Hoi An Walking Tour from Da Nang: Basket Boat Ride & Night Market

Ride a basket boat, walk an ancient port city, and drift the river at dusk

This six-hour guided tour from Da Nang combines a basket boat ride and fishing net lesson in Coconut Forest with a walking tour of Hoi An's UNESCO-listed ancient town, a Sampan boat cruise along the Thu Bon River at early evening, and time at the night market. Hotel pickup in Da Nang or Hoi An, an English-speaking guide, all entrance tickets, and transport are included. Children from age five are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hoi An Ancient Town1h 30m · entry included
2. Japanese Covered Bridge15m · entry included

Coconut Village and Hoi An Tour

• Pick up from hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An
• Ride bamboo basket boat in Coconut Forest
• Try fishing with big nets
• Watch coconut leaf art demonstration
• Walk tour of Hoi An ancient town
• Visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Tan Ky Ancient House
• See Japanese Covered Bridge
• Visit Cultural and Historical Museum
• Take Sampan boat cruise on small river
• Explore lantern area and night market
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your Da Nang or Hoi An hotel, then a drive to Coconut Forest. There you board a bamboo basket boat (a traditional round vessel locals have used for generations), and learn to fish for crabs while your guide demonstrates how to cast the large fishing nets, then hands you one to try. Your local guides also show their craft by folding coconut leaves into watches, fish, and grasshoppers, which they give you as souvenirs. It's hands-on from the start, not observation.

Next comes the walking tour through Hoi An's ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. The route takes you past the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the Tan Ky Ancient House, and the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of the city, along with the Cultural and Historical Museum. The architecture here dates from the 17th to 19th centuries and reflects centuries of trade: Chinese, Japanese, and French influences are visible in the narrow streets and traditional buildings that line them. Your guide walks you through the history as you move through the town.

As evening falls, you board a Sampan boat for a twenty-minute cruise on the small river, experiencing Hoi An's life at early night time. After the cruise, you walk to the lantern area and night market, where you can browse or eat on your own. The tour ends with a return to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Da Nang or Hoi An.
• English-speaking guide.
• private car or minivan with safe driver.
• basket boat ride in Coconut Forest.
• fishing net lesson and crab fishing.
• coconut leaf souvenirs.
• entrance tickets to Hoi An City and Coconut Village.
• walking tour of Hoi An's ancient town including the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Ancient House, and the Cultural and Historical Museum.
• Sampan boat cruise on the Thu Bon River.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Private Tourguides in Da Nang Hoi An Hue

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guide explaining the architecture and trade routes as you walk through the old town, rather than exploring on your own or reading plaques.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Japanese Covered Bridge and why is it important to Hoi An?

The Japanese Covered Bridge is the symbol of Hoi An city and a highlight of the walking tour. It dates from the period when Hoi An was a bustling international trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, when Japanese, Chinese, and Western trading ships met there, and it stands as a physical reminder of that era.

Can I fish and cast nets myself, or is it just a demonstration?

You get to try both. Your guide will demonstrate how locals throw out the big fishing nets, and then you will cast one yourself. You also have the chance to fish for crabs from the bamboo basket boat.

What happens at the night market, and do I have to eat there?

After the Sampan boat cruise, you walk to the lantern area and night market. You can browse, eat on your own, or skip it. The choice is yours. Meals and drinks are not included in the tour price.

How long is the Sampan boat ride on the river?

The Sampan boat cruise along the small river lasts about twenty minutes and happens at early night time, giving you a chance to see Hoi An's life as the day ends.

What do the guides make from coconut leaves?

Your local guides demonstrate their skills by making watches, fish, and grasshoppers from coconut leaves. They give these handmade souvenirs to you as gifts during the Coconut Forest stop.