Hoi An: Basket Boat & Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch

Summary

Hoi An cycling to Cam Thanh village basket boats fishing lunch

You’ll cycle through Hoi An’s countryside with a local guide, float down Cam Thanh’s coconut canals in a bamboo basket boat, and try your hand at net fishing with real fishermen. Afterward, sit down to a homemade Vietnamese set menu lunch before heading back—maybe still thinking about those peaceful waterways.

What’s the experience like?

We started pedaling out of Hoi An just after breakfast, legs still waking up, following our guide Minh as he waved us past a row of tiny coffee stalls. The air smelled like wet grass and wood smoke, and every so often someone would shout “xin chào!” from their front step. I tried to wave back without wobbling off the bike — not always successfully. The ride was mostly flat, winding between rice paddies where ducks looked suspiciously at us. Minh pointed out water buffaloes lounging in the mud, totally unbothered by the world. It felt slow in the best way.

After maybe half an hour (I lost track), we reached Cam Thanh Eco-Village. Minh told us about its history during the wars — apparently these coconut palms hid whole families back then. We climbed into these round bamboo basket boats that look impossible to steer, but somehow our fisherman host spun us around like it was nothing. The water was brownish but calm, with palm leaves brushing my shoulders. At one point we tried net fishing — I managed to fling the net straight onto myself instead of into the canal, which got a good laugh from everyone (me included). And those little purple crabs scuttling around? Minh said they’re good luck if you spot one.

I remember feeling hungry by then — maybe it was all the paddling or just the smell drifting from somewhere nearby. We hopped back on our bikes for a short ride to a family-run restaurant tucked behind some banana trees. Lunch was a proper Vietnamese set menu: spring rolls so crisp you could hear them crack, fish cooked in clay pot, rice fragrant with something I couldn’t name but wish I could find at home. There was laughter around the table — mostly at my attempt to say “ngon quá” (delicious), which Minh kindly corrected for me.

On the drive back to town (thankfully not on bikes this time), I watched sunlight flicker through palm leaves and thought about how quiet it had been out there compared to Hoi An’s old town. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you needed that kind of day until you’re already heading home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cycle trip and basket boat experience

• Meet guide at hotel 8:30 am
• Cycle through countryside and rivers
• Enjoy local greetings and views
• Explore Eco-Village Cam Thanh
• Take paddle basket boat trip
• Meet fishermen and try net fishing
• Cycle to restaurant for Vietnamese set menu
• Cycle back to hotel

Top questions

How long is the basket boat & bike tour in Hoi An?

The tour starts around 8:30 am and lasts until early afternoon, including cycling, basket boating in Cam Thanh Eco-Village, and lunch.

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup by car is included at the start of your day trip from Hoi An.

Do I need to know how to ride a bike for this tour?

You should be able to ride a bicycle comfortably as most of the tour involves cycling through countryside roads.

Are meals included on this Hoi An eco tour?

A Vietnamese set menu lunch is included after your morning activities before returning to town.

Can children join this basket boat & bike experience?

Yes, infants and small children can join using prams or specialized infant seats provided for safety.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by car from Hoi An, all entry fees and taxes covered along the way, use of bicycles for countryside riding, a guided paddle in traditional bamboo basket boats at Cam Thanh Eco-Village with hands-on fishing activities, and finally a Vietnamese set menu lunch before returning comfortably by car.