travel-hoi-an-cu-lao-cham

Nov 12, 2023 | Attractions, Hoi An

Discover Vietnam’s Hidden Paradise Cu Lao Cham Island!

Attractions, Hoi An

Travel Hoi An – Cu Lao Cham is a destination that attracts thousands of tourists every year. If you are also passionate about pristine natural landscapes, you cannot miss this place!

If you want to “embrace” the charming sea and island scenery of the central region of the country, Cu Lao Cham island is a best destination. Attracting tourists from all over with its intact beauty and wild colors, Cu Lao Cham is a place where #teamyourvietnam.org can temporarily put aside the troubles in their minds and receive youthful energy from the green carpet of nature. 

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Of course, clear golden sunshine, cool water, and, of course, listening to mysterious local anecdotes. Another advantage of Cu Lam Cham is that it is located next to Hoi An and Da Nang. You can combine travel in a convenient one or two-day itinerary.

Where Is Cu Lao Cham?

Cu Lao Cham also has another common name: Chiem Bat Lao. This island has an area of about 15km2 and a population of more than 2,950 people; located in Hoi An City, Quang Nam province, 15km East of the mainland. 

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Cu Lao Cham is the main island with the most significant area, surrounded by eight other small islands in an arc shape. Because it is still quite wild, the ecosystem here is still vibrant.

Initially a deserted island, in 2009, Cu Lao Cham was recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s biosphere reserves. Since then, the island has been licensed to exploit and promote tourism. With rare wild beauty, Cu Lao Cham today has become an attractive tourist destination in Da Nang and Hoi An.

So if you have a chance to travel Hoi An and Da Nang, remember to plan a day for exploring Cu Lao Cham!!!

Which season is the most beautiful to travel Hoi An – Cu Lao Cham?

According to the experience of many #teamyourvietnam.org, you should travel to Cu Lao Cham from March to August. Because the weather in Cu Lao Cham during this season will be warm sunshine, calm sea, and little rain, you can participate—in discovery activities.

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The remaining months often have storms, rough seas, and quite big waves, so there will be no boat to take you to the island. If you want to combine Cu Lao Cham tourism with the travel Hoi An tour, you should go on the full moon day of the lunar calendar to admire the romantic shimmering colors of lanterns.

==> Read more: Travel Hoi An A-Z: Best time to travel in the year

Means of Transportation to Cu Lao Cham, Quang Nam

Because Cu Lao Cham is an island 15km from the mainland, there are two primary means of transport for you to get from the mainland to the island: canoes and wooden boats.

Canoe

Cano is a suitable means of transportation for those who are passionate about adventure and have a strong feeling about surfing. Travel Hoi An – Cu Lao Cham by canoe has the advantage of saving travel time. 

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It only takes you about 20 minutes. However, with relatively high costs of about 400,000 VND/adult and 200,000 VND/child, #teamyourvietnam.org should consider it.

Wooden ship

Wooden boats give you the feeling of floating gently on the sea, slowly admiring the seascape throughout the journey. With a cheaper price of only 150,000 VND/per Vietnamese person and 200,000 VND/foreigner. 

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However, it will not be suitable for people prone to seasickness, and travel time will also be slower. Note: If you want to bring a motorbike to the island, you must pay an additional fee of 50,000 VND/motorbike.

Travel Hoi An Cu Lao Cham – What need to bring?

There are many exciting entertainment activities on Cu Lao Cham, so you need to prepare enough luggage to participate conveniently. In addition to personal items, you should bring the following necessary items:

  • Beach clothes.
  • Hat and sunscreen.
  • Seasickness medicine, stomach ache medicine, headache medicine.
  • Identification documents (used to rent a motorbike to visit the island if desired).
  • Personal medical bag to prevent accidental injury.

Planning to travel Hoi An, especially exploring the Cu Lao Cham tour is easier if you follow some tips we suggest. Visit yourvietnam.org fanpage to find!

What to do when traveling to Cu Lao Cham?

It is no coincidence that travel Hoi An has become a tourist destination that attracts tourists from all over. This place has a variety of entertainment activities and beautiful island landscapes!

Ngo Dong Hoa Street

Field corn is most colorful when summer is close to early autumn (July – August). Stretching along the streets of Bai Lang, Bai Xep, and Bai Huong, visitors will be fascinated by the sight of thousands of sycamore flowers blooming, painting the sky with brilliant red. 

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Even though the rain and wind continue to interfere, the sycamore trees are still sturdy and tall, symbolizing the resilient will of the people of the Central region in the face of difficulties and challenges.

Travel Hoi An – Eo Gio

Eo Gio is located in the East of the Cu Lao Cham archipelago, 3km separate from the Bai Lang residential area. And it is a destination to be noticed if you want to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise or watch the beautiful sunset. 

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Blue mountains and a vast, endless sea surround Eo Gio. This place is like a solid wall, providing protection for coastal fishermen, symbolizing the sustainability and courage of fishermen in the face of the waves and winds of the sea.

Hai Tang Pagoda

Hai Tang Pagoda is located at the foot of the mountain to the west of Hon Lao, from where there is a panoramic view of the vast fields. Despite its cruel nature, this temple has still stood firm and existed for hundreds of years. 

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With its sacredness and antiquity, Hai Tang Pagoda has become a typical symbol of the island, deeply embedded in the subconscious of the people here. When travel Hoi An here, visitors will explore history, learn about the Buddhist religion, admire the beautiful view of the temple, and pray for peace and purity of soul.

Travel Hoi An – Tan Hiep Market

Tan Hiep Market, with a prime location right next to the pier, is a destination to be noticed when exploring Cu Lao Cham. At this market, visitors will experience a colorful world of seafood and unique souvenirs, from the fresh flavors of dried seafood and fresh seafood to souvenirs made from seashells. , snails, rocks,… 

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At this market, you can also buy fresh seafood at cheaper prices than on the mainland. Because they are caught and sold on the spot by local fishermen. There.

Ong Cu Lao Cham Beach

Ong Cu Lao Cham Beach is one of the four most famous beaches here. In the past, Ong Beach was the residence of the Tien Sa Huynh people, dating back up to 3,000 years. Currently, this area is still preserved to serve scientific research projects. 

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That’s why Bai Ong Beach in Cu Lao Cham is not only a beautiful landscape but also a destination imbued with the cherished culture and history of Vietnam. 

Because it is a famous tourist destination, Ong Beach has many entertainment services to serve tourists, such as swimming, diving to see coral, giant float houses, restaurants, and picnics,…

Fishing on Cu Lao Cham

If you are a good fisherman, how can you miss recreational fishing activities in Cu Lao Cham? Rent a boat from a fisherman, and they will prepare your fishing rod and bait.

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With the dedicated guidance of the boat owner, you will be able to fish to bring home as “trophy freely.” In addition, you can take a boat around the large and small islands to admire the beauty of this place.

At night, there is also squid fishing by basket boat, giving you an extremely new experience. Fish and squid will be brought to processing shops to be used on the spot; what could be better than that?

Travel Hoi An – Walk Under the Sea

With this unique experience, #teamyourvietnam.org will be able to see and experience a vast aquarium world freely. The remarkable thing is that you do not need to carry complicated equipment such as oxygen masks, air tanks, or frog legs.  

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You need to wear an oxygen supply cap and follow the instructions from the tour guide. From there, you can rest assured to explore the seabed without encountering any obstacles.

With the fantastic beauty of colorful coral reefs and abundant life, the undersea world will bring you beautiful moments of relaxation and comfort. Let’s immerse ourselves in this adventure and feel the endless joy in the ocean, #teamyourvietnam.org, shall we?

Camping at Cu Lao Cham

If you decide to stay on Cu Lao Cham overnight, try renting a camping tent right on the beach. When night falls, the atmosphere becomes vibrant with fun activities, exchanges, and campfires. 

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Immerse yourself in this space, lie down, and admire the bright starry sky – a sight that we often find difficult to find in noisy urban areas. Those who have experienced these exciting moments at Cu Lao Cham will forever be engraved in their memories and never forgotten.

Explore the Primeval Forest of Cu Lao Cham

After having enough “vitamin sea,” I found nothing like the green area with ancient forests and dangerous ravines. Along the trails climbing up the mountainside, you will be immersed in an excellent green space filled with the scent of ancient forests and blooming wild orchids. 

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Besides, make it to Da Stream, which has a majestic and astonishing scene. If you want to find a romantic and poetic space, go to the gentle Love Stream, where the sound of gurgling water and beautiful scenery will bring you memorable experiences.

Travel Hoi An – Bai Xep Beach

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Bai Xep impresses visitors with its wild and quiet beauty. This beach is home to rare coral species that are being preserved. The sea water is so clear that you can see the bottom even when standing on the shore. This is also an ideal location for exciting coral diving activities in Cu Lao Cham.

North Beach of Cu Lao Cham

Bai Bac is a beach located far from the center of the island, so it is still quite wild. There are small resorts and restaurants to serve tourists. 

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You may not know that scientific researchers chose this place as a place to preserve rare sea turtles, and in the future, we will develop a type of turtle egg-hatching tour similar to Con Dao.

Travel Hoi An – Bai Ruong Beach

Bai Ruong is a beach located between Bai Ong and Bai Bac. This beach is relatively small, so it is not exploited for tourism. However, because of this, if you are passionate about backpacking, you can set up a tent and organize your picnic here.

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Cham Ancient Well

Cham Ancient Well in Xom Cam is located at the intersection of the road in the Cam hamlet residential area. About 500m to the Northeast is the ancient Pre-Sa Huynh relic of Bai Ong, about 300m to the southwest of Bai Lang archaeological site. The structure of the ancient Cham well has a unique style similar to many other types of Cham wells in Hoi An.

People living in Bai Lang village added that Gieng Xom Cam is a rich source of water for people in the area. A unique feature is that the water of this well never runs out, even during the dry season with the lowest rainfall.

According to many people here, the water from the Ancient Cham Xom Cam Well is highly effective in curing seasickness. If anyone goes from the mainland to Cu Lao Cham island and gets seasick when travel Hoi An, take this healthy water and cook it with herbal leaves growing in the forest of Cu Lao Cham. Drinking it will cure seasickness immediately.

Scientists have yet to determine the exact age of the Cham Ancient Well. However, through comparing and contrasting evidence from ancient sources, experts believe that the Gieng Xom Cam may have been built over 200 years ago.

Travel Hoi An – Cu Lao Cham Marine Museum

Cu Lao Cham is like other biosphere reserve islands in Vietnam, with beautiful beaches, pristine scenery, abundant seafood sources,… But the mark that this place leaves on tourists is the people. The people here know how to exploit the inherent advantages of the land they live in.

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Cu Lao Cham Marine Museum is always the first stop for tourists when arriving at the support. Although the museum is not large, with a passionate and proud tone about the history of Cu Lao Cham, you will be drawn into the timeline of those years. 

From the history of formation, traditional customs of the islanders, festivals or precious products of the sea here will definitely give you a surprising and exciting experience.

If you want to know more about the history of Vietnam, you can explore Hoi An ancient town through the article Travel Hoi An A-Z: Revealing interesting things about Hoi An

Coral diving on Cu Lao Cham

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Coral diving on Cu Lao Cham is an indispensable activity in tours. You can see the magic of coral reefs and a variety of marine species. And you can also completely rest assured. Because diving to see coral is very safe, with the guidance of professional divers, so no need to worry!

What to Eat in Cu Lao Cham? Cu Lao Cham Island Specialties

Specialties in Cu Lao Cham can be said to be countless, not only the dishes but also the decorative items that tourists love and can’t bear to let go of. You will be able to attend five types of specialties in Cu Lao Cham when you arrive here.

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  • Mot Nang Squid: A type of squid that is dried once and is very crispy, grilled, and highly fragrant.
  • Oc Vu Nang: This may be the first time you’ve heard this rather strange name. Oc Vu Nang only appears on the full moon day. They have a slightly skewed cone shape that looks very similar to a young woman’s breasts. Nanny Snails can be processed into many delicious dishes with an unforgettable sweet taste!
  • Abalone: Cu Lao Cham has a lot of Abalone. They live by sucking hard on the reefs on the beach, making it very difficult to separate. The meat of Abalone is crispy and sweet and can be prepared in many dishes, such as Charred garlic, steamed ginger, and stir-fried,…
  • Wild Vegetables: 16 types of wild vegetables in Cu Lao Cham have the taste of traditional medicine. They grow and develop at the foot of the mountains. If you want to eat wild vegetables, go to Cu Lao Cham in early summer. Because this is the time to harvest vegetables. Boiled vegetables served with dipping sauce are not only delicious but also good for health.
  • Souvenirs: Souvenirs in Cu Lao Cham are very diverse, from bracelets, wind chimes, bags,… All made from very unique and strange snail shells.
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==> Explore more specialties when travel Hoi An through this article

Delicious Restaurants and Eateries in Cu Lao Cham

Dan Tri Restaurant

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Dan Tri Restaurant is only a short distance from Cu Lao Cham port, about 2 to 3 minutes walk. With a classic Vintage style space, the restaurant creates a unique space with hand-painted signs and nostalgic tables and chairs.

  • Address: Cu Lao Cham, Bai Lang

Travel Hoi An – Hai Quynh Restaurant

Hai Quynh Restaurant is one of the restaurants in the chain at Ong Cu Lao Cham Beach. The characteristic of this restaurant is the combination of natural materials such as thatch, bamboo, leaves, and construction materials close to nature. Thanks to that, not only does it bring beauty, but it also creates harmony with the landscape and marine environment here.

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  • Address: Bai Ong tourist area, Cu Lao Cham

Truong Kep Restaurant

Truong Kep Restaurant has a rustic and simple space, creating an area close to nature. This restaurant is located near the beach, with a roof covered with coconut leaves, creating a relaxed and natural atmosphere. 

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When you come here, remember to order yourself a plate of stone crab or sunny squid – two famous dishes of the restaurant, which will definitely satisfy culinary souls.

  • Address: Cu Lao Cham, Bai Ong

Hotels and Resorts Near Cu Lao Cham

Below is some information about resorts and hotels when travel Hoi An. From here you are easy to go to Cu Lao Cham.

Vinpearl Resort & Spa Hoi An

Address: Cua Dai Beach

Reference price: from 2,714,000 VND/room

Ngo Khanh Homestay

Address: Bai Huong, Tan Hiep

Reference price: from 421,000 VND/room

Bellerive Hoi An Hotel and Spa

Address: 33 Le Dai Hanh

Reference price: from 3,180,000 VND/room

Muong Thanh Holiday Hoi An Hotel

Address: Group 9, Phuoc Trach, Phuoc Hai

Reference price: from 1,275,000 VND/room

Travel Hoi An – Mad Monkey

Address: 250 Cua Dai

Reference price: from 920,000 VND/room

Through the fascinating introduction above, are you excited to pack your backpack and travel Hoi An – Cu Lao Cham? There are thousands of exciting things in Cu Lao Cham waiting for your discovery. Before leaving, visit yourvietnam.org Blog to gain more Hoi An travel experiences, Hoi An hotels, resorts, and homestays for a more complete trip.

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