Hoi An & Coconut Forest: Basket Boat Ride, Old Town Night Tour

Summary

Lanterns glow in Hoi An as basket boats spin under coconut trees

You’ll float through Hoi An’s coconut forest in a traditional basket boat, try your hand at net casting with local fishermen, wander ancient streets glowing with lanterns after dark, and taste real Hoi An specialties for dinner. The tour includes hotel pickup in Da Nang and an English-speaking guide who makes every moment feel personal.

What’s the experience like?

We were already laughing before the basket boats even left the shore — I’d never actually sat in one of those round things before, let alone tried to row. Our guide Minh gave us a quick demo (he made it look easy), then let us have a go. I mostly spun in circles. The water in the Bay Mau coconut forest was muddy but smelled fresh, all green and earthy under the thick leaves. Somewhere nearby someone was playing music — not loud, just drifting over the water. Minh showed us how to cast a fishing net (I nearly tangled myself), and there was this moment where a local fisherman handed me a tiny crab he’d just pulled up from his trap. I didn’t expect to feel so clumsy or so welcome at the same time.

After that, we drove into Hoi An as dusk settled in. The whole place glowed gold and pink — you know that weird light just before sunset? It made the Japanese Covered Bridge look almost unreal. Minh told us about its history (I only half caught it because I was distracted by a group of kids chasing each other with lanterns). We ducked into Phung Hung Ancient House too; it creaked under our feet and smelled faintly of old wood and incense. There was an old lady sitting by the doorway who nodded at us but didn’t say much — I liked that.

I got lost for a bit wandering through the night market — too many colors and smells: grilled pork skewers, sweet rice cakes, something floral from a stall selling handmade soaps. Dinner was a blur of plates passed around: cao lau noodles, white rose dumplings, some crispy thing I still can’t name. Someone at our table tried to order in Vietnamese and our server giggled but understood anyway. By the time we piled back onto the bus for Da Nang, my shirt smelled like river water and smoke from street food grills. I still think about that view on the river as we left Hoi An behind — lanterns floating everywhere, like tiny promises you could almost touch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Da Nang to Hoi An cultural tour

• Pick up from Da Nang hotels
• Visit Stone Carving Village
• Explore Bay Mau Coconut Forest
• Enjoy basket boat ride and race
• Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
• Tour Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall
• Explore Phung Hung Ancient House
• Dinner with Hoi An specialties
• Visit Hoi An Night Market
• Return to Da Nang city center
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An & Coconut Forest tour?

Yes, roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang city center are included.

Do I get to try rowing the basket boat myself?

Yes, you can row the basket boat yourself with guidance from locals.

What’s included for dinner on this day trip?

Dinner features local Hoi An specialties; vegetarian options are available if requested.

Are entrance fees to attractions like Japanese Bridge covered?

Yes, entry fees to main sites such as Japanese Covered Bridge are included.

How long does this tour last from pick-up to drop-off?

The tour lasts around 6–7 hours including transfers from Da Nang.

Can children join this tour? Is it family-friendly?

Yes, children can join; infants may ride on laps or in strollers.

Is there free time at Hoi An Night Market?

You’ll have some free time to explore the night market independently.

Will there be an English-speaking guide throughout?

An experienced English-speaking local guide leads the entire tour.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang city center, all entry fees to attractions like Phung Hung Ancient House and Japanese Covered Bridge, a guided basket boat ride with hands-on fishing activities in Bay Mau coconut forest, bottled water along the way, an experienced English-speaking guide sharing stories throughout, plus dinner featuring Hoi An specialties before returning to your hotel at night.