- 1. Are Cham Islands worth visiting?
- 2. Best time to visit Cu Lao Cham Islands Hoi An
- 3. How to get to Cham Islands from Hoi An
- 4. Cu Lao Cham Islands’ entrance fees
- 5. What to see: Top attractions in Cham Islands Vietnam
- 6. What to eat: Must-try food on Cham Islands Hoi An
- 7. Notes for visitors to Cu Lao Cham Islands Vietnam
Cham Islands is an extremely attractive destination near Da Nang and Hoi An. This island cluster has a cool climate, a rich ecosystem and numerous pristine and charming beaches. Coming here, visitors will see only the green of hills and trees without the sight of resorts, hotels or restaurants bunching up together. All of these features make this place more and more alluring to domestic and foreign tourists.
1. Are Cham Islands worth visiting?
The cluster of Cham Islands consists of 8 different islands in Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An town, Quang Nam province. It is about 20 kilometers away from Hoi An and about 45 kilometers away from Da Nang. The island cluster has an area of up to 15.5 square kilometers. 90% of the island area is covered by vast green forests.
Here, there is a rich flora and fauna ecosystem and various historical sites that have existed for hundreds of years. In October 2003, the nature reserve of Cham Islands was established and is one of 15 marine protected areas in Vietnam. In 2009, this destination was recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve.
2. Best time to visit Cu Lao Cham Islands Hoi An
According to the experience of many tourists, you should travel to this island cluster between March and August. In this season, this place has warm sunshine, calm sea and little rain, so you can participate in many activities such as swimming, scuba diving, playing watersports, etc.
3. How to get to Cham Islands from Hoi An
To go from Hoi An to Cham Islands, tourists should go to Cua Dai port by taxi or motorbike, then choose 1 of the following 2 means of transportation:
- Speedboat to Cham Islands: This is the suitable means for those who like speed, with only about 20 minutes of travel time. The ticket price is about VND 200,000/person (around $9).
- Ferry to Cham Islands: This is the suitable means for people who want to bring their motorbikes on Cham Islands. With longer travel time on the sea, tourists may be more prone to seasickness. The ticket price is about VND 150,000/Vietnamese and VND 200,000 VND/foreigner (around $7 and $9 respectively). If you bring along your motorbike, an additional fee of 50,000 VND/vehicle is charged (around $2).
Note: there is only one ferry departing at 8:30 am per day.
4. Cu Lao Cham Islands’ entrance fees
As Cham Islands is a nature reserve, the following fees are also charged for visitors:
- Entrance fee: VND 70,000/person (around $3)
- Ecological fee: VND 20,000/person (around $1)
5. What to see: Top attractions in Cham Islands Vietnam
5.1. Beautiful beaches on Cham Islands
Coming to Cham Islands, visitors will have the chance to relax, swim, watch the sunset and enjoy various watersports at the following beautiful beaches:
- Bai Ong: A beach that has a long stretch of fine white sand, clear blue sea, green coconut trees and spinach beds. Here, you can swim in the sea and participate in games such as parasailing, jet skiing, etc.
- Bai Xep: A beach with clear blue water, it has the most beautiful coral reefs among the cluster of Cham Islands.
- Bai Chong: A beach with a white sand stretch, straight rows of coconut trees and rocks of various shapes stacked together.
- Bai Huong: A beach with a pristine fishing village located at the foot of a deep green natural forest. This is the ideal place for visitors to explore the life of fishermen and enjoy fresh seafood.
5.2. Museum of Cham Islands Marine Protection
The Museum of Cham Islands Marine Protection is a place where you can learn about the history, customs, cultural festivals of the indigenous fishermen and about the sea creatures. This place has a scale model of Cham Islands, providing a most comprehensive view of the 8 different islands of the cluster. In addition, the museum also displays samples of marine life in the area such as stone crabs, sea turtles, rare coral reefs, etc.
5.3. Local fishing village on Cu Lao Cham Islands
In addition to tourism, the residents of Cham Islands live mainly on fishing. Currently on the island, there are still some idyllic fishing villages at Bai Huong, Bai Lang, and Bai Ong beaches. Coming to these villages, visitors will have the chance to escape the bustle of the city and experience a peaceful countryside life.
5.4. The Champa ancient well
This 200-year-old ancient well of Champa is located in the residential area of Xom Cam. With the island being surrounded by the sea, this is the only source of freshwater that is free from saltwater or alum intrusion. Rumor has it that drinking the well’s water can cure seasickness, bring good luck and help mothers give birth at will.
5.5. Tan Hiep Market
Located right at the port, Tan Hiep market is a place where visitors can buy dried seafood, fresh seafood and souvenirs made from shells, snails, rocks, etc. The seafood at the market is cheaper than that in the mainland because it is caught by local fishermen and sold on the spot.
5.6. Hai Tang Temple
Hai Tang Temple is located at the foot of the western mountain of Hon Lao island, overlooking a large field. Despite the harsh nature, the temple has remained intact for hundreds of years. This sacred ancient temple has become a symbol of the island. Coming here, you will have the chance to learn more about history, sightsee, pray for good luck and keep your mind pure.
6. What to eat: Must-try food on Cham Islands Hoi An
After traveling to Cham Islands, a highlight that visitors won’t be able to forget about this place will definitely be its culinary dishes:
- Cellana: A species of sea snail which is a famous specialty of the Central Coastal region. Its meat is very sweet and crispy with medium softness.
- Cuttlefish: The grilled half-dried cuttlefish dipped in chili sauce will surely satisfy even the most fastidious diners.
- Stone crab: A species of crab that eats plants in caves and drinks early morning dew, so it has sweet, soft and greasy meat.
- Wild vegetables: There are many kinds of wild edible vegetables growing in the foothills of the islands.
- Abalone: The dishes made from abalone such as boiled, steamed or fried abalone are very attractive. Abalone meat is sweet and has an extraordinary taste.
- Sea urchin: Vendors often put 2-3 urchins into 1 shell, mix it with quail eggs or chicken eggs and then grill it on a charcoal stove.
- Crab: The crab meat of Cham Islands is firm and has a strong sweet taste, so it is very popular with tourists. A prominent dish is steamed crab with beer served with salt, pepper and lemon.
- Glutinous rice cake: This is a specialty of the people on Cham Islands. The cake has a sweet taste which comes from nivea leaves growing in rocky areas.
- Seaweed: The seaweed in this island cluster is unprocessed raw seaweed. It is a bit salty but contains a lot of nutrients which are good for health.
7. Notes for visitors to Cu Lao Cham Islands Vietnam
Coming to Cham Islands, visitors should take notes of the following:
- Bring sunscreen because activities are mainly outdoor
- Bring towels and swimwear if you plan on swimming
- Bring ID papers if you plan on renting a motorbike to ride around the islands
- Store belongings in biodegradable bags because the islands do not permit plastic bag use
- Comply with the regulations of the islands such as protecting the environment, not breaking the corals when diving, etc.
- Use of camera drones is not allowed here
After your tour around the island cluster, it is recommended that you also visit VinWonders Nam Hoi An – a nearby top-rated amusement park. Located only about 15 kilometers away from the center of Hoi An ancient town, VinWonders Nam Hoi An is an ideal place for visitors to experience the unique architecture, culture and art of Vietnam as well as other countries around the world.
Some attractive activities not to be missed when coming to VinWonders Nam Hoi An are:
- Visit the Harbor Corner and immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Hoi An in the 16th – 17th centuries
- Go to the Island of Folk Culture and watch the unique art performances of Vietnam
- Explore the River Safari on a boat ride and discover the home of more than 50 animal species
- Challenge yourself with more than 20 thrilling rides and nearly 100 indoor games at the Adventure Land
- Loosen up with 11 water games and cool down the summer heat in the Water World
>>> Book tickets to VinWonders Nam Hoi An today to complete your Cham Islands tour with lots of fun!
If you are looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and find inner peace, Cham Islands is an ideal choice. This pristine island cluster is perfect for tourists to relax at and regain their spirit after the long days of hard work in the city. Book voucher, combo, tour to Hoi An, Nam Hoi An now to explore the pristine island cluster and don’t forget to book tickets to VinWonders Nam Hoi An to have fun at this extraordinary amusement park!