1. Where is Cu Lao Cham Island?
Cu Lao Cham island cluster is also famous as Chiem Bat Lao, consisting of 1 main island and 8 small surrounding islands. This is an island with an area of about 15 km 2, located in Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam. About 20 km northeast of Hoi An city and more than 40 km southeast of Da Nang city.
2. How is Cu Lao Cham island unique?
Similar to Hoi An ancient town, Cu Lao Cham island to this day still retains its original beauty, rustic and peaceful character. Coming here, you will be transported to a paradise of blue sea and fresh air. If you are looking for a vacation place to temporarily escape the noise and dust of the city, traveling to Cu Lao Cham is the ideal choice.
In 2009, the Cu Lao Cham island cluster was recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve. This place also preserves up to 950 aquatic species. Tourists coming here are completely attracted by the pristine nature and peaceful and poetic fishing villages.
3. When is the best time to visit Cu Lao Cham island?
According to the experience of many tourists traveling to Cu Lao Cham, you should travel to this island cluster from April to August every year. In this season, this place has warm sunshine, calm sea and little rain, so you can participate in swimming, diving, playing on the beach,…
Note that in the remaining months, this island cluster often has storms, rough seas and quite large waves. Therefore, there are often no boats to take tourists to the island.
In addition, you can come here during its festivals. Such as Cau Ngu Festival in the beginning of the fourth lunar month. And the Nest Anniversary in the beginning of the third lunar month.
4. How to get to Cu Lao Cham island?
4.1 Moving to Hoi An
- Plane: This is the fastest means of getting to Hoi An. From Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, you can buy a ticket to Da Nang and then continue your journey to Hoi An by bus or taxi. Travel time only takes about 1 hour.
Besides planes, there are quite a variety of means of transport to Hoi An. You can choose the following transportation methods:
- Train: Hoi An travel itinerary by train departs from Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi and stops at Da Nang or Tra Kieu station (Quang Nam). Travel time takes about 15 – 20 hours.
- Passenger bus: you can go to Hoi An by bus routes running from Ho Chi Minh City – Hoi An, Hanoi – Hoi An.
- Personal vehicles (cars, motorbikes): cars and motorbikes are interesting choices if you are a person who loves to travel and explore. Or for somebody who live in provinces neighboring Hoi An such as Da Nang, Quang Ngai, …
4.2 Moving to Cu Lao Cham island
Once you arrive in Hoi An, you need to move from the mainland to the island. Depending on the means of transport you choose, ticket prices will vary. Specifically:
- Canoe: ticket price is about 200,000 VND/person. Canoeing is suitable for people who like the feeling of strong surfing, travel time is only about 20 minutes;
- Wooden boat: ticket price is about 200,000 VND/person. If you bring a motorbike to the island, you must pay an additional fee of 50,000 VND/motorbike. Wooden boats are not suitable for people prone to seasickness and have slower travel times than canoes.
5. Sightseeings in Cu Lao Cham island
Cu Lao Cham Island is famous for its pristine natural landscape with green mountains and forests. And long white sand beaches, clear water and rich flora and fauna. Let’s explore what outstanding attractions this place known as the “Pearl of Quang” has:
5.1 Eo Gio of Cu Lao Cham
Eo Gio is located in the east of Cu Lao Cham island cluster, about 3 km from Bai Lang residential area. This is a destination that visitors can hardly miss if they want to find a place to catch the sunrise or watch the sunset. Eo Gio is surrounded by blue mountains and vast, endless sea and sky. This place is like a wall, protecting fishermen firmly on the sea.
5.2 An ancient well of more than 200 years old of the Cham people
The 200-year-old well has the characteristics of an ancient Cham well, located in the residential area of Cam hamlet. With sea on all four sides, this is the only source of freshwater on the island that is not contaminated with salinity or alum. Local people say by word of mouth that drinking well water can cure seasickness or pray for love and have children as desired. Therefore, this place has become an attractive tourist destination when tourists come to this beautiful island.
5.3 Hai Tang Pagoda
Hai Tang Pagoda is located at the foot of the mountain west of Hon Lao, overlooking a vast field. Despite the harsh nature, the pagoda still exists intact for hundreds of years. This sacred ancient temple has become a symbol of the island, entering the subconscious of the people here. Coming here, you will learn more about history, worship Buddha, visit temples, pray for peace and keep your mind pure.
5.4 Some clear blue beaches
Tourists will definitely not be able to “hold back” the beautiful beaches in Cu Lao Cham:
- Ong Beach: has 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 in Cu Lao Cham waters.
- Chong Beach: 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 you to explore the life of fishermen and enjoy fresh seafood.
5.5 Sycamore Tree Road
Sycamore here bloom best in late summer – early autumn (around July – August). During the flower blooming season, walking along Bai Lang, Bai Xep, and Huong beach streets, you 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.
5.6 Tan Hiep Market
Coming to Cu Lao Cham, you should not miss Tan Hiep market located right at the pier. Coming here, you can choose to buy dried seafood, delicious fresh seafood and unique souvenirs from seashells, snails, rocks, etc. Seafood at the market is cheaper than the mainland because they are harvested. Local fishermen catch and sell on the spot.
5.7 Temple of the ancestors of the bird’s nest industry
The Temple of the Bird Nest Craft is a large-scale architectural work, ranked as a national monument in 2006. The temple is located on a sand mound next to Cay Cua slot, in Bai Huong. On the 10th day of the third lunar month every year, a ceremony to worship the ancestors of the bird’s nest exploitation profession is solemnly held at the temple. They pray for the bird’s nest industry to develop more and more. You can visit this place on this occasion to better understand the unique beliefs of the people here.
6. Activities and experiences on Cu Lao Cham island
What is extremely attractive about Cu Lao Cham is that there are many interesting entertainment activities such as:
6.1. Diving to see coral reefs
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 kingdom such as seaweed, coral, sea creatures,… will appear vividly before visitors’ eyes. You will be truly overwhelmed by the beauty of the seabed ecosystem here.
6.2 Walking under the sea to see marine creatures
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.
6.3 Camping in Cu Lao Cham
If you stay overnight in Cu Lao Cham, you can rent a camping tent to sleep on the beach. Around 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., fun activities, exchanges and campfires often take place here. At night, you can lie down and watch the starry sky – a wonderful sight that we will hardly see in the city. Those who have been here and experienced these interesting things will often never forget it.
6.4 Fishing with fishermen on the island
Fishing is also a very interesting activity, loved by many tourists when visiting this island cluster. You will be able to explore the peaceful beauty of this place by boat, and learn about the lives of coastal fishermen. You can also enjoy fresh, clean dishes… caught by themselves.
6.5 Exploring the primeval forest
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,…You can also visit Da stream and stream. Love is gentle and poetic.
6.6 Challenging the parachute adventure
Paragliding will help you experience 10 minutes of floating in the sky and sea at a height of 70m. This subject is for those who are passionate about adventure and freedom, you will enjoy the freedom between the sea and the sky. When playing, you will be fully equipped with safety belts and a canoe to accompany you, so you can rest assured!
7. Specialties on Cu Lao Cham island
After a trip to Cu Lao Cham, one of the things that visitors remember most about this place is definitely the colorful and multi-flavored cuisine:
7.1 Sea snail:
It is a famous specialty snail of the Central Coast region. Sea snails can be prepared in many ways such as boiling, salad, etc. Snail meat is very sweet, crispy, not too soft;
7.2 Squid once sun:
The grilled squid dish, dipped in chili sauce, will surely convince even the most demanding diners.
7.3 Rock crab:
This species of crab eats plants in rock caves and drinks morning dew, so its meat is sweet, soft and fatty. People often prepare stone crabs by boiling, steaming or stir-frying tamarind.
7.4 Wild vegetables:
There are also many types of wild vegetables (greens, coriander, plantain, yard vegetables, etc.) growing wild at the foot of the mountains. The dish of boiled wild vegetables dipped in fish sauce and pickled with chili and garlic. It is one of the “mouth-watering” dishes that every tourist finds difficult to resist.
7.5 Abalone:
Dishes made from abalone such as boiled, steamed, stir-fried,…are all very attractive. Abalone meat is sweet and fatty, with a very special delicious flavor;
7.6 Nhum:
A dish that you should try once when coming here is grilled sea urchin. Sellers often put 2-3 sea urchins into 1 shell, mix them with quail eggs or chicken eggs and then grill them on a charcoal stove. Finally, you just need to add a little greasy onion fat and enjoy this “ginseng” dish of the sea;
7.7 Spider crab:
Cu Lao Cham spider crab dish is firm, delicious and has a rich sweet flavor, so it is very popular with tourists. The main dish is spider crab steamed in beer served with lemon salt and pepper. In addition, you can also enjoy boiled crabs, grilled crabs, cooked porridge, hot pot,…
7.8 Gai leaves It cake:
This is a specialty dish of the people on Cu Lao Cham island. The cake has a sweet taste from the thorny leaves that grow in rocky areas and the cool water from ancient wells. This is the number 1 choice for desserts that you should try;
7.9 Seaweed:
The seaweed in this island cluster is raw seaweed, dark in color, not processed. So it tastes very salty but contains a lot of nutrients that are good for health. Seaweed is processed into many rustic dishes such as soup, salad, etc.
8. Accommodation when traveling to Cu Lao Cham island
To have a more convenient visit to Cu Lao Cham island, you can choose a place to stay at this tourist destination. Here are some hotels near Cu Lao Cham or how to get there from hotels in Tan Hiep (Cu Lao Cham) you can refer to:
8.1 Some hotels near Cu Lao Cham island
- Vinpearl Resort & Spa Hoi An Hotel. Address: Cua Dai, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
- Renaissance Hoi An Resort and Spa. Address: Cua Dai, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
- Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An. Address: Hoi An, Quang Nam.
- Hoiana Residences. Address: Duy Hai commune, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
- KOI Resort and Spa Hoi An. Address: Cua Dai, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
8.2 Homestay on Cu Lao Cham island
- Homestay Sunbay. Address: Bai Lang Market, Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.
- Lau Thu Homestay. Address: Group 2, Bai Huong Village, Tan Hiep Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province.
- Homestay Ngo Khanh. Address: Bai Huong village, Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.
- Homestay Bai Huong. Address: Bai Huong village, Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.
9. Some important notes when traveling to Cu Lao Cham island
To make your trip to Cu Lao Cham more enjoyable, you need to note the following things:
- You should not use nylon items when visiting Cu Lao Cham island.
- When going on an undersea trip, do not arbitrarily break up coral reefs and bring them back.
- Do not arbitrarily go deep sea diving without the supervision of staff or when there is a storm.
- You should prepare all beach items such as hats, sunglasses, flat sandals, sunscreen, insect spray, etc.
- Food at Tan Hiep market will have better prices than at Bai Lang and Bai Ong.
- If you want to participate in deep diving activities, you must have a health check first. This subject is not suitable for people with a history of diseases related to the spine and heart.
- If you get seasick, bring medicine to prevent it because you will have to travel quite a distance at sea.
It is worth visiting Cu Lao Cham island
Cu Lao Cham Island is an ideal tourist destination for those days when you want to temporarily leave the noisy city to come to a peaceful land. This place converges the most wonderful landscapes of nature, architectural treasures and unforgettable cuisine.
Through this article sharing about travel experiences to Cu Lao Cham, we hope that Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator, has helped you get detailed information about this tourist land. We always accompany you on your tours in Hoi An to discover Cu Lao Cham island and commit to bringing you the best experiences.
