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Lying 18 km offshore from
Hoi An, the Cham Islands (known locally as Cu
Lao Cham) feature beautiful seascapes and
landscapes. This island group has 3,000
inhabitants; most of whom make a living from
fishing. Only 1 + 1/4 hour by a junk and 30
minutes by speedboat from Hoi An Town (Cua Dai
Quay), it is perfect for a day trip with
snorkeling or a dive on some beautiful corals, a
delicious seafood lunch on the island, or a walk
along the "eco-tour" trail. It is much nicer to
spend overnight on the island, then you will
have chances to explore the island and
experience your great time with sunset and
sunrises which is much spectacular or go fishing
at night and have barbecue on the island.
There are many other interesting attractions for
visitors, including fresh seafood, traditional
crafts, swimming and sightseeing. Recently
important archaeological remains were found and
these are now exhibited in a small museum near
the main jetty. The island is rich in aquatic
resources, with 165 hectares of coral and 500
hectares of sea weeds. The waters around Cu Lao
Cham is home to 135 species of coral, four
species of tiger shrimp and 84 species of
mollusk, many of which are listed in Vietnam’s
and the world’s Red Book of endangered species.
Today the Cham islands are also a Marine
Protected Area (MPA) because of their many
important marine habitants, especially beaches
and coral reefs, and rich biodiversity. The MPA
includes eight islands; the largest island Hon
Lao, features magnificent beaches and forests,
the township of Bai Lang, a small harbor, a
traditional fishing village (Bai Lang), temples,
shrines and a pagoda. Cham Islands, offshore
island of Hoi An City has just been recognized
as the World Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.
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