Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands), a World Biosphere Reserve in Quang Nam Province is famous not only for its wild beauty but also for being an area which has drawn the special attention of scientists because it possesses species of corals first found in Vietnam. The successful cultivation and restoration of the coral reefs in this area have opened a new research direction to restore the damaged coral reefs in the waters of Vietnam.
Impression of the green islands
Although situated less than 20 miles from Hoi An Ancient Town, a world heritage site, in the past Cu Lao Cham was fairly wild. In 2009, it was recognized as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO and soon became a famous marine tourism destination in central Vietnam and attracted the scientists’ interest.
In the summer of 2010, as we followed a group of Japanese tourists who participated in a competition to swim across the sea from Cu Lao Cham to Cua Dai, we had an opportunity to learn about the impressive beauty of these pristine islands. At that time, Le Vinh Thuan, Head of the Communications Department of Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area (MPA) said that the city of Hoi An and MPA had devised a plan to build Cu Lao Cham into an ideal marine tourism destination in the renowned tourist triangle of Quang area , My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town. Therefore, the local authorities opened training courses on tourist professional skills, such as cooking, accommodation services, transporting tourists by boat and guiding tourists for snorkeling for nearly 3,000 people living on the islands to earn their living instead of doing the work of marine resource exploitation.
In early 2014, we returned to Cu Lao Cham and met Thuan again. He cheerfully said that Cu Lao Cham had successfully built the green island into a fascinating marine tourism destination with various forms, such as snorkeling to contemplate the coral, swimming, enjoying the local food and discovering the wild beauty of the natural beaches.
Although situated less than 20 miles from Hoi An Ancient Town, a world heritage site, in the past Cu Lao Cham was fairly wild. In 2009, it was recognized as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO and soon became a famous marine tourism destination in central Vietnam and attracted the scientists’ interest.
In the summer of 2010, as we followed a group of Japanese tourists who participated in a competition to swim across the sea from Cu Lao Cham to Cua Dai, we had an opportunity to learn about the impressive beauty of these pristine islands. At that time, Le Vinh Thuan, Head of the Communications Department of Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area (MPA) said that the city of Hoi An and MPA had devised a plan to build Cu Lao Cham into an ideal marine tourism destination in the renowned tourist triangle of Quang area , My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town. Therefore, the local authorities opened training courses on tourist professional skills, such as cooking, accommodation services, transporting tourists by boat and guiding tourists for snorkeling for nearly 3,000 people living on the islands to earn their living instead of doing the work of marine resource exploitation.
In early 2014, we returned to Cu Lao Cham and met Thuan again. He cheerfully said that Cu Lao Cham had successfully built the green island into a fascinating marine tourism destination with various forms, such as snorkeling to contemplate the coral, swimming, enjoying the local food and discovering the wild beauty of the natural beaches.
Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area consists of eight islands in the island commune of Tan Hiep. Photo: Hoang Quang Ha  In summer, Cu Lao Cham has about 3,500 tourists each day. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang  Cu Lao Cham has 200 high-speed boats which take tourists to discover the beauty of islands. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang  With diverse tourism forms, the area attracts a large number of foreign tourists. Photo: Trinh Thong Thien  Foreign tourists discover Cu Lao Cham using coracles. Photo: Hoang Quang Ha  Joan Tubbs, a tourist from the US, learns how to catch fish with the guidance of a fisherman. Photo: Trinh Thong Thien  Cu Lao Cham has many beautiful beaches, such as Chong and Lang. Photo: Hoang Quang Ha  Beautiful coral reefs in Cu Lao Cham fascinate most tourists. Photo: Hoang Quang Ha  A Foreign tourist catches sea urchins, a species which eats coral, to protect the coral reefs in Cu Lao Cham. Photo: Hoang Quang Ha |
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