Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve – Source: https://dulichkhampha24.com/

Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area is located at coordinates: 15 ^o 52’30” to 16 ^o 00’00”N and 108 ^o 24’30” to 108 ^o 34’30”E, is an island commune with the administrative name of Tan Hiep commune, 18 km from Hoi An city towards the East Sea. The commune includes 8 islands with a total area of ​​15 km2. The largest island is Hon Lao. This is also the only island with residents.

In October 2003, Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve was established to preserve wildlife on the island, one of 15 Marine Protected Areas of Vietnam as of 2007.

On May 29, 2009, with its rich flora and fauna and historical relics hundreds of years ago, Cu Lao Cham was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve at the 21st session of the International Coordinating Committee of the Man and the Biosphere Programme held on Jeju Island (Korea).

Cu Lao Cham consists of 8 islands. The island and the surrounding seas have high biodiversity with 947 species of aquatic organisms. In the high mountains of the island, there are tropical rainforest ecosystems, many species of organisms listed in the Red Book. The islanders live mainly on fishing, collecting medicinal plants, tourism services… especially the exploitation of bird’s nests. This is a type of food with high nutritional value and is also a medicinal herb that can cure many serious diseases. It can be said: “Protecting nature well will bring good living conditions for swiftlets and the livelihoods of local people will also be sustainable”.

Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environment