LOCATION : Cham Islands Marine Park is a small archipelago of 7
islets situated around one main island 7 kilometers long for 1.5 km
wide, 517 meters high mountain, covered with a dense vegetation of
coastal tropical forest, small creeks and waterfalls in rainy season.
They are situated 15 kilometers from HOI AN 's old trading port. It’s
easy for visitors to enjoy both the old cultural city of Hoi An and the
magnificent marine life of Cham Island, with only over one hour boat
trip between the two destinations.
Marine Protected Area since 2003
(part of a cooperation project between Vietnamese and Danish Government
in order to create 13 Marine Protected Areas in Vietnamese sea).
HISTORY : Cham islands are supposed to be the first place where Cham
people landed, coming to Quang Nam province from Indonesia ( small
monuments , dikes and basin to grow up rice on terraces are hidden in
the forest, 17th century pagodas and small temples in the two villages
) So, being well known since earlier Cham domination ( 4th - 14th
century), the island became one of the main port of Champa kingdom.
Situated 8 miles offshore Hoi An, it was also part of Hoi An
historical international trading: in fact from 15th till the
beginning of 20th century the old city was a meeting point for
international vessels and junks.
American archaeologists in 1997
discovered a 17th century Chinese wreck lying at 65 meters depth on the
east side of Cham Island and several Japanese and Portuguese wrecks are
yet to be discovered. Fifteen miles east are also lying helicopters
and other equipments dumped by US Navy when they evacuated the region
in 1973, lying at 80 meters depth.
THE BEACHES : On its west side Cham Island offers 7 white sandy beaches at the feet of luxurious, wild forest. Five of them are completely untouched and uninhabited including Bai Chong, where basic equipments have been installed for visitors use. Two of them are inhabited by very friendly fishermen families, fixing fishing nets, trading basic daily supplies, or cooking stunning seafood dishes on their wood fires. Visitors can visit these places and have a drink in a few charming traditional cafes.
BAY CHONG BEACH : is probably one of the most beautiful beaches of
Vietnam as it is protected by a 517-meter high hill. The back of Bay
Chong reveals a luxuriant forest peopled by lot of wild animals
including monkeys that come down in april may to eat the newly ripe
durian fruits and wild pineapples. The sand is white and clean and the
waters are calm and crystal clear. Coconut trees and natural water
sources during rainy season give to Bay Chong a deserved status of
paradise beach. The rock formations on both side of the 400 meters sand
bank reveals a very nice coral reef that would make many snorkellers
happy.
A small bamboo restaurant on the beach equipped with clean toilettes and showers, bamboo umbrellas, hammocks , mats.
THE ISLAND : One road connects the two villages of Bay Lang and Bay Huong, although there are almost no motorbikes on the island. Local people use their boats as means of transportation. This road is quiet and offers the best view of the bay. One can rent bicycle at the village or walk the way in a little more than one hour, meeting stunning butterflies, wild monkeys ( macaca mulatta), crossing rare villagers picking up wood for their kitchen or taking care of their cow. Several old Buddhist pagodas can be visited and visitors could chat with their monks who live there meditating and producing traditional medicines based on local leaves and plants. A few old remains of Cham civilization can also be discovered in the mountains.