Vietnam’s Island Paradise You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of

If you’re anything like me, you crave the kind of travel experiences that aren’t in every guidebook. The quiet corners. The not-yet-Instagrammed gems. So when I stumbled upon Cù Lao Chàm—an island off the coast of central Vietnam—I had no idea how lucky I was. Let me take you there… Cù Lao Chàm (pronounced something like “Koo Lao Cham”) is a small cluster of islands about 30 minutes by speedboat from the charming town of Hội An. Most tourists never even hear about it. It’s not on the main backpacker circuit, and there aren’t any 5-star beach resorts or glossy tour packages. Which, if you ask me, is exactly why it’s worth visiting. When I stepped off the boat at the main island, Hòn Lao, the first thing I noticed was the quiet. No cars. No honking. Just ocean breeze, palm trees, and the occasional putter of a motorbike. It felt like I had time-traveled to a slower, simpler Vietnam. Later, I joined a snorkeling trip around the island. The coral reefs were surprisingly healthy (thanks to the island’s UNESCO biosphere status), and the water was so clear I could see schools of neon fish darting through the coral just beneath the surface. It’s not just the beaches or the food (though both are amazing). It’s the feeling that you’re somewhere real. Somewhere that hasn’t been polished for tourists. There are no chain stores. No selfie sticks. No one trying to sell you a tour every five minutes. #localguides #summerbudgettrip #familytrip #deliciousfood