware and the machine will be available in the (possible inconsistent) state of the backup and additionally will have the snapshot, which is consistent.