Cham Islands

The Cham Islands is a small archipelago of eight islands just off the coast of the much-visited Hoi An – it is therefore easily reachable by boat from nearby Cua Dai Beach. Formerly popular only with backpackers, the backpacking crowd has remained strong, but are joined by life-jacketed domestic and international tourists now come to stay on the island for day trips and longer sojourns – so much so that these tiny parcels of land now seem rather overloaded. First inhabited over 3,000 years ago by the Cham people, these islands saw much trade with neighboring countries through the ages, and there are a few old buildings left dotting the area. Today, the beautiful white sands and sparkling blue waters – as well as delicious seafood, friendly fisherman and ample opportunities for snorkeling – are what keep people coming to this collection of islands.