Cham Islands - Wikitravel

Cham Islands

Contents

• 1 Understand
  • 1.1 History
  • 1.2 Landscape
  • 1.3 Flora and fauna
  • 1.4 Marine Ecology
  • 1.5 Weather
  • 1.6 Best snorkeling & diving season
• 2 Get in
• 3 Fees/Permits
• 4 Get around
• 5 See
• 6 Do
• 7 Buy
• 8 Eat
• 9 Drink
• 10 Homestays
• 11 Sleep
  • 11.1 Backcountry
• 12 Stay safe
• 13 Get out

Cham Islands Cu Lao Cham is in Hoi An Quang Nam Province of Vietnam.

Understand[edit]

Cham Islands seen from Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An Traditional ghe nang owned by Karma Waters

In May 2009 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An was created which includes Hoi An Ancient Town, most of metro Hoi An, the river inlet, the ocean between Hoi An and Cham Islands as well as the islands.

However, since this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was created domestic mass tourism has lead to increased destruction of the islands, the communities and the environment.

Located approximately 9 nautical miles offshore and to the East of Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Central Vietnam. Northern Latitude 15 deg. 52’ 30” to 16 deg. 52’ 30” N; East Longitude 108 deg. 24' 00" to 108 deg. 33' 30" E. This covers an area of 235 square kilometers (km) which include eight islands and surrounding waters. There are a total of eight islands in the "Cham Islands" called Hon Lao (largest and only island inhabited covering an area of 1,317 hectares with a hilltop elevation of 517m), Hon Cu, Hon Kho, Hon La, Hon Dai, Hon Lo and Hon Tai.

Cham islands have had their own commune and management since 1978, and were recognized as one of separated communes of Hoi An town. This admistrative island area named as the Tan Hiep Commune. Bai Lang is the capital village inhabited by about 2,400 people. Bai Huong is named for the second village of 400 people living. The commune is divided into four hamlets, three of which including Bai Lang, Cam, Bai Ong locate in Bai Lang village and the other one Bai Huong hamlet is in Bai Huong village.

History[edit]

Humans have inhabited Cu Lao Cham for at least 2,500 years (whereas Hoi An only 2,000 years). These were holy islands to the Cham people.

The Cham are a Malayo-Polynesian people who originally settled in Sa Huynh, Central Vietnam, around 200 B.C. The Champa Kingdom was created in Hue region around 200 A.D. and lasted until 1835.

The commercial capital of the Champa Kingdom was Hoi An from which during 7th - 10th Centuries the Champas controlled the spice trade between Spice Islands in Indonesia and China, India and Persian Gulf states. The Champas, who owned vessels very similar to those seen in Hoi An waters today, ruled the Spice Trade routes long before the Chinese junks or Portuguese vessels entered these waters.

Hoi An was a major trading port - on par with Macau and Malaka - during 16th to 18th Centuries. Early influences were Chinese and Indian and by the 10th Century some Champa had converted to Islam through Arab maritime influences.

Cham Islands due to it's leeward anchorage in the capital village of Bai Lang (from NE monsoon) makes this Bay ideal for shelter of larger vessels. Depth is approximately 15 m in the channel between Hoi An and the Cham Islands and in Bai Lang Bay averages 10 metres. Larger cargo vessels unable to enter the Hoi An river inlet would anchor off Bai Lang and smaller vessels would then carry cargo ashore to warehouses in Hoi An.

Chinese, Japanese and other Northern merchants would sail their vessels down from the North on a "broad reach" during Autumn & Winter (riding on storm blowing NE monsoon) and wait for the Trade Winds to turn during Spring and Summer into a more gentle Southerly breeze which would again send them on a "broach reach" back up North (and sometimes into seasonal Typhoons!). While they waited for winds to change some foreign merchants lived and did business in Hoi An.

It is recorded on a 700 A.D. Chinese chart that vessels sailing the "Nanhai Trade Route" used a fresh water source at Bai Lang. Nanhai means "south sea"; these ships were based in ports on the Pearl River, in Guangdong, China.

Landscape[edit]

Rock formation, North facing Fauna & Bai Huong village Bai Huong beach

The Cham islands topography is mostly mountainous, without rivers, except for the biggest island of Hon Lao, where there are some rocky fresh water streams with natural forests. The highest point is at 517 m on the top of Hon Lao, other islands tops are lower with elevations fluctuated from 70 to 200 m.

The Cham islands geology is dominated by Pre-Cambi Macma rocks, which are almost acid and weathering. The islands largely consist of instrusive rocks. There are two distinct types of rock substance, with a clear division of these two occurring in the channel between Hon Lao and Hon Dai. Hon Lao, Hon Ong, and Hon Tai are constituted of granite and micaceous granite. These rocks are Palaeozoic – Mesozoic in age. The other islands of Hon Dai, Hon Mo, Hon La, Hon Kho, and Hon Cu are mainly granite, granodroite, and granosyenite in composition.

Flora and fauna[edit]

Hon Lao island and many of the other islands of the archipelago are extensively forested. According to the Forestry Protection Department of Quang Nam forests covered all islands are natural and extremely protected forests. Forests in Cu lao Cham play a very important role of water resources protection for the whole islands. Moreover, on the Eastern site of Hon Lao and some other rocky islands such as Hon Co, Hon Ong nest birds (for making "Bird's Nest Soup") are harvested & traded.

A wonderful natural product from Cu Lao Cham is the six leaf tea which is grown and harvested. This tea is excellent to de-tox blood.

Marine Ecology[edit]

According to the report on marine resources survey conducted by Department of Fisheries, Department of Science, Technology, and Environment of Quang Nam Province and Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, there are 135 species in 35 genera of corals found around Cu Lao Cham, six species in the sea of Vietnam were first recognized here. There are 202 species in 85 genera and 36 families of fish; and 4 species of lobsters and 84 species of mollusks identified.

Vietnamese Government together with Danish Government DANIDA funded the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park Administration which created Vietnam's second marine park. The expected zone for Cu Lao Cham marine protected area (MPA) included eight islands and 5,175 ha of water surface with 165 ha of coral reef, 500 ha of seaweed and sea grass beds, which provide habitat for various valuable fish species.

The water environment around the Cham Islands is an important fishery ground. Several marine products of high economic value, such as lobsters, groupers, snappers, craps, shrimps, and clams, occur in the area. The islands' coral reefs are an important area for shelter, nursery, and food providing for marine resources.

Weather[edit]

February 2012 at least 7 people drowned in a serious boat accident at the river inlet. Tourism to CLC is ONLY possible with safe reliable transport provided by boats - and this is NOT being provided ! pier facilities are very poor at Bien Phong river inlet and the two villagers on Cham Islands.

The weather is seasonally rough - even during the "calm" season there are days of serious squalls when speedboats are unable to safely operate. The islands are 10 nautical miles offshore and by far the most hazardous part of the journey is at the river mouth which has an average depth of only 0.9 meters Spring Datum.

The climate is influenced by tropical monsoon and marine. If compared to the mainland, Cham islands climate is cooler. The different average temperature between the hottest and the coldest month is 6.7 deg. C. Cham islands are more humid than in the mainland. The average humidity is 85.7% and the lowest humidity is 81%. The average wind speed is higher than that in the mainland at 3.6 – 4 m/s. Typhoons and heavy storms mostly appear in the islands during September and October.

The coastal areas of Quang Nam in general and Cham Islands in specific have characteristics of semi-diurnal cycle, which means twice at high tide and twice at low tide in most of the days of a month. There are two periods of flood-tide and two of return-flow every month in correlation with the two periods of maximum and minimum amplitude - this is when flooding happens in Hoi An (or when a hydro-electric dam opens its gates and creates a flash flood!).

Dangerous floods can occur throughout Hoi An area from September - December during periods of heavy rains, strong onshore NE winds (prevailing conditions during September - December) and during 1-2 days around Lunar calendar days 1st and 14th of each month. Basically the river has no where to go as the ocean is forcing it's way inland (and average water levels are also rising each year!)

Illegal sand mining offshore has resulted in a serious loss of beaches - since 2005 approximately 30 meters have been eroded in Cua Dai Beach and in 2012 there is no future for resorts and hotels along the beach - all it takes is one good typhoon and the isthmus which extends from the inlet towards Danang will easily be breached. In 2011 the "calm" weather season had been reduced to mid-June thru mid-August - compared to at least 6 months less than 5 years ago.

Best snorkeling & diving season[edit]

The best season for snorkelling is during the calm summer months of June through the end of August when ocean sediment is settled and sun light is strongest.

There are increased numbers of jelly fish so it is suggested to wear a T-shirt in the water for protection.

Normally Spring April - June is also reasonable snorkelling if we can get to the islands as the weather can be rough sometimes.

Autumn & Winter (starting 1 September thru April) is normally rough weather with monsoon storms lashing the coast. Rarely tourists can go to the islands or go snorkelling.

Global warming is making even more extreme weather conditions and the season of good weather in Central Vietnam is being significantly reduced!

Get in[edit]

Because of the extreme shallow water conditions at the river inlet to the ocean, which has an average depth of only 900 mm, breaking swells from September thru until December (during NE monsoon season) makes Cham Islands almost inaccessible; during January - May only sometimes accessible; June - August almost always accessible. Weather conditions also change during the day - mornings are calmer, with stronger winds and waves after about 1PM.

Summer time squalls are frequent in late afternoons (look towards Laos and see if dark clouds are forming); beware of being caught in an unsafe boat in a dangerous squall! WORD OF WARNING!! In Vietnam few boats operate to international standards or are designed for rough waters!

Most days at about 7.30AM when weather permits (normally NOT during September - December) a light blue coloured 20 metre long wooden, top heavy & flat bottom ferry leaves Hoi An public pier with all manner of cargo aboard bound for Cham Islands. As a foreign tourist pay an inflated price (compared to local prices of 20,000 VND) of at least 100,000 VND one way and expect to be instructed to wear a life jacket.

If you are on the old ferry stop at Bien Phong (Border Patrol) at entrance to river inlet to ocean to sometimes show your Passport & valid visa to travel to Cham islands. (For some reason this does not happen with speedboats !).

The old ferry goes to largest village "Bai Lang" on largest island "Hon Lao" and returns to Hoi An departing by about 3.00 PM. Journey takes about 2 hours.

There are daily tours to Cham island operated by some travel companies departure from Cua Dai beach dock at Bien Phong ( Border Patrol ), which takes 30 minutes by speed boat and 1 hour+1/4 by wooden boat. Generally they only operate may - August because their river designed speedboats can not operate in rough weather conditions.

Fees/Permits[edit]

Generally for day trippers travelling with a dive operator a snorkelling permit is issued by the Cu Lao Cham MPA (based on payment of fee of 30,000 VND?) for each tourist coming to Cham islands. This is probably the easiest way for a Tourist to travel.

Cham Island Marine Park Administration has made it easier now for tourists to travel to Cham Islands. This has been a military island for many years.

Get around[edit]

Most tourists travel on a boat with a dive operator or ferry company. Travel between two villages and beachs in between is best by bus 11 (i.e. walking on 2 legs!).

See[edit]

The sea is the biggest attraction!

• Cham Islands Marine Park Administration (MPA) has a number of protected areas were only snorkelling is allowed. Snorkelling permits are required for snorkelling in these areas (income goes to MPA to support marine protection).

• Forest is beautiful with wildlife including a large wild monkey population. Natural forest covers about 25% of the island.

• Officially hiking is only allowed on the road between the two villages.

• Cham Islands produces some of the worlds best "bird's nest soup"

• Cham Island's beauty places (Paying your visit to the most attractive places on the Cham Island), [x]. On Chan Island, there're many beautiful places for you to play your visit such as Hai Tuong Pagoda, the local market, the beautiful beaches and many things else.. 0$ - 20$.

Do[edit]

• Karma Waters, 213 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Hoi An (center, opposite An Phu Hotel), ☎ 0510.3927632, [x]. Homestay inside private village homes at Bai Huong village daily rates US$120/ night/ person shared room all included vegetarian meals, return boat. Cham Island Day tour US$90/ passenger 8AM departure snorkelling, swimming, vegetarian lunch. Also Traditional Vietnamese sailing 10.5 metre ghe nang for cruises & sail training all year around Cham Islands.

• Cham Island Diving Center (Scuba diving and snorkeling), 88 Nguyen Thai Hoc str, Hoi An (in the old city), ☎ +84(0)5103910782, [x]. 7:45AM-9:30PM. PADI Dive Centre offering all range of services on the island from Hoi An: Padi Courses, scuba diving and snorkeling, simple excursions and private cruise by wooden boat and speed boat, camping under the stars and homestay in authentic fisherman village. US$28-75.

• Cham Island Tour (2 Day 1 Night Cham Island Tour), [x]. There're many interesting things on Cham Insland for you to discover such as local people's daily life, beautiful beaches and seafoods. You only need 2 days to know them all.
• SeaTrek - Snorkeling Tour (SeaTrek VietNam), 160A Nguyen Duy Hieu Street, ☎ +84902333010, [x]. 8. You will have all experience: - A trip for relaxing with swimming, snorkeling and “Walking underwater”. - During “Walking underwater” adventure, fish of all shape and colours, local marine life will surround you. - You will have a delicious lunch and relax at the Unique ecological Bai Chong beach of a Word Biosphere Reserved Cham islands recognized by UNESCO. - Experience the adventure on VietNamese wooden boat with free coffee. 40-60.

Buy[edit]

Eat[edit]

Largest village Bai Lang has a few restaurants.

Smaller village Bai Huong only has one or two small coffe shops.

Drink[edit]

Homestays[edit]

• Karma Waters, 213 Nguyen Duy Hieu (center, opposite An Phu Hotel), [x]. Offers day trips and inhouse authentic Homestays in cooperation with Bai Huong Village Cooperative in the fishing village of Bai Huong (population 500) on largest island of Hon Lao. Karma Waters and parent company Tara starting in 2009 created the Bai Huong Homestay program.

Sleep[edit]

• cham island diving Center (diving, snorkeling, excursions and overnight stay), 88 Nguyen Thai Hoc str., Hoi An (in the old city), ☎ +84(0)5103910782, [x]. checkin: January; checkout: October. Take the chance to spend part of your holidays on a tropical island. Enjoy evening bonfire and seafood front on the sea, choose between camping under the stars on the beach ( we provide all equipments)or sleep in the village in a fisherman house usd 28/80. (15.57,108.30)

• Homestay Bai Huong, 45 Le Loi, Hoi An ((old town)), ☎ 01202378530, [x]. Homestay Bai Huong offers sustainable tours to the fisher village in Bai Huong. They offer 2 days tour, with snorkeling trip, trekking and cultural exchange with the homestay families and the local people. It is a simple and wonderful place to relax and see real Vietnam. For further information call (+84)01202378530 or check the website VND 1.500.000.

Backcountry[edit]

Stay safe[edit]

Because of the extreme shallow water conditions at the river inlet to the ocean, which has an average depth of only 900 mm, breaking swells from September thru until December (during NE monsoon season) makes Cham Islands almost inaccessible; during January - April only sometimes accessbible; May - August almost always accessible.

Weather conditions also change during the day - mornings are calmer, with stronger winds and waves after about 1PM.

Summer time squalls (especially later in the Summer during August) are frequent in late afternoons (look towards Laos and see if dark clouds are forming). Beware of being caught in an unsafe boat in a dangerous squall!

Warning: In Vietnam few boats operate to international standards or are designed for rough waters! locally made boats of any size are mostly flat bottomed and not seaworthy.

Get out[edit]

• Try also My Son for more adventure when in Hoi An

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