Top 5 charming islets (small islands) in Vietnam

Vietnam has many lovely isles (“cu lao” in Vietnamese) which draw a huge attention of tourists because of their captivating and pristine beauty.

1.    Cu Lao Cham (Quang Nam Province)

Cu Lao Cham

Located 15km from Cua Dai beach (Hoi An town, Quang Nam province) and containing 8 small islands, Cu Lao Cham is famous for its stunning natural seascapes. It is called “green island paradise” by international tourists.

Cu Lao Cham Islands’ ancient landscape offers many sand beaches, forested hills and marine life. Beside beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, diving to watch coral reefs, you can explore the wildlife which featured by natural forests and biodiversity.

2.    Cu Lao Cau (Binh Thuan Province)

Cu Lao Cau

Cu Lao Cau or Hon Cau is a small and young island, raising from the middle of the sea, located in Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan, about 9km away from the seashore. From the mainland, it looks like a “kingdom of stone” with thousands cliff blocks of rock with different size and shape. Around the key, water is always blue and clean. When the tide comes down, you can see numerous beautiful shells and corals on the seaside.

Fringing coral reefs can be found everywhere around the key, which is an ideal place for you to diving or snorkeling. You also can join cool activities on beautiful beaches such as swimming, fishing, camping or making BBQ parties.

3.    Cu Lao Thu (Binh Thuan Province)

Cu Lao Thu

It has a more popular name Phu Quy Island. This small island is located about 100km from Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province. It usually takes 5-7 hours to go to the island from mainland by ship.

The island is endowed by nature with a cool climate, many beautiful beaches, such as Trieu Duong Bay, Doi Dua and Nho Ganh Ngang and a diversified flora and coral reefs. You can enjoy a peaceful night under the starry sky and explore nearby caves or eat fragrant corn cobs and fresh fish grilled over a roaring campfire. Coconut orchards provide shade for camping and coconut milk and copra for meals. You can also diving for watching coral reefs and colorful rocks and other beautiful sea creatures.

4.    Cu Lao Re (Quang Ngai province)

Cu Lao Re

It is the biggest island in the island district of Ly Son in Quang Ngai province. The island remains many old volcanic craters and a rock painting formed by lava swept into the sea. It is also a paradise of breathtaking beaches, exotic specialities and historical relics. A unique feature of Cu Lao Re is its water color – turquoise.

You can come to Thoi Loi peak – the highest among 5 mountains in Ly Son – to see the sunrise. From the peak, you can see the imposing view of Cu Lao Re and other islands, highlighted with garlic fields looking like wonderful terraced fields in Sa Pa.

5.    Cu Lao Xanh (Binh Dinh Province)

Cu Lao Xanh

Cu Lao Xanh means Green Island, located in Nhon Chau commune, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province. It is considered as a charming pearl on the sea, featured with an amazing green of sea water. Especially, the residents on Cu Lao Xanh are scattered, mainly elders and kids, so you will have chance to experience the life of a deserted island. You can join fishing with local people to catch seafood and set up a BBQ party on the beach.