Stay with Cu Lao Cham

Experience the scenery in Cu Lao Cham. Photo: BC

I was born on the island. After living on the mainland for a while, when I chose to return and stay permanently on Cu Lao Cham, I cherish even more what my land has.

2024 marks the 15th anniversary of Cu Lao Cham being recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve. This is also a period of maturity in the journey of “Say no to plastic bags and single-use plastic products” in Cu Lao Cham.

A green – clean – healthy island in the eyes of friends everywhere. We islanders are proud to introduce these things to visitors.

Dawn rises from the east of the island. This is where all the wind of the island is caught. The moment when the green rays of light appear from the horizon until the dawn appears is the most magical moment of the day that the islanders want to introduce to visitors. The people call this Hon Lao. Hon Lao has the shape of a spearhead, where most of the residents' ships anchor.

The small islands are named after their shapes and the vegetation they have. On spring days, along the roads of Bai Xep, Bai Lang, Bai Huong... the red color of the blooming parasol flowers is in full bloom.

I often tell visitors that nature has cleverly bestowed miracles on Cu Lao Cham. On one side is the mountain, on the other side is the sea, the small red parasol flowers lying in the heart of the sea and the mountains peacefully bloom and shine, regardless of rain or shine. The scenery of the parasol flower road is as beautiful as a painting created by the blue sea, clouds, sky and cliffs.

From the parasol tree, we island women have the craft of weaving parasol hammocks. The wonders and uniqueness from the materials to the techniques, the hundred-year-long story behind each hammock thread, are sacred treasures that island women want to keep as... their own.

The parasol hammock is the life of island women, with its origin as an item for the men of the house to rest after each trip at sea.

Every house on the island has a parasol hammock slung between two trees in front of the house. In 2023, parasol hammock weaving will become a national intangible cultural heritage. The title has become a source of pride for the traditional profession that island women preserve.

Diving to see the seabed in Cu Lao Cham.

In mid-April, the island is bustling with the death anniversary of the bird's nest industry - one of the sacred customs practiced by the islanders. It is a way to show gratitude and commemorate the ancestors who contributed to the development and exploitation of bird's nests on the island, as well as a prayer activity for peace at the beginning of the new year, raising awareness of protecting the island's resources.

I returned to Cu Lao Cham after several years of working on the mainland. By chance, my husband was also a native of the island. My father-in-law was knowledgeable about almost everything on the island, he had a firm grasp of almost all the treasure trove of indigenous folk knowledge.

From the profession of making wild tea leaves, the profession of farming and growing rice on the island to the artisan of painting rattan on the island, he is well-versed in everything. That is why, when I return to the island to become a local tour guide, I always want visitors to Cu Lao Cham to experience deep inside the land - where the people live and love the island with all their hearts...

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