Cu Lao Cham Reserve Khu bảo tồn thiên nhiên Cù Lao Chàm
Zoned water around the islands off Hoi An
Zoned reserve off Hoi An: boat across for the day and swim only where the 2026 rules allow. The fee is 70,000 VND per person per visit from 10 June 2026, plus 20,000 VND sanitation on the city table. The boat fare is Check on arrival. The 2020 reserve names seven islands. The 30 June 2026 city page says eight.
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Clear water against the forested shore of the reserve
Photo: yeowatzup · CC BY 2.0
The water you cross is a reserve. The 17 July 2020 decision names seven islands: Hòn Lao, Hòn Cụ, Hòn Khô, Hòn Lá, Hòn Dài, Hòn Mồ, and Hòn Tai, and 23,500 hectares. The environment ministry’s 25 February 2025 notice repeats those seven names and gives the nature reserve 23,530 hectares. The city portal on 30 June 2026 says the cluster is eight islands and about 15 km² of land. Both island counts stay. Both hectare figures stay.
Photo: yeowatzup · CC BY 2.0
Hòn Lao is the largest island and the only one with residents. The reserve is eight islands, about 15 km², 18 km from Hoi An, with 947 aquatic species. The UNESCO designation is dated 29 May 2009, and the visit-fee rule uses 26 May as the anniversary.
Swim and snorkel only in the water the 23 January 2026 letter opens. The reserve board’s 5 February 2026 notice names the service-zone shores Bãi Xếp, Bãi Chồng, Bãi Bìm, and Bãi Hương, plus the water at Hòn Dài, for permitted swimming and snorkeling. Tightly controlled restoration water on the same notice is Rạn Mè – Bãi Ông, part of Hòn Tai, Hòn Dài, Rạn Mành, and Bãi Nần. The strict zone is closed to swimming, snorkeling, and other water recreation.
Getting there and around
The boat pier is bến thủy nội địa Cửa Đại – Cù Lao Chàm, with the Cửa Đại border checkpoint. Passengers board from 08:00, crowded from 08:00 to 10:00, heaviest in summer, holidays, and Tết. Life jackets are checked before a boat is cleared. Ticket sales run 07:00 to 16:00.
The city temple page says Hải Tạng is about 20 km from the Hoi An shore. The biodiversity agency says the commune is 18 km from Hoi An. Both distances stay. The collector is Ban quản lý Khu bảo tồn Thiên nhiên Cù Lao Chàm.
From Hoi An
Boat from bến thủy nội địa Cửa Đại – Cù Lao Chàm. The city page says about 20 km from the Hoi An shore to Hải Tạng. The biodiversity agency says 18 km from Hoi An.
From Da Nang
Da Nang International is VVDN on the civil-aviation AIP, southwest of the city and 3.2 km from the city centre. Go on to the Cửa Đại pier, then take the boat.
Hours and fees
- Hours
Ticket sales 07:00–16:00. Boats take passengers from 08:00, with the crowd from 08:00 to 10:00.
- Closed
No weekly closing day was printed. Check on arrival.
- Admission
Under Resolution 16/2026/NQ-HĐND, 70,000 VND per person per visit from 10 June 2026, plus 20,000 VND sanitation on the city table. The collector is Ban quản lý Khu bảo tồn Thiên nhiên Cù Lao Chàm. Free of the visit fee: Vietnamese citizens with a disability certificate under Decree 28/2012/NĐ-CP; Vietnamese citizens under the cultural-access policy in Article 2 of Decision 170/2003/QĐ-TTg; children under 16 and pupils under the Education Law; Vietnamese citizens 60 and over; poor and near-poor households under the government poverty line; diplomatic guests on a central or Da Nang program; citizens of xã Tân Hiệp. Free days for everyone: four Tết days, from 29 or 30 tháng Chạp through the end of mùng 3 tháng Giêng; 29 March; 26 May; 2 September. The boat fare is Check on arrival. A snorkel price is Check on arrival.
Also in Cham Islands
Bai Lang Thôn Bãi Làng
Landing hamlet on Hòn Lao: walk the shore after the boat and stay for the village after dark.
Bai Huong Thôn Bãi Hương
Fishing hamlet on Hòn Lao: walk the bay and beach for a short stop on a permitted swim shore.
Hai Tang Pagoda Chùa Hải Tạng
Pagoda in Bai Lang: walk up from the landing for a short stop at the gate, the statue, and Đồng Chùa.
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