Hoi An: Basket Boat Ride & Coconut Forest Tour with Pickup

Summary

Hoi An’s coconut groves by basket boat, folk songs echoing over calm water, local laughter and fresh river air

You’ll glide through Hoi An’s lush water coconut forest by basket boat with a local guide, try your hand at crab fishing, share laughs during a folk song performance, and taste sweet Vietnamese tea and cakes. Expect hands-on moments and genuine warmth — it’s the kind of day that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the soft clack of bamboo paddles hitting the water — not loud, just a gentle rhythm that carried across the canals in Cam Thanh village. Our guide, Anh, handed me a tiny cup of Vietnamese tea (sweet and grassy) before we even got near the boats. She grinned when I tried to say “cảm ơn” properly — I probably butchered it, but she just laughed and poured more tea. The air smelled faintly of river mud and something green, like crushed leaves after rain.

I didn’t expect the basket boats to wobble so much at first. They’re round — you sort of spin if you’re not careful — but Anh showed us how to paddle without going in circles. We drifted through these narrow waterways lined with water coconut palms; their fronds brushed my arm sometimes, cool and waxy. There were other boats nearby too, mostly locals singing old folk songs (I only caught a few words), and at one point this kid did a little “basket boat circus” spin for us. He looked about twelve but steered like he’d been doing it forever.

Crab fishing was trickier than it sounds — I kept missing them but managed to catch one tiny blue crab before it scuttled away again. Anh cheered anyway. The sun came out halfway through and everything glowed gold for a minute; I still think about that light on the water. We ended up back on shore with sticky fingers from the rice cakes they handed out. It wasn’t fancy or anything — just real people showing us their way of life for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An Basket Boat Ride Experience

• Pick up from hotel
• Transfer to Cẩm Thanh village
• Welcome with tea and cakes
• Visit Cẩm Thanh water coconut forest
• Enjoy ecological scenery
• Ride bamboo basket boat 50-60 minutes
• Navigate canals with local people
• Join boating and crab fishing activities
• Watch basket circus performance
• Enjoy traditional folk song
• Try fishing net throw
• Take souvenir photos
• Return transfer to hotel

Top questions

How long does the Hoi An basket boat tour last?

The tour lasts about 2 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included in this Hoi An coconut forest tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hoi An Old Town or beach areas.

What activities are part of the basket boat ride?

You’ll ride in bamboo basket boats, try crab fishing, watch a basket boat performance, enjoy folk songs, and taste local tea and cakes.

Are entrance tickets included in the price?

Yes, entrance tickets to Cam Thanh water coconut forest are included.

Is this tour suitable for children or seniors?

Yes, all fitness levels are welcome; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What should I bring for the day trip to Hoi An’s coconut forest?

Bring sun protection; life jackets, umbrellas or raincoats are provided if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Hoi An Old Town or beach areas, entrance tickets to Cam Thanh water coconut forest, a ride in a traditional bamboo basket boat with hands-on activities like crab fishing and folk song performances, plus Vietnamese tea and cakes served along the way before returning comfortably to your hotel.