Hoi An tourism has long been known for its quiet, poetic, and sparkling ancient town at night. However, this place not only captivates visitors with its ancient beauty, which has stood the test of time, but also offers many other attractive tourist destinations. If you’re looking for a peaceful place to enjoy the simple beauty of a pure Vietnamese countryside, then Cam Nam Island in Hoi An is the address that DanangPrivateCar.com’s wants to introduce to you.
Where is Cam Nam Island located?
Locating the coordinates of Cam Nam Island.
Cam Nam Island is situated in Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province. It is a small island located next to Hoi An’s ancient town. Surrounding the island are branches of rivers in the lower reaches of the Thu Bon River and lush green coconut palm rows.
In the past, Cam Nam Island was known as Cam Pho Village. Nowadays, it has become one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Hoi An, though not everyone is aware of it.
Directions to get to Cam Nam Island.
Cam Nam Island is located in the center of Hoi An, just 200 meters away from the ancient town by a bridge. This bridge serves as a main transportation link between Cam Nam Ward and the city center of Hoi An, making transportation convenient. Moreover, it facilitates economic, cultural, and social exchanges among local residents.
From Hoi An’s ancient town, travelers only need to go straight across the Cam Nam Bridge. Crossing this bridge entirely, you will arrive at Cam Nam Island in Hoi An’s Cam Nam Ward.
If you are looking for transportation to Cam Nam Island, contact us at DanangPrivateCar.com’s. We provide private travel car services with professional drivers in Hoi An, serving both domestic and international tourists for many years. We will ensure your trip is safe and cost-effective
The ideal time to travel to Cam Nam Island.
Cam Nam is part of Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, and its climate is usually dry with plenty of sunshine from April to the end of September. This is the best time to travel and visit this small island.
It is advisable to avoid visiting during the rainy season, from October to January, as it can be challenging to participate in outdoor activities and sightseeing. Additionally, the weather during this period often includes storms, less sunlight, which may not be ideal for photography enthusiasts seeking picturesque settings.
What to do on Cam Nam Island?
Formerly known as Cam Pho Village, Cam Nam Island is a place where local residents have made their livelihoods by farming rice, corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, and cultivating flowers, as well as engaging in fishing activities on the river.
When you visit here, you can not only experience the feeling of ecotourism and enjoy the beautiful and idyllic countryside scenery but also explore the unique culture of the local people. So, let’s find out what’s hot about traveling to Cam Nam Island with DanangPrivateCar.com’s!
Leisurely stroll through the countryside of Cam Nam.
Being a place with a strong Central Vietnam countryside essence, Cam Nam offers tourists a picturesque and tranquil rural landscape.
Golden rice fields stretching alongside flying storks, ancient thatched houses hidden behind bamboo groves, and coconut trees casting their shadows on the river will surely make you feel relaxed and peaceful as you admire the view.
In Hoi An, there are many bike rental services available. Visitors can rent a bicycle and leisurely explore every corner of Cam Nam. This will undoubtedly leave you with many unforgettable impressions.
Experience the culture of the Central Vietnam countryside.
On Cam Nam Island, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of authentic farmers. Participate in their daily activities such as planting vegetables, harvesting corn in the fields, or trying your hand at threshing and grinding rice.
It is also a chance for those interested in different cultures to learn about the rural culture of Central Vietnam, manifested through the lifestyle, customs, and traditions of the local people.
Moreover, you can visit the well-preserved ancient houses with their original architecture featuring tiled roofs, earthen walls, and wooden structures. Most of the local houses have spacious gardens with various fruit trees and betel nut trees in the front yard.
Harvest corn in the fields and visit the locals’ corn processing areas.
Hoi An has long been famous for its delicious and fragrant sweet corn dessert (che bap). It is a simple yet irresistibly appealing dish loved by everyone.
Cam Nam’s sweet corn dessert is made from freshly harvested corn grown right in this region. When you visit Cam Nam Island during the corn harvesting season, you can join the local farmers in the fields to handpick the corn.
After harvesting the fresh and delicious corn, you can bring it back to the local villagers’ homes to prepare the sweet corn dessert on your own. Alternatively, you can buy some as gifts for your friends and family to enjoy together.
Explore the Impression Hoi An Park and enjoy the “Memories of Hoi An” show.
When visiting Cam Nam, Hoi An, it would be a waste if you don’t combine a visit to the Impression Hoi An Park and enjoy the “Memories of Hoi An” show.
This show takes place on a “mega-stage,” covering an area of 25,000 m2. Each performance involves over 500 performers. The show portrays the beauty of labor, culture, and unique architecture of Hoi An – Quang Nam, as well as Vietnam in general.
At the Impression Hoi An Park, tourists will have the chance to learn about the glorious history of Hoi An’s ancient town along the Hoai River, explore 13 impressive areas, and enjoy various outstanding mini-shows.
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Must-try specialties when visiting Cam Nam Island.
Cam Nam, specifically, and Hoi An, in general, have long been famous for their flavorful and rustic countryside specialties. Despite their simplicity, these dishes leave a lasting impression on tourists and are surprisingly affordable, making many diners pleasantly surprised.
Cam Nam Cao Lau.
Cao Lau is the first dish that DanangPrivateCar.com believes you must try when visiting Cam Nam Island. The authentic Cao Lau here is made from rice grown in the Quang region, featuring light yellow or white colors.
The topping accompanying Cao Lau includes richly flavored sliced pork, crispy rice crackers, and fresh herbs, all blended with a fragrant and sweet broth, creating an incredibly appealing dish.
Banh dap.
Banh dap is a simple and rustic delicacy of Quang Nam land, with each dish priced from 5000 to 10,000 Vietnamese dong, surprisingly cheap yet irresistibly attractive to tourists. It consists of two layers: wet cake and rice paper, both made from rice flour.
The name “banh dap” comes from the action of “pressing” these two layers together before eating. The cake becomes crunchy on the outside, while the inner wet cake remains soft and flexible, complemented by a special and fragrant fish sauce.
Stir-fried clams.
One of the popular and sought-after dishes by food enthusiasts when visiting Cam Nam is the stir-fried clams. After being caught from Con Hen Cam Nam, the clams are thoroughly cleaned, cooked until tender, and the clam meat is separated.
Despite their small size, the clams have a distinctive sweet and chewy taste. They are stir-fried with fat and seasoned with spices, along with roasted peanuts, chili sauce, coriander, and fried shallots, all blending together to create an irresistibly flavorful dish. Stir-fried clams are often served with rice crackers.
Corn sweet soup.
Corn farming is a traditional occupation of the farmers in Cam An. The Corn sweet soup in Cam Nam is made from the corn grown in the downstream area of the Thu Bon River, which is rich in alluvium.
Corn sweet soup is a dish found in many regions across Vietnam, but the one in Cam Nam Island has its unique flavor, being rich, sweet, and extremely aromatic.
Hoi An Tofu Pudding.
The last dish that DanangPrivateCar.com recommends not to miss when visiting Cam Nam is the Tofu Pudding, also known as “tao hu,” or “dau hu”.
The Tofu Pudding here is made from soybeans like in many other places. It is simply tofu combined with transparent cane sugar syrup, sometimes adding coconut water, jelly, or tapioca pearls. However, this dish will make you want to eat it over and over again.
Moreover, Tofu Pudding is known for its cooling properties and detoxifying effects, making it suitable for any season. In winter, a hot bowl of Tofu Pudding will surely make you ecstatic. While in summer, you can add some refreshing ice cubes to enjoy it cold.
Nearby destinations to combine with a visit to Cam Nam Island.
Hoi An Ancient Town.
Located only about 2.5km from Cam Nam Island, Hoi An Ancient Town is a “must-have” destination on your list when visiting Hoi An. It is a famous ancient town in Vietnam, highly appreciated by international tourists.
The town still preserves nearly 1000 intact ancient architectural relics, including streets, houses, ancestral temples, ancient wells, assembly halls, and pagodas.
When you visit the ancient town, your journey will be extended by the slow-paced, tranquil, and captivating charm of this beautiful ancient town. You can consider joining a tour to Hoi An to have an interesting itinerary. Despite being budget-friendly, tourists can enjoy a variety of delicious and famous local specialties and explore many attractive places in Hoi An.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest.
The Bay Mau Coconut Forest is about 8km from Cam Nam Island. During the resistance against the French and the Americans, the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh was once the most important revolutionary base in Hoi An.
Today, this historical site has become a unique ecotourism destination. When you come here, you will feel like you are lost in the Mekong Delta in the heart of Quang Nam, with a system of canals, coconut water, and diverse vegetation.
Hoi An Silk Village.
To reach Hoi An Silk Village from Cam Nam Island, you will need to travel a distance of over 4km. Hoi An Silk Village is one of the must-visit places if you want to explore the nature, life, and people of the Central Vietnam region.
Hoi An Silk Village is located at 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam. It is not only a place to exhibit and trade silk products, but also directly involved in mulberry planting, silkworm farming, and preserving the traditional silk weaving craft.
Cam Pho Communal House.
Located about 4km from Cam Nam Island, Cam Pho Communal House is an interesting place you can visit when you come to Hoi An. It is the most famous ancient communal house in Hoi An, dating back to the late 15th century.
Cam Pho Communal House possesses the ancient beauty and characteristics of Vietnamese ancient communal houses, with a spacious yard, a waterfront pavilion, and a communal hall that has been associated with generations and left its mark in poetry. The communal house is built in the direction of East-Southeast, creating a unique “Quoc” character shape, covering an area of up to 1125m2.
Tra Que Vegetable Village.
About 6km from Cam Nam Island is Tra Que Vegetable Village, specializing in growing and trading various fragrant and colorful vegetables. Tra Que vegetables are grown in an organic manner, ensuring cleanliness and a unique, delicious aroma.
Here, you will have the opportunity to work in the vegetable garden, planting vegetables with local farmers, and then go to the kitchen to cook delicious dishes and enjoy them right at this tourist destination.
Pocketing travel tips for exploring Cam Nam Island.
- Cam Nam – Hoi An is particularly peaceful and cool in the early morning, so tourists can choose this time to start their stroll and enjoy the fresh air in the morning.
- When visiting Cam Nam Island, you should plan your itinerary to combine with visits to other attractions. Book your hotel room in advance to secure the accommodation of your choice, especially during peak tourist seasons or festive holidays.
- Prioritize choosing soft and sweat-absorbing clothing for your trip, as you will be walking and engaging in many outdoor activities.
- The people of Hoi An – Quang Nam are extremely friendly, hospitable, and enthusiastic. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask the locals if you have any questions. Rest assured that they will answer and guide you willingly!
- Although the weather is not too harsh, Cam Nam, Hoi An sometimes experiences afternoon thunderstorms. Especially from October to December, there are often rainy and stormy periods. Therefore, keep an eye on the weather forecast before planning your trip.
Frequently asked questions about Cam Nam Island.
What can you do on Cam Nam Island?
You can explore the rural landscapes of Cam Nam, experience the cultural activities of the Central Vietnamese countryside. Most importantly, you can discover the Impression Hoi An Park and enjoy the “Memories of Hoi An” show – the grandest show in Hoi An. Along with the local villagers, you can also participate in corn harvesting and savor this delicious dish together.
What to eat when visiting Cam Nam Island?
Some dishes you should try when visiting Cam Nam Island include: Cam Nam Cao Lau, “banh dap” (rice crackers), stir-fried clams, corn sweet soup, and Hoi An tofu pudding. Find out more about many other dishes in the article.
Cam Nam Island in Hoi An is an attractive tourist destination and a culinary paradise in Quang Nam province. When you visit this beautiful island gem, you will be able to admire the tranquil countryside scenery with intimate landscapes. You can indulge in the unique specialties of Cam Nam and explore the cultural essence of Central Vietnam here. So, why wait any longer? Come and explore this island paradise right away!