Kayaking in Hoi An: Bike and Paddle the Thu Bon River

Watch fishermen return with the day's catch from a kayak on the water.

A full-day bike and kayak tour in Hoi An that starts with a guided cycle through traditional cottage industries, rice fields, and boat-building yards, then shifts to paddling the Thu Bon River at a gentle pace. Hotel pickup is included, and the day wraps around a lunch at a local house and a stop to watch a family make Banh Dap by hand. The guide speaks English and the route suits all fitness levels.

The Experience

You arrive in Hoi An without a car, or you have a free afternoon and want to move beyond the old town. The tour picks you up from your hotel and starts with a short cycle into the rural area just outside the center—the place where artisans still work the way their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. The morning unfolds as a series of stops: hands-on time at local workshops, a walk through rice fields, a look at the shipyard where wooden boats still go together by hand. You ride at a pace that lets you absorb the rhythm of the place, not race through it.

Around midday you stop at a local house for lunch, refueling properly before the second half of the day. After eating, you cycle a bit further along the riverside, then trade the bike for a kayak. Paddling at a gentle pace, you see the sights of Hoi An that only make sense from the water—fishing hamlets, fishermen returning with a successful catch, the small details of daily life that the road misses. There's a rest stop along the way to take in the view. When the paddling is done, transport waits to bring you back to your hotel.

The day runs seven hours total. You get a bike with a helmet, a kayak, lunch, coffee or tea and fresh fruit at a snack stop, and cold water throughout. The guide speaks English and knows which stops matter and which ones don't. If you're traveling with children, child seats are available for kids up to 14kg, and kids' bikes come in smaller sizes with discounts for children 12 and under.

What’s included

• Bike and helmet.
• kayak.
• lunch at a local house.
• coffee or tea and fresh fruit at a snack stop.
• cold water throughout the day.
• all entrance fees.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and return.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Discova Vietnam

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Hoi An without a car or want a structured way to see both the rural workshops and the river in one day. The guide handles the route and timing, so you move between the bike and the water without figuring out where to go next.

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Top questions

What's the difference between cycling through Hoi An and paddling the Thu Bon River on this tour?

The bike takes you through the rural workshops, rice fields and boat-building yards where traditional crafts still happen the way they have for centuries. The kayak shows you the same landscape from water level—fishing hamlets, the daily catch coming in, the sights that only reveal themselves when you're paddling instead of pedaling. Both are part of the same day, so you see Hoi An two ways.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point?

Hotel pickup is included, so the tour collects you from where you're staying and brings you back at the end. You don't need a car or need to find the meeting point yourself.

What happens during the lunch break?

You eat a traditional lunch at a local house, which gives you a proper refuel before the kayaking part of the day. If you have dietary requirements, let the operator know when you book.

Is this tour suitable if I've never kayaked before?

The kayaking happens at a gentle pace on the Thu Bon River, and the tour is designed for all fitness levels. The guide leads the way and the paddling is steady, not demanding.

What should I bring or wear?

Bring swimwear under your clothes and wear something you don't mind getting wet. The operator provides helmets for the bike, and cold water in refillable bottles is available throughout the day. Provide your height when booking so the bike and kayak fit properly.