Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) – Cham Islands Marine Protected Area is located in Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, more than 15 km from Cua Dai port. It consists of 8 islands: Hòn Lao, Hòn Dài, Hòn Mồ, Khô Mẹ, Khô Con, Hòn Lá, Hòn Tai, Hòn Ong. Many visitors after visiting the ancient town of Hoi An often come to these islands to enjoy the peaceful, untouched beauty of nature.
The ideal time to travel to Cham islands
March – August every year is a suitable time for your visit. At this time, the weather is warm, sunny, clear and calm sea. Do not go in other months because of storms, rough seas, islands become isolated areas.
Combining your trip with visiting the ancient town of Hoi An lanterns, you should go on the full moon day of the lunar months. You should remember that on the 14th the city is more sparkling than the 15th.
If you want to participate in the religious culture of the local residents, you can choose to go on festivals such as Cau Ngu Festival (April 3-4 in the lunar calendar) or the death anniversary of the Bird’s Nest ancestor ( March 9-10 lunar calendar).
Transfer to Hoi An
Air Planes
Hoi An is located in Quang Nam Province but the nearest airport is in Danang (Hoi An is 30km from Danang). Currently airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, Vietjetair all operate routes from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh to Da Nang. If you want to buy low price tickets, you should book about 3 to 6 months in advance.
Other transportation: Cars, trains
From Hanoi or Saigon, there are train routes to Da Nang (North – South route), fares range from VND 400,000 to VND 1,200,000 depending on the train type and seat type. It takes 14 to 20 hours to travel from these two cities to Danang by train.
Coach: cost about 400,000 – 500,000 VND. Hoang Long Bus lines, FUTA Bus lines, Mai Linh and Thuan Thao. It takes 18 to 20 hours from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang.
From Danang
Every day we provide Cham Islands Daily Tour which is well-organised and very comfortable for tourist. Even if you don’t wanna take a tour, contact Mr Phuoc to book a daily bus to reach Cua Dai Port.
Transportation to Cham Islands
High-speed Boats: Ticket price per person is 150,000 VND, sold at Cua Dai port or travel agents in Hoi An, Da Nang. You will take about 20 minutes. Time to leave at 8h – 10h30.
Wooden boats: Tickets are about VND 30,000 per person and VND 80,000 per motorbike. You should arrive at Bach Dang wharf at 7am or Cua Dai port at 8am daily to buy tickets.
Transportation on Cham Islands
The most suitable mode of transportation is motorbikes. You rent at your motels on the island for 80,000 – 200,000 VND a day.
In addition, you can visit the islands with small wooden boats at a price of 500,000 – 1,500,000 VND once. These boats all include sorkeling services.
Cham Island Accomodation
Accomodation here are mainly homestays, located in Bãi Làng and Bãi Hương. A two-person room costs 150,000 VND/night. For solo renting, the price is about 50,000 – 100,000 VND per person.
Note: Bãi Làng is the port of both wooden boats and high-speed boats, Bãi Hương is for high-speed boats only. Depending on your transportation, you can choose homestays near the docking area.
In addition, if you prefer to be in harmony with nature, you can camp at Bãi Ông, Bãi Hương, Bãi Bìm. Tents rented by citizens on the island for 150,000 VND each.
Tourist attraction sites on Cham Islands
In addition to the beautiful beaches, Cu Lao Cham also owns many interesting destinations you cannot ignore such as:
Cham Islands MPA museum – Cham Islands Marine Protected Area
The first stop when the boat arrives at Cu Lao Cham Dock is the Cu Lao Cham marine museum. This is the place where you can learn the history, traditions, festivals, marine products … of this island, giving you a panoramic view of the island and its people. .
Ancient Champa Well
Also known as Gieng Xom Cam, dating back about 200 years, is located at the junction of roads of the Cấm neighborhood. The structure of the well is characterized like many other types of Cham wells in Hoi An such as: round tubular, round wall, square base, at each corner there is a square pillar.
People in Bai Lang village said that Gieng Xom Cam is an abundant source of water for people in the area. A special feature is that the water of this well never runs out, even in the driest season.
Hải Tạng Pagoda
Hai Tang Pagoda was built in 1758 at the foot of the western mountain of Hon Lao island. Inside the pagoda, there is a diaphragm, a gold-plated couplet, huge statues and a large bell. This is where people and traders go to pray to Buddha for blessing to do business.
Tan Hiep Market
Coming to Cu Lao Cham, tourists cannot miss Tan Hiep market, many people call it Cu Lao Cham Market, located right in the dock area. The market sells forest, sea specialties and souvenirs. Tourists often buy dried squid as gifts for friends and relatives. In the market can also as for discount but you should bargain only a little bit because these sellers do not overcharge you.
What to eat on Cu Lao Cham Island?
Dried Squid
The squid of Cu Lao Cham is quite diverse with many types: squid, octopus… but only squid can make delicious dishes. People choose the squid brought from the sea recently which is still fresh, then only exposed once under hot sunshine.
Cham Island Land Crab
Land crab is a rustic delicacy of Cu Lao Cham island that everyone who has come here is looking forward to tasting. Crab has a sweet taste, not the subtle smell of the sea creatures. Because rock crabs eat grasses on the mountain, the crab meat has a strong smell of forest leaves.
Forrest vegetable
Cu Lao Cham forest vegetables are composed of 16 types of medicinal herbs that grow wildly in the foothills such as: rau dớn, rau sân, rau lủi, mã đề, lettuce, psyllium, etc. At the beginning of the summer, it is the harvest of forest vegetables in island. The simplest and the most flavorful when enjoying is boiled vegetables, dipped with garlic and chili sauce.
Hemp leaves cake – Bánh ít lá gai
Hemp leaf cake is a type of cake found in many places, but eating this dish in Cu Lao Cham still has its own distinctive characteristics. Previously only during the festival, the island residents made this dish but today it is available throughout the year to serve the needs of tourists.
Notes for Cham Islands
– Cu Lao Cham Island is a place to say no to plastic bags, so before you go to the island you should not bring any plastic bags!
– Should prepare items such as hats, sandals, glasses, sunscreen, insect repellent (if you intend to camp) …
– Bring full identification documents to facilitate the car rental and overnight stay.
– When diving to watch coral, it is strictly forbidden to break or bring coral back to the mainland.
– The climate here is hot, so if you travel during the day, you should bring sunscreen and drinking water.
