Basket Boat Tour Hoi An: Lantern Release on Hoai River

Paddle through coconut forest, then set a lantern adrift on the river at night

A five-hour basket boat tour in Hoi An combines a daytime walk through the Ancient Town's landmarks with an evening paddle through Cam Thanh coconut village and a lantern release on the Hoai River. The tour includes hotel pickup from central Hoi An, an English-speaking guide, dinner, a bottle of water, and one floating lantern per person. Shared boats hold a maximum of five guests. Travelers should have moderate fitness. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hoi An landmarks, basket boat, lanterns

• Pick up from Hoi An hotels
• Visit Museum of Folk Culture
• Visit Old House of Tan Ky
• Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
• Visit Fukian Assembly Hall
• Transfer to Cam Thanh coconut village
• Paddle basket boats in coconut forest
• Enjoy authentic Vietnamese food
• Evening boat ride on Hoai river
• Release lantern on Hoai river
• Explore Nguyen Hoang night market
• Hotel drop off

The experience

The day starts with a 1:30 PM pickup from your Hoi An hotel, heading first into the Ancient Town to see the Museum of Folk Culture, the Old House of Tan Ky, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Fukian Assembly Hall. These stops show the layered architecture (Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese influences woven through the same streets) that makes Hoi An's center distinct. By 4:30 PM you transfer to Cam Thanh coconut village, where the basket boats wait.

A basket boat is a shallow, round-bottomed craft woven from bamboo and sealed with resin, designed to move through the narrow waterways of the coconut forest without getting stuck. You paddle through the water coconut forest on one of these boats in a group of no more than five, watching how the trees grow directly from the water and how the light filters through the canopy. An authentic Vietnamese dinner happens here, grounding the afternoon before the evening shift begins.

At 6:30 PM you head back to the old town area and board a boat on the Hoai River as the light drops. This is when Hoi An's evening magic takes hold: the lanterns strung along the water and the buildings reflected in it. You get one floating lantern to release into the river yourself, watching it drift downstream with the others. After that, you have free time to wander the Nguyen Hoang night market, where vendors sell everything from silk to street food. The tour ends with a hotel drop-off between 7:30 and 8:00 PM.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Hoi An.
• an English-speaking guide for the full tour.
• entry to the Museum of Folk Culture, Old House of Tan Ky, Japanese Covered Bridge, and Fukian Assembly Hall.
• a 15-minute basket boat paddle through Cam Thanh coconut village on a shared boat with a maximum of five guests.
• dinner at the village.
• one floating lantern per person for the Hoai River release.
• a bottle of water.
• and free time to explore the Nguyen Hoang night market.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English14:00

Guide in English13:30

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (9 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (under 5)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Hoi An Food Tour - Private Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book from Hoi An city if you're staying in town and want to avoid the extra travel time from Da Nang. The pickup is built into the schedule and the evening lantern release happens at the optimal time for the river's light and atmosphere. Choose the Da Nang option if that's where you're based and you're willing to spend the extra transfer time to experience both the Ancient Town and the coconut forest in a single afternoon and evening.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (under 5).

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 24h before the start.

What exactly is a basket boat and how do you paddle it?

A basket boat is a round, shallow craft woven from bamboo and sealed with resin, designed to glide through narrow waterways in the coconut forest. You paddle it yourself as part of the tour, moving through the water coconut forest in a small group of no more than five people per boat.

When do you release the lantern, and what does that part of the tour involve?

You release your lantern on the Hoai River at 6:30 PM during the evening boat ride, when the town's lights are reflected in the water. Each person gets one floating lantern to release into the river and watch drift downstream.

Is lunch or dinner included in this tour?

Dinner is included and served at Cam Thanh coconut village in the late afternoon, before the evening portion of the tour. A bottle of water is also provided.

Do I need to book this tour from Hoi An city, or can I join from Da Nang?

You can book the tour either from Hoi An city or from Da Nang city. Both options are available at checkout. Pickup from your hotel is included in either case.

What landmarks do you visit in Hoi An Ancient Town?

The daytime portion includes the Museum of Folk Culture, the Old House of Tan Ky, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Fukian Assembly Hall, all located within Hoi An's Ancient Town.

How much time do you spend paddling the basket boat?

The basket boat paddle through Cam Thanh coconut village lasts 15 minutes on the shared boat, though you spend additional time in the village for dinner and to experience the setting before returning to town.