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I
n the UNESCO-designated river town of Hoi An visitors can
walk or cycle around centuries-old merchant houses and
visit charming silk shops and the bustling seafood market.
Hoi An is an ancient port town on the Thu Bon River, 30km
south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it
was one of Southeast Asia’s major international ports during
the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Hoi An was an important
port of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and
other trading vessels.
Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did a century
and a half ago and it still preserves hundreds of houses built
with precious wood in their original style. There is a Japanese
quarter linked with a Chinese neighbourhood by a covered
bridge, which was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese com-
munity. The bridge reflects the Japanese preference for un-
derstatement. The Chinese community in Hoi An, meanwhile,
is fond of their many temples and assembly halls, which are
worth visiting again and again.
After two days exploring the ancient atmosphere of the
town the boat trip to exotic Cu Lao Cham Island was ideal.
Cham Island, with its cool climate, beautiful, clean beaches
and protected marine habitat has attracted many tourists. Daily
tours can be easily arranged to the island paradise from Hoi An
town. Just 10 nautical miles off Cua Dai Beach, the island has
been recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
The island group is a 300 square-kilometre archipelago
with 3,000 inhabitants, most of whom make a living from
fishing. The island is also called Mother of Cham and has a
518-metre high mountain with three peaks - Ngoc Long, Tien
But and Bat Lao, where the king of Champa lived long ago.
The archipelago comprises eight islands, of which Cham Is-
land is the largest and most populated.
Following some friends, we reached Cham Island by
high-speed boat with Hoi An Travel. Just 20 minutes after
leaving Cua Dai Port we landed on the amazing island and
began our journey through a rice field to the old Hai Tang
Pagoda. The eye-catching pagoda was built in 1758 on the
western hillside of Lao Island. An elderly Buddhist woman
there now offers each tourist a cup of herbal tea, enhancing
the tranquillity of the area.
Island
paradise
A trip to the green and unspoiled island of Cu Lao Cham is the perfect choice
after holidaying in the ancient town of Hoi An, writes
Duc Hanh
THE HERITAGE JOURNEY