Hoi An: Basket Boat Ride, Lantern Workshop & Night River

Summary

Basket boats, handmade lanterns and riverside flavors in Hoi An

You’ll glide through Hoi An’s coconut forest in a basket boat with a local guide, taste crispy Bánh Xèo and Ram spring rolls outdoors, then craft your own flower lantern before releasing it on the Hoai River at dusk. Expect laughter, sticky fingers from glue, and a quiet moment to send off your wish beneath hundreds of floating lights.

What’s the experience like?

We’d already been laughing for ten minutes before I realized how much I was sweating—basket boats aren’t as easy as they look. Our guide, Tam, showed us how to paddle (kind of), but mostly we spun in slow circles under the coconut palms. The air smelled green and earthy, with this wet sweetness that stuck to my skin. A fisherman did a wild spinning trick nearby—everyone cheered except me because I was still clutching the edge like a tourist. Tam grinned and told us stories about the Bay Mau Coconut Forest during the war. I didn’t expect crabs to be so tiny or so fast; I tried net-casting once and missed completely. No one minded.

Back on dry land, there were plates of Bánh Xèo and crispy Ram waiting—hot, crunchy, messy with herbs. The sauce had this sharp tang that surprised me (in a good way). We ate outside while scooters zipped by somewhere behind the trees. Then came the flower lantern workshop. My fingers got sticky with glue as I folded paper petals together—mine looked lopsided compared to Tam’s perfect one, but he said it was lucky that way. There was a moment where everyone went quiet, just writing wishes on slips of paper. It felt kind of private even though we were all sitting together.

The sun had slipped lower by then, so we walked to the Hoai River where old wooden boats bobbed against each other. Climbing into our lantern boat took some shuffling (I almost lost my sandal in the water). Floating out onto the river with all those little lights drifting beside us… I don’t know how to describe it exactly—soft voices from shore, warm air on my face, hundreds of glowing lanterns carrying people’s hopes downstream. When I let mine go, I actually closed my eyes for a second and made a wish—I still think about that moment sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An Basket Boat and Lantern Experience

• Ride basket boat in Bay Mau Forest
• Watch basket boat spinning show
• Try catching crabs and casting nets
• Eat Bánh Xèo and Ram dishes
• Create flower lantern and write wish
• Release lantern on Hoai River

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An basket boat tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if you’re staying in Hoi An.

What food do you get on the tour?

You’ll try Bánh Xèo (crispy pancake) and Ram (spring rolls).

Can children join the basket boat ride?

Yes, children can join—the tour is suitable for all ages.

Do you make your own lantern during this experience?

Yes, there’s a hands-on flower lantern workshop included.

Where does the lantern release happen?

You release your handmade lantern from a traditional boat on the Hoai River in Hoi An Ancient Town.

How long is the basket boat ride?

The ride through Bay Mau Coconut Forest lasts about 30-40 minutes.

Are there vegetarian options for food?

The reference content doesn’t specify vegetarian options.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour may not be recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup in Hoi An, a guided bamboo basket boat ride through Bay Mau Coconut Forest with local stories and crab-catching fun, tasting Bánh Xèo pancakes and Ram spring rolls outdoors, hands-on flower lantern making with all materials provided, plus a traditional lantern boat trip along the Hoai River to release your wish—all led by a local guide before ending in Hoi An Ancient Town for more exploring if you want.