**Cham Island** is located approximately 15 kilometers off the coast of Hoi An. The island boasts a fascinating history and pristine beaches. Visitors can observe the local fishermen's way of life. While independent travel to Cham Island is possible via a daily passenger ferry (departing at 8:00 AM and returning at 11:00 AM), the most convenient option is to purchase a day tour. This includes comfortable transportation from your hotel and snorkeling opportunities.

After gathering and verifying the number of tourists, they boarded the boat one by one.

The speedboat carrying tourists to Koh Cham had approximately 20 passengers on board. A guide was present to assist throughout the journey.

Half of the tourists were Westerners, the other half were Chinese. I was the only Thai person. I was actually hoping to meet some other Thai people on the tour. I boarded the boat late, so I ended up at the back, where there were plenty of spacious and comfortable seats. I sat with two or three Western women, and we had a great time together. The boat driver was speeding like crazy.

The weather today is fantastic. It's a pity I didn't stay overnight on the island, but that's okay. I'll explore it first and come back another time.

Homestay Bai Huong: A Day Trip Adventure

The Homestay Bai Huong, which I mentioned earlier and had been in contact with Ms. Vanessa about, is located approximately 5 kilometers from the main pier of Cham Island. Getting there can be a bit tricky. The most convenient way is to book in advance, and the homestay will send a small boat to pick you up at the pier. The return trip is also by small boat.

The homestay is situated in a fishing village, where communication can be a bit challenging. The only way to contact them is via email, and their response time is unpredictable. Initially, I was concerned about the possibility of bad weather, so I decided to cancel my reservation. However, the weather turned out to be beautiful today, so I opted for a day trip instead.

Hello, Cham Island!

Once all the tourists have disembarked, the guide will lead them to a building that houses a collection of photographs and historical information about Cham Island. The island remains largely untouched, boasting beautiful beaches and a simple way of life for its inhabitants. There are no luxury hotels on the island; instead, accommodation is limited to homestays.

It's time to explore the island.

The guide led the group through the community near the pier, where they found rows of shops selling affordable seafood.

This region is renowned for its tea, which is believed to alleviate back pain when consumed as a beverage.

A sheltered area for fishing boats to avoid storms and strong winds, where you can observe the distinctive Vietnamese "thung chai" boats.

The guide led a tour of the island's agricultural practices, walking along the narrow paths between the rice paddies.

The guide led a tour of the island's agricultural practices, walking along the narrow paths between rice paddies.

It is believed that this island of Cham has sacred objects that fishermen must come to worship and ask for blessings to help protect them for safety.

The Ko Cham Shrine, with a statue of the Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin in front, also houses statues of various deities inside for worship.

The next program is snorkeling in the nearby area. We will board the same boat and wait for it to take us to the snorkeling spot.

A five-minute boat ride from Koh Cham pier brings you to the snorkeling spot. Chinese tourists seem particularly excited to go snorkeling. The guide distributes diving masks to all tourists, which look like those used by local fishermen (as shown in the picture). How are they supposed to breathe with those?

While there are regular masks available, like the one this young person is wearing, there are enough of them. As for the first type of mask, the guide jokingly suggested that I try wearing it down.

After the allotted time, the guide called everyone back to the boat, and we set sail back to Koh Cham. This time, the boat docked at the most beautiful beach on the island.

Upon arriving at Koh Cham, it was lunchtime. The tour price included lunch, which consisted of 6-7 dishes.

After lunch, the guide will allow you to swim freely for about 2 hours. The beach is located right in front of the restaurant where you had lunch.

The beaches of Koh Cham are stunning, with pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters that beckon visitors to take a dip. The tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by a refreshing breeze that blows constantly.

After showering and changing clothes, it was time to prepare for the return trip to Hoi An.

Farewell, Koh Cham... Until we meet again, next time I will definitely stay overnight on the island!

The boat returned to the port in Hoi An at around 3 pm. The guide then separated the tourists into different vehicles to send them back to their respective hotels, marking the end of the Cham Island day tour for the day.

Hold on a sec!

Upon returning to my accommodation, I showered, relaxed, and turned on the air conditioning to sleep as usual. When I woke up again, it was early evening. It was time to go out for dinner, so I walked to the banks of the Toubon River as usual.

Restaurants with tables on boats are a great option for a unique dining experience. These boats are commonly found along the Mae Tu Bon River, offering a variety of cuisines. Simply choose a restaurant, inquire about prices, order your food, and enjoy your meal on the water.

A pleasant atmosphere by the river, a cool breeze blowing, and paper lanterns floating by on the river.

Today, I ordered my usual beef noodle soup. I love this dish, it's delicious and only costs 30,000 VND (45 baht).

After a satisfying meal, we strolled along the scenic banks of the Toubon River, heading towards the market. Our destination was the same old beer bar (55+), where the servers recognized us and greeted us with a playful, "Still haven't gone home yet?" We settled into our usual spot, the table at the front of the bar, everything familiar and unchanged. However, unlike previous visits, the bar closed early tonight. We only managed to enjoy 2-3 glasses of beer while taking in the river view before they called it a night. The early closure was likely due to the lack of customers and the generally quiet atmosphere that evening.

Feeling the buzz from the beer, I decided to find a spot to continue sipping. As I sat in the previous bar before it closed, I noticed small tables set up right by the river. Once the bar closed, I headed straight to one of those riverside tables. It was a tiny shack selling all sorts of drinks.

However, this place also offers a pleasant atmosphere. It seems peaceful and quiet. The moonlight bathes everything in its glow. Sitting by the water, sipping a beer, and relaxing... another day is over!

Day 5: An Bang Beach & Cao Dai Beach

09:00 AM: Hoi An also has a beach!

Today's Free Day: Exploring Hoi An's Beaches by Bicycle

Waking up without an alarm, I relished the freedom of a day without a pre-booked tour. Opting for a leisurely bike ride to the beach, I recalled that Hoi An boasts two adjacent beaches: An Bang and Cua Dai. Situated approximately 5 kilometers from the city center, these beaches are easily accessible by bicycle. Renting a bike from my accommodation for $1 USD per day, I fueled up at my favorite Banh Mi shop across the street, indulging in a generously stuffed egg sandwich.

The cycling route is straightforward, with good road conditions. Just be mindful of oncoming traffic and avoid accidentally cycling in the wrong lane. Remember, in Vietnam, cyclists ride on the right side of the road, unlike in our country.

From Lucky House, cycle straight along Hai Ba Trang Street to reach An Bang Beach. From An Bang Beach, turn right and follow the beach to reach Ganh Dai Beach.

After cycling about 3 kilometers outside the city, you will pass through various rice fields. Here, you will find a tourist attraction called Tra Que Vegetable Village, where you can experience Vietnamese-style agriculture. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND (30 baht), which is similar to what you would find in Thailand. While the activities may be more appealing to foreigners, anyone interested can give it a try.

Renting a bicycle to cycle to the beach is a popular activity among tourists. You won't have to worry about being lonely, as there will always be people cycling alongside you.

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12:00 PM AN BANG BEACH

This road leads directly to the beach. As you approach the beach, you will see many people waving their hands. Don't be alarmed; they are simply directing you to park your bike for a fee. If you don't want to walk far, ignore them and cycle as close as possible to the beach. Park your bike at the nearest bike parking shop near the beach. The parking fee is 1 USD per day.

The beach is lined with restaurants and bars offering a variety of food and drinks. Beach chairs are available for rent, and the beach is popular with tourists.

Pleasant weather and beach activities

The beach here stretches for a long distance. Although the sand is not pristine white, it is generally quite beautiful.

As I strolled along the beach, the crowds thinned out and the atmosphere became more serene. I found a secluded spot away from the hustle and bustle, where I set up camp and relaxed on the sand. With a cold beer in hand, I listened to the soothing sound of the waves and felt the refreshing sea breeze. Today, I decided to embrace a laid-back approach, spending the entire day unwinding by the beach.

After spending a considerable amount of time at Haad Un Bang, we decided to change the scenery and head to the next beach, Haad Khai Dai. We cycled along the beach road, taking our time and enjoying the views along the way.

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3:00 PM - CAO DAI BEACH

It didn't take long to reach Khao Dai Beach. The overall atmosphere wasn't much different from An Bang Beach.

At this beach, it seems that there is no one to wave for a car to park. So I parked under a tree by the road. There is no parking fee. (If you want to park for free, there are beachfront restaurants on both beaches. If you use the restaurant's services, you can park your car for free. Then you can walk down to the beach.)

This beach boasts numerous beachfront accommodations catering to tourists. It offers a wide range of water activities. In the cool of the evening, tourists flock to the beach to enjoy the water, creating a lively atmosphere.

Let's take a break and relax for a while. Sit back, enjoy a cold beer, and soak in the atmosphere.

An evening stroll along Khao Daeng Beach before the sun sets.

Day 6: BIKE TOUR

.... Overslept ....

10:00 AM. Let's get started!

I woke up almost at ten in the morning. I accidentally turned off the alarm clock and fell asleep again. I don't remember when, but I missed the FREE Bike Tour that I had booked. The tour was scheduled to depart in the morning and would have taken us on a bike ride around the Old Town and across to Cam Kim Island to see the life of the fishermen at Kim Bong Village. This tour is not available every day, only on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The tour guides are students who are learning to be tour guides and are also practicing their English. They take you on a bike ride around Hoi An and the surrounding area, including the fishing village, mat weaving, boat building, and wood carving.

After showering, I cycled to the starting point of the bike tour, which was not far from my accommodation. To my surprise, everyone had already left! 55+ The tour operator assured me it was okay and that I could easily find a map and cycle on my own. I returned to my accommodation to regroup and have breakfast, as I was no longer in a hurry. I decided to have a leisurely bike ride later. For breakfast, I went back to the same Banh Mi shop, but the owner asked if I was tired of Banh Mi and offered to make me rice instead. Wow, my eyes lit up! In the past 4-5 days, I had hardly eaten any rice, mostly just bread and noodles. So, I opted for fried rice. As this was a special request, the owner went into the back kitchen to prepare my "egg fried rice" dish.

With a full stomach, it was time to hit the road. I asked the accommodation for a map and requested them to mark the important tourist spots on Cam Kim Island. However, it seemed that there were not many tourist attractions on the island, mainly just the general community lifestyle. Nevertheless, it was only a few kilometers away, so it was worth a short bike ride.

The bridge over the Thu Bon River, which connects Hoi An to Cam Kim Island, is a vital transportation link for local residents.

Many tourists are cycling to visit, but this bridge seems a bit steep.

Upon reaching Cam Kim Island, visitors are greeted by a typical village setting, characterized by its natural beauty and tranquility. The island features rice paddies and other agricultural areas, showcasing the local way of life.

On the island, most locals use bicycles to commute to their fields. This could be a bicycle parking lot, conveniently divided into sections.

The General Atmosphere on the Island

The general atmosphere on the island is lively, especially during midday when students can be seen cycling home. It is unclear whether school has ended for the day or if they are simply taking a break to eat lunch at home before returning. Regardless, the groups of students cycling past are friendly and always greet me with a cheerful "xin chào" as they pass.

Upon entering the fishing village, we encountered food processing operations that ingeniously utilized recycled materials.

Wood carving, a craft that generates income for the community.

Embark on a scenic tour of the waterfront area of Kim Bong Village, a fishing community renowned for its shipbuilding prowess. The villagers construct their own fishing vessels, enabling them to engage in sustainable fishing practices.

The harbor is lined with fishing boats, offering a glimpse into the lives of local fishermen.

Besides using the bridge to cross to Cam Kim Island, there are also boats from Hoi An that can transport bicycles or motorcycles to the island. There are ferry services available throughout the day.

6:00 PM. Prepare to return!

After spending six days in Hoi An, it was time to head back. Time seemed to fly by. After returning the bicycles and paying the rental fee, I took a quick shower to freshen up. Initially, I planned to walk to the Hoi An bus station to catch a bus back to Da Nang. However, for convenience and because I was feeling lazy, I decided to try the shuttle service instead (costing 110,000 VND). This service would take me directly to Da Nang airport. I asked the accommodation to book the car for me, and I waited for it in front of the property. While waiting for the car, I grabbed a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. It was packed with children, so I decided to give it a try.

Shuttle Service and pick-up points, which I depart from Hoi An at 19:00.

The car arrived at the accommodation right on time. I said goodbye to the staff at Lucky House, who had taken good care of me and provided me with information throughout my six-day stay. I was the first passenger in the car, and I thought that the car would pick up other passengers from various hotels. However, I was wrong. I was the only passenger in the car. I sat comfortably, enjoying the cool air conditioning and watching the lights along the road. At that moment, I didn't want to leave. It seemed like time had passed quickly, and I still wanted to continue my trip. I sat there, lost in thought, until we arrived at Da Nang Airport. The journey was surprisingly fast, taking less than half an hour.

Upon arriving at Da Nang Airport earlier than expected, I found the check-in counters not yet open. I wandered around the area for a while before noticing Vietnam Airlines staff starting to take their positions at the counters. As I prepared to join the queue, they began greeting and thanking passengers before the service officially commenced.

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Check-in is complete, let's prepare to go home!

My recent trip to Hoi An will undoubtedly remain a cherished memory. It was a journey filled with joy, exploring a place I admire, witnessing its stunning architecture, soaking in its pleasant atmosphere, and learning about the local culture and way of life. This solo adventure provided me with the opportunity to reflect, contemplate, and gain fresh perspectives on life.

Hoi An today.. may be the dream city of many people. Which must be visited at least once. When I had the opportunity to experience it myself.. Some people might like it, or some people might be indifferent. But for me then..

Hoi An is... Hoi An

No matter how much time has passed, I still think of you the same way.

Until next time... I'll be back again!

Chailai Backpacker | Amazing Travel Experiences

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 Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:30 AM