Cham Island is a prominent ecological highlight on Vietnam’s central tourist map, situated approximately 15 kilometers off the historic coast of Hoi An. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is celebrated for its exceptional marine biodiversity and serves as a premier destination for travelers seeking pristine coral reefs and tranquil island landscapes. Now, HoiAn Day Trip Company will let you know the closest airport to Cham Island and the best ways to get there.
You may also like: Hanoi to Cham Island in Hoi An
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Cham Islands Vietnam
– Location: Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam, Vietnam
– Name of islands: Hon Lao (‘beach sheoak island’), Hon Dai (‘long island’), Hon Mo (‘tomb island’), Hon La (‘leaf island’), Hon Kho Me (‘dry island the mother’ or ‘big dry island’), Hon Kho Con (‘dry island the baby’ or ‘small dry island’), Hon Tai (‘ear island’), Hon Ong (‘uncle island’)
– Other name(s): Hoi An Islands,
– Name’s meaning: ‘islands of Cham people’ (Cham people lived here before 14th century)
– Area: 16,16 km2
– Population: 2,300 people
– Ticket price: 70,000 VND/adult & children above 1,3m, 35,000 VND/children from 1 to 1,3m, free for smaller kids
– Extra fee: ecological fee (20,000 VND/person), boat transfers, tour, food & drink, shopping
– Reason(s) to visit: beautiful beaches, one of the best snorkeling/diving place in Vietnam
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-islands-travel-guide
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Recognition(s): national marine park (2003), Unesco world biosphere reserve (2009)
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available
Cham Islands Vietnam on Map
How to Get to Cham Island from Ho Chi Minh City
Distance
To reach the Cham Islands, visitors need to take boat from Cua Dai Port in Hoi An for 20-30 minutes. So, the distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Cham Island is exactly the distance to Cua Dai Port. It’s around 900 km.
Ho Chi Minh City to Cham Island by Flight
Going to Cham Island from Ho Chi Minh city by flight is the fastest way.
The closest airport to Cham Islands is the Da Nang International Airport (DAD). From Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can find many direct flights in the day to go to Da Nang from major local airlines like Vietnam Airline, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways,… The flight duration is 1 to 1,5 hours.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the distance to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) from city downtown (District 1) (the most popular area to stay for tourists) is roughly 5km. Visitors can get there by private car/taxi, public bus or sharing shuttle bus. The driver is from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the traffic. In SGN airport, there are 2 domestic terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, making sure that you come to the right one. Generally, if take a flight operated by Vietjet (VJ….), it’s needed to reach Terminal 1 (the oldest). If take flight from Vietnam Airllines and others, please go to Terminal 3 (the newest). If have a mistake, the fastest way is taking a taxi and the cheapest way is waiting the connecting bus (free of charge).
In Da Nang International Airport, there is one domestic terminal only (Terminal 1). Here, it’s easy to find a taxi or book a private car to Cua Dai Port.
If combine the flight and the boat, total travel time from Hanoi to Cham Islands is 4 to 5 hours.
Routine: District 1 → SGN airport → DAD airport → Cua Dai port → Cham Island
Hanoi to Cham Island by Train
If like going from Ho Chi Minh city to Da Nang by train, the train ride will be 16.5 to 19.5 hours. Meaning that if take a private car to Cua Dai Port, total travel time is 18 to 21 hours. For that reason, it’s recommended to stop somewhere on the way like Nha Trang city or Quy Nhon city.
To take train to Da Nang from Ho Chi Minh city, visitors need to go to the Saigon Railway Station at 01 Nguyen Thong, Xuan Hoa ward (formerly District 3). It’s located right in city downtown, and even closer from District 1 than SGN Airport.
In Da Nang, the train will arrive in the Da Nang Railway Station. This train station is also in the heart of the city, making it very convenient. Here, finding a taxi or private car to Cua Dai Port is easy.
The last boats go to Cham Island is at 13:30. It means that visitor have to be in Da Nang 12:15 latest (it’s needed to be in Cua Dai Port at least 15 minutes). Other boats depart at 8:00 and 9:00.
Currently, from Ho Chi Minh, there are 2 overnight trains to Da Nang that arrives before 12:15: SE3 and SE19.
+ SE2: leave Ho Chi Minh city at around 7:30 pm, arrive Da Nang at around 12:30 am on next day.
+ SE4: leave Ho Chi Minh city at around 7:45 pm, arrive Da Nang at around 12:45 am on next day.
For that reason, SE3 has more advantages than SE4 because it stops at Da Nang earlier (more time to reach the port for Cham Island).
We still recommend searching another train that comes to Da Nang earlier for a more relaxing plan.
Ho Chi Minh City to Cham Island by Bus
Visitors often choose a sleeper bus to go from Ho Chi Minh city to Da Nang. It leaves Ho Chi Minh city in the evening and then arrive Da Nang after a night (early morning) at the Da Nang Central Bus Station. This station is further than the airport and the train station. If take a private car/taxi, it takes 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. So it’s possible to catch the first boat to Cham Island 8:00 am. If want a slower traveling pace, choose 9:00 am boat.
After reaching the Cham Island, for sure it’s needed to go to the homestay first for dropping the luggage. You can hire a motorbike there first and then visit a beach, have lunch before check in at 2 pm. In the afternoon, take a rest at homestay and when it’s cooler (after 3 pm), see another beach.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours to Cham Islands with boat, snorkeling and beach.
Details of the tour from Da Nang: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-da-nang/
Details of the tour from Hoi An: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-hoi-an/
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com.
Things to Do in Cham Islands Vietnam
– Beaches: Bai Ong Beach, Bai Chong Beach, Bai Xep Beach, Bai Lang Beach, Bai Bac Beach, Bai Bim Beach.
– Islands: Hon Lao Island, Hon Dai Island, Hon Mo Island, Hon Tai Island, Hon La Island, Hon Kho Me Island, Hon Kho Con Island, Hon Nhon Island, Hon Ong Island.
– View points: Eo Gio
– Others:
+ Bai Lang (fishing village): Hai Tang Pagoda, Tan Hiep Market, Xom Cam Well, Tinh Xa Ngoc Tuyen (Buddhist temple), Au Thuyen (typhoon shelter),…
+ Bai Huong (fishing village): Mieu To Nghe Yen (Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers), Tinh Xa Ngoc Huong (Buddhist temple),…
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours to Cham Islands with boat, snorkeling and beach.
Details of the tour from Da Nang: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-da-nang/
Details of the tour from Hoi An: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-hoi-an/
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com.
Cham Island Self-Guided Itinerary for First Timers
Here are recommended itineraries in Cham Islands for first time visitor:
– Cham Island 1-day itinerary: Cua Dai Port (8:00) – Bai Lang Village (8:30) – Bai Xep Beach or Bai Ong Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Hon Dai Island (snorkeling) – Bai Lang Village (13:00) – Cua Dai Port (13:30). Visit An Bang Beach if need one more beach for the day. See details in https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-without-tour/
– Cham Island itinerary for 2 days 1 night:
+ Day 1: Cua Dai Port (8:00/9:00) – Bai Lang Village (8:30/9:30) – Bai Xep Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Bai Chong Beach and Bai Huong Village if have time. Dinner in Bai Lang.
+ Day 2: Eo Gio (watching sunrise) – Tan Hiep Market – Bai Ong Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Hon Dai Island (snorkeling) – Bai Lang Village (13:00) – Cua Dai Port (13:30). Visit An Bang Beach if need one more beach for the day.
– Cham Island itinerary for 3 days 2 nights:
+ Day 1: Cua Dai Port (8:00/9:00) – Bai Lang Village (8:30/9:30) – Bai Xep Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Bai Lang. Dinner in Bai Lang.
+ Day 2: Eo Gio (watching sunrise if like) – Tan Hiep Market – Bai Ong Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Hon Dai Island (snorkeling if like) – Lunch at Bai Ong or Bai Lang – Bai Chong Beach and Bai Huong Village – Hon Tai Island (snorkeling/diving if like) – Bai Lang. Dinner in Bai Lang.
+ Day 3: Go around Cham Island by motorbike – Bai Bac Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Bai Lang Village (lunch, check out, take boat back at 13:00) – Cua Dai Port (13:30). Visit An Bang Beach if need one more beach for the day.
See full itineray for 2 days and 3 days in this blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-itinerary/
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours to Cham Islands with boat, snorkeling and beach.
Details of the tour from Da Nang: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-da-nang/
Details of the tour from Hoi An: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-hoi-an/
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com.
Guided Tours to Cham Islands Vietnam
Here are the best tours to Cham Islands in Hoi An:
– Cham Island Day Tour from Da Nang with Snorkeling
– Cham Island Day Tour from Hoi An with Snorkeling
– Cham Island Diving Tour by Wooden Boat
– Cham Island Tour from Da Nang Port (Tien Sa Port)
– Cham Island Tour with Hoi An Coconut Village
– Cham Island Tour with Hoi An Ancient Town
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Cham Islands. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com, browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
