Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham), Hoi An

From March to August is a suitable time to visit Cu Lao Cham. At this time, the sea water is warm, the sky is sunny and clear, and the sea is calm and gentle.

If you want to combine a trip to Cu Lao Cham with a visit to Hoi An ancient town, you should go on full moon days. Because at that time, you will have the opportunity to experience and admire the unique culture here. You should choose the 3rd or 4th of April to participate in the Cau Ngu festival. Or you can also go to Hoi An on the 9th and 10th of March to attend the Anniversary of the Bird's Nest Craft.

Hoi An is located in Quang Nam province, the nearest airport is in Da Nang, about 30m from Hoi An. You can choose a number of airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir or Jetstar to travel from Hanoi or Saigon to Da Nang. Most air tickets to Da Nang from the above points are quite cheap, ranging from 500.000 VND - 800.000 VND.

In addition, you can also book train tickets to Da Nang. Travel time by train is about 14 hours - 20 hours to reach Da Nang from Hanoi or Saigon.

Long-distance buses are also a reasonable economical choice. It will take you about 18 hours - 20 hours from Hanoi or Saigon to Da Nang city. Some long-distance bus companies you can choose to take are Hoang Long, Hlink, Thuan Thao, Mai Linh, ...

Visitors can take tours to Hoi An, these short tours usually depart every morning here. A tour to Cu Lao Cham usually includes a tour guide, bus and a snack during the trip.

Besides, if you want to experience this island yourself, you can try moving here by many different means that people on the island often use such as speedboats, wooden boats, fishing boats, inflatable rafts, etc.

For speedboats, you can take a taxi to Cua Dai wharf to buy tickets. Normal departure time is from 8 am -10 am. Ticket price per person is 150.000 VND, travel time is about 20 minutes.

For wooden boats, you can go to Bach Dang or Cua Dai wharf at 7 am every day to buy wooden boat tickets. Ticket price is about 30.000 VND/person and 80.000 VND if you bring a motorbike.

After arriving, you can experience this island by motorbike. Fishermen here rent motorbikes for 150.000 VND - 200.000 VND/day, you will have to pay for gasoline yourself. However, before renting a car, you need to check the braking system closely and always wear a helmet to ensure safety when traveling, because on the island there are many rough roads and steep slopes.

In particular, if you are traveling in a large group, you can rent a private wooden boat or speedboat to make traveling more convenient and avoid seasickness.

Furthermore, you can also visit the bay here by large boat with ticket prices from 500.000 VND - 1.500.000 VND/trip. On these ships, scuba diving services are provided to see coral.

To visit Cu Lao Cham completely and leisurely, the Cu Lao Cham two-way speedboat is the best choice for you. With modern ships and a team of professional drivers, you will have an exciting trip while gliding on the sea surface and looking at the clear blue sea water. And the high-speed boat will eliminate worries for those who love river travel but suffer from seasickness.

If you choose to explore Cu Lao Cham during the day, you should choose a 1-day tour, because the time it takes to run a tour by canoe or on your own is almost the same. Going on a tour will be more economical and more comfortable, mostly during the day. There will be a tour to pick you up in Da Nang, pick you up in Hoi An or pick you up at the port. When taking the tour, you just need to be at the pick-up point and the tour guide will come pick you up and take care of you from A - Z.

Cu Lao Cham is not only known for its 8 famous islands, but it also contains many attractive tourist destinations.

Tourists will definitely not be able to "hold back" the beautiful beaches in Cu Lao Cham:

• Bai Ong: owns a long stretch of fine white sand, clear blue sea water, straight rows of coconut trees and rows of green sea spinach. Coming here, you can swim and participate in games such as parasailing, towing boats, motorbikes on the sea,...;
• Bai Xep: is a beautiful, pristine beach with clear blue water. This place has some of the most beautiful coral reefs on Cu Lao Cham;
• Bai Chong: Has fine white sand, straight rows of coconut trees, diverse polymorphic rocks stacked on top of each other like symbols of husband and wife, yin and yang,...;
• Bai Huong: is a pristine fishing village, located at the foot of a deep green natural forest. This is an ideal place for visitors to explore the life of fishermen and enjoy fresh seafood.

The first stop when arriving on this island is the Cu Lao Cham marine museum. The museum will help you visualize the panorama of culture, history and people here.

The Cham ancient well, also known as the Cam Hamlet Well, is located at the intersection of concrete roads in the Cam hamlet residential area, dating back about 200 years. Cam hamlet Well is a place that provides year-round water for villagers.

Built in 1758, Hai Tang Pagoda is located at the foot of the western mountain of Hon Lao Island. Inside the pagoda there are gilded parallel sentences, horizontal panels, massive worship statues and a large ancient bell. This place is often a familiar destination for villagers when praying to Buddha.

Cu Lao Cham Market is always the busiest and busiest place, because it sells many Da Nang specialties originating from the rich forest and sea, at affordable prices. Tourists often buy sunny squid as gifts for friends and relatives. One-sun squid is so popular because like its name "One-sun squid", people will choose fresh squid from the sea, then leave it to dry in the sun only once.

Cornflowers here bloom best in late summer - early autumn (around July - August). During the flower blooming season, walking along Bai Lang, Bai Xep, and Bai Huong streets, visitors will be able to admire the crimson flowers blooming. Despite the harsh rain and wind, the sycamore trees still grow strongly like the resilient will of the people of the Central region in the face of sun, rain and challenges.

The attraction in Cu Lao Cham comes not only from the beautiful natural scenery and fresh air but also from the biodiversity. Therefore, diving to see coral and marine life here always attracts tourists.

The most interesting coral diving activity is around noon, when the sun is high, the sunlight will shine down to the bottom of the sea. The aquatic animal such as seaweed, coral, sea creatures,... will appear vividly before visitors' eyes. Tourists will be truly overwhelmed by the beauty of the seabed ecosystem here.

Joining the underwater walking tour, you will be able to freely see and explore the large aquarium. Tourists do not need to wear fancy equipment such as oxygen masks, air tanks, limbs, etc., they just need to wear an oxygen supply cap and follow the tour guide's instructions to feel secure undersea set. The beauty of colorful coral reefs, calmly playing fish,... will bring you the most relaxing and comfortable moments.

After freely playing with the ocean waves, you can explore the primeval forests and dangerous ravines here. When following the trails climbing up the mountainside, you will immerse yourself in a cool green space, enjoy the beauty of wild orchids,... Visitors can also visit Da stream and Tinh stream is gentle and poetic.

When coming to Cu Lao Cham, never miss the opportunity to enjoy the unique culinary specialties here. Any visitor coming here wants to taste the delicate yet unique flavors of stone crabs, abalone or wild vegetables - vegetables harvested in early summer every year.

For the most convenience in eating, you should contact the motel owner to order meals for peace of mind. The price of 1 serving is only about 50,000 VND. If you want to eat yourself or enjoy more cuisine here, you can refer to some of the dishes below:

• One-sun squid: Here, the squid has just been caught and dried in just one sun, ensuring that when enjoying it, you will only want to buy more to bring home to your family.
• Stone crab: A large, strong crab that lives in the mountains. There are crabs as big as a fist with very impressive colors, but they are very difficult to catch, they are only abundant and deliciously prepared here. Many tourists often buy them as gifts, but eating here is still the best.
• Vu Nang Snail: This snail is very rare. Even after soaking for a few hours, you can only catch a small amount.
• Wild vegetables: When many protein-rich dishes become popular, Cu Lao Cham wild vegetables are the dishes that most tourists often choose. Boiled or stir-fried wild vegetables are the most enjoyed dishes. Unique flavor, easy to eat and eaten with chili garlic fish sauce, very delicious.
• Ramie leaf rice cake: You will see them sold a lot at the wharfs on Cu Lao Cham Island. The cake is wrapped with forest leaves that have a unique aroma and a unique flavor that is only found here.
• Grilled oysters: This dish is very delicious and easy to buy.

• You should prepare essential beach equipment such as: swimsuit, sunscreen, insect repellant, personal belongings, etc. In addition, you also need to bring reserve food such as bread, water,...
• Bring all identification documents such as: ID card or identification card to facilitate car rental and accommodation.
• In particular, Cu Lao Cham says no to plastic bags, so don't bring plastic bags before going to the island.
• When participating in diving to see coral, breaking or bringing coral to the mainland is strictly prohibited. In addition, you should also pay attention and consult the instructor about safe diving experiences in advance.
• Families with very young children or the elderly should consider going to Cu Lao Cham. If going, it is best to book a tour.

Invite your friends and relatives to Cu Lao Cham to enjoy wonderful, interesting things and discover new things right here.