Cu Lao Cham, also called the Cham Islands, is a group of 8 small islands in Tan Hiep commune, Da Nang City. The reserve's management board names them: Hon Lao, Hon Dai, Hon Mo, Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon Ong, Hon Tai and Hon La. Hon Lao is the main one. Vietnam Tourism, the national tourism site, puts the islands 15 km off the Hoi An coast. The board's own guide says about 18 km from the Old Town.
UNESCO named Cu Lao Cham and Hoi An a world biosphere reserve on 26 May 2009, and the islands are its core zone. The board's report counts more than 311 hectares of coral reef, with about 300 coral species and more than 270 species of fish.
What to see
The board's guide places these stops in Bai Ong village, and its getting-around guide says you can walk between them:
- The reserve's communication center, which explains the island's sea and forest ecosystems. It is about 50 m from the Champa well.
- The old Champa well, built in the Cham style. The board says it may have supplied fresh water to trading ships more than six centuries ago. Vietnam Tourism calls it 200 years old.
- Hai Tang Pagoda, built in 1758 and moved to its current site in 1848. It became a national relic in 2006.
- The boat harbor between Bai Lang and Bai Ong, built in the 1990s as a storm shelter for fishing boats.
At Bai Huong, a temple to the founders of the bird's-nest trade was rebuilt in 1848 and also became a national relic in 2006. Vietnam Tourism says the island community of about 3,000 people banned plastic bags in 2009 and that visitors are checked at the pier.
Fees and boats
Da Nang's council set the visitor fee in Resolution 16/2026: VND 70,000 per person per visit, collected by the reserve's management board. As reported by Nhan Dan, these visitors pay nothing:
- children under 16 and students
- Vietnamese citizens aged 60 and over
- residents of Tan Hiep commune, and a few other groups set out in the resolution
Everyone goes free on four days of Lunar New Year, on 29 March, on 26 May (the biosphere anniversary) and on 2 September.
Boats leave from Cua Dai port in Hoi An Dong ward. The board's guide gives these reference prices, which already include the VND 70,000 fee and a VND 20,000 cleaning fee:
| Boat | Time at sea | Schedule | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | About 20 to 25 minutes | Out 8:00 to 10:00, back 13:30 to 14:00 | From VND 350,000 to 400,000 |
| Wooden boat | About 50 to 60 minutes | Out 8:00, back 12:00 | From VND 300,000 |
Vietnam Tourism gives the speedboat about 25 minutes but the wooden boat about 90 minutes. The board says package tours with transfers and meals run about VND 460,000 to 600,000 per person.
On the island, the board's FAQ says there are no taxis, electric carts, ATMs or banks, so bring cash. Motorbikes rent for about VND 150,000 to 200,000 a day, and a motorbike taxi tour of the island starts at about VND 150,000 per person. The roads are narrow with sharp bends.
When to go
Vietnam Tourism says the islands are virtually inaccessible from October to February because of rough seas, and that March to September brings calm water. It puts the best underwater visibility in June to August. On 7 October 2026, Bao Da Nang reported heavy rain on the island, with 7 spots of fast-running water around Bai Lang and Bai Huong and roads closed off.
Getting there
Cua Dai port is about 16.5 km in a straight line from the islands' map point, and the Ancient Town about 22 km. The board's guide names Dana Bus route LK02, which runs from the Vietnam–Korea University in Da Nang to the Cua Dai port area, as well as taxis and motorbikes.
Our take
We'd plan Cu Lao Cham for March to September and treat any October to February booking as weather-dependent. Take the speedboat: 20 to 25 minutes each way and a 13:30 return give you more island time than the wooden boat, which heads back at noon. Bring cash; there's no ATM.
Nearby
- Hoi An Ancient Town: about 22 km in a straight line.
- VinWonders Nam Hoi An: about 22 km in a straight line.
- Hoi An Memories Show: about 21 km in a straight line.
