Enjoy a fun-filled summer at Cham Island.

Text and photos:Lam Linh

Cu Lao Cham is an archipelago located in Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, about 15 km from Cua Dai beach. Despite being part of the famous tourist area of ​​Da Nang - Hoi An - Cua Dai - My Son Sanctuary, Cu Lao Cham still retains much of its pristine natural beauty. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2009 and is an exciting tourist destination for groups of friends or couples.

Move

Cu Lao Cham consists of 8 islands: Hon Lao, Hon Dai, Hon Mo, Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon La, Hon Tai, and Hon Ong. The population on these islands is approximately 3,000 people. To get to the islands, it only takes 20 minutes by speedboat (120,000 VND/person) or over an hour by local boat (30,000 VND/person). You can buy a one-day package tour from Da Nang for about 450,000 VND/person.

Playground

Peaceful and charming, daily life on Cham Island begins in the early morning before sunrise. The bustling fish market is filled with boats laden with catch, a lively scene of buying and selling. At midday, let the clear water envelop you, gently caressing and massaging your body. You can also lie lazily on the beach, enjoying the gentle morning sun.

The beach closest to the fishing village is Xep Beach, and the most beautiful beach is Chong Beach; both beaches are free from the disturbance of food and drink vendors.

Bai Ong site is a dwelling place of Pre-Sa Huynh people and is the oldest archaeological site in Hoi An (3,000 years old). Bai Ong site is also an important subject for research on Pre-Sa Huynh culture in the central region of Vietnam.

The Bai Lang archaeological site is also an important site within the Cham Pa archaeological system in Hoi An and Central Vietnam. Here, in addition to local artifacts, there are many ceramic and glass artifacts from the Middle East, India, and China dating from the 7th to the 10th centuries.

Besides archaeological sites, there is a fairly complete preservation of traditional cultural and religious institutions of villages in Central Vietnam. The religious relics still existing on Cu Lao Cham Island, mainly built around the 17th-18th centuries, include Dai Can communal house, the shrine of the tutelary deity, the shrine of the ancestors, the shrine of the god of agriculture, the shrine of the founder of the swiftlet farming profession, the tomb of the fisherman, the tomb of the goddess, the well of Xom Cam village, etc.

In particular, on Hon Lao Island, there is the Hai Tang Pagoda, belonging to the Mahayana Buddhist sect, built in the 18th century. It is a rather beautiful and large-scale structure with a "stacked beam and false support" architectural style, divided into three bays and two interiors, with a rear sanctuary, wooden truss structure, and elaborately carved architectural details.

A bicycle and a fascinating trip to explore Cham Island is the best way to enjoy the sea air. The small, winding paths snake through sand dunes, tiny houses, and fishing villages nestled along the coast. Let your bare feet touch the water and try catching some of the nimble crabs hiding in the crevices of the rocks.

A scuba diving trip or a stroll through the deep forests, or spending nights around campfires on still-uncrowded beaches will give you a true seaside party.

Hotel

On Cham Island, there are no hotels or resorts, but rather homestay-style accommodations, which are very interesting for anyone wanting to explore this beautiful green island. The price for homestay services is around 50,000 VND per person.

Cuisine

The specialties of Cu Lao Cham include "vú nàng" (a type of shellfish), stone crab, and other fresh seafood such as squid, shrimp, and lobster.

Cham Island places special emphasis on the environment. If you visit the island, please join hands to contribute to a Cham Island free of litter and plastic bags.

Estimated cost: Travel time of approximately 5 days will cost 3 million VND (excluding airfare for each leg of the journey).

The Thanh