National park · Vietnam
Cham IslandsVườn quốc gia Cù Lao Chàm
Visit Cham Islands for a day: take a morning ferry from Hoi An public pier (≈100,000 VND one‑way) to Bai Lang, hike the road between the two villages and snorkel the protected reef; avoid the trip Sep‑Dec when squalls are common, and check boat operations before booking outside June‑August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
235 km² (91 sq mi)91 sq mi (235 km²)
approximate
Established
2009
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Area
- 235 km² (91 sq mi)91 sq mi (235 km²)
- Area reported as 235 km² for the eight islands and surrounding waters; land area about 1,317 ha on Hon Lão and the rest sea (check).
- Established
- 2009
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Hoi An
Cham Islands form a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with forested hills, a 517 m peak on Hon Lão, and Vietnam's second marine protected area; visitors can hike to the summit, snorkel coral reefs, and stay in village homestays, but should avoid the Sep‑Dec monsoon season and respect permit rules.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2009Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
235 km² (91 sq mi)91 sq mi (235 km²) · national park since 2009
Area reported as 235 km² for the eight islands and surrounding waters; land area about 1,317 ha on Hon Lão and the rest sea (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Hoi An.
Why go
- Forest‑covered islands with a 517 m peak on Hon Lão.
- Snorkelling in Vietnam’s second marine protected area.
- Local homestays in fishing villages.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCool, calm seas; ferry runs.
- FebCool, low rain.
- MarIncreasing warmth, still calm.
- AprWarm, early snorkeling.
- MayWarm, occasional squalls.
- JunPeak snorkeling, clear water.
- JulClear, calm seas.
- AugBest visibility, low rain.
- SepSqualls start, ferry less reliable.
- OctTyphoon risk, rough seas.
- NovFrequent storms, ferries often cancelled.
- DecMonsoon, unsafe boat travel.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine fish, coral, sea turtlesJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wild monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bai Lang village (Hon Lão) | Main settlement, homestays, market, trail start. | Open to visitors; ferry drop‑off. |
| Bai Huong village | Smaller village, homestays, quiet beach. | Open; reachable on foot from Bai Lang. |
| Marine Protected Area | Coral reefs, snorkeling zones. | Permit required; guided tours recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of the islands.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry (wooden boat, one‑way) | ₫100,000 (≈ US$4) | person | Official price; private speedboats cost more. |
| Snorkelling permit (MPA) | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Snorkelling permit permit or guide
Overnight stay no permit
Park rules
- Overnight stay restriction
- Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau passport holders may not stay overnight on the islands.
- Snorkelling permits
- Required in protected zones; purchase arrangements check.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Bai Huong homestay
Simple rooms, meals included, boat transfer.
Near the park
Hoi An hotels
Wide range of options, 30 min drive to ferry pier.
Safety
Squalls and rough seas high
Boat overload medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Ferry access is by boat; no wheelchair facilities.
- Trail to peak involves steep steps; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy snorkelling permits; revenue supports MPA.
- Stay in local homestays to benefit villages.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cham Islands?
A wooden ferry costs about 100,000 VND per person one‑way; a snorkelling permit is 50,000 VND. No general park entry fee is listed.
What are the best hikes in Cham Islands?
The road to Hon Lão summit (2–3 h, moderate) and the coastal walk between Bai Lang and Bai Huong villages.
When is the best time to visit Cham Islands?
June to August offers calm seas and clear water for snorkeling; avoid September to December due to squalls and ferry cancellations.
Can I stay overnight on the islands?
Yes, in homestays on Bai Huong, but Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau passport holders are not permitted.
Do I need a permit for snorkeling?
Yes, a snorkelling permit from the Marine Protected Area is required.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cham Islands
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