Hoi An Countrylife Tour: Pottery, Farming & Vietnamese Dinner

Summary

Hands-On Hoi An Village Tour with Local Cuisine

You’ll dig into real village life in Hoi An—try your hand at pottery, get muddy in rice fields, taste fresh herbs you picked yourself, and end with a home-cooked Vietnamese meal. If you want to see how locals really live (and eat), this tour’s for you.

What’s the experience like?

Red brick paths led us into Thanh Ha, a pottery village that’s been around for over 500 years. The air smelled faintly of clay, and I could hear the soft thump of a potter’s wheel before I even saw it. Our guide, Mr. Minh, waved us over to meet an elderly craftsman—his hands moved so quickly, shaping wet clay into bowls and vases. He let us try the wheel too. Honestly, my bowl looked more like a wobbly pancake than anything else, but he just laughed and showed me how to fix it. There’s something calming about the rhythm here—old houses, quiet chatter, the occasional rooster crowing in the distance.

Next up was Tra Que vegetable village. The fields stretched out in neat rows, all shades of green. We got our hands dirty prepping the soil with seaweed (it’s got this salty, earthy smell), then planted tiny herbs and watered them with those old-school metal cans. The locals here don’t rush—they showed us how to rake the ground just right and pick the freshest mint leaves. It was warm but not too hot, and the breeze made it easy to forget the time. I even spotted a vendor selling iced lotus tea by the gate—super refreshing after gardening.

We finished at Cam Thanh’s rice paddy farm. The paddies glowed gold in the late afternoon sun, and water buffaloes grazed nearby—one even let me hop on for a short ride (slippery but fun!). Ploughing the muddy field was harder than it looks; my shoes were caked in mud within minutes. Our host explained how rice is planted by hand here, just like generations before. After washing up, we sat down to dinner at a small family restaurant—crispy spring rolls, grilled fish, and a tangy dipping sauce I still think about. They dropped us back at our hotel just as the lanterns started to glow in town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An Village and Farming Experience

• Visit Thanh Ha pottery village and try pottery making
• Join gardening activities at Tra Que vegetable village
• Work and take photos at Cam Thanh rice paddy farm

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older adults?

Yes, it’s relaxed and hands-on, with guides helping at every step. There are activities for all ages, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Do I need to bring anything special?

Just wear comfy clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty—especially for the rice fields. Everything else is provided.

Is dinner included? What kind of food is served?

Yes, dinner is included at a local family restaurant. Expect classic Vietnamese dishes—fresh veggies, spring rolls, grilled fish, and more.

How long does the tour last?

The whole experience takes about half a day, including travel time and dinner. You’ll be dropped off back at your hotel in Hoi An afterwards.

What’s included

You’ll get all entry tickets, a welcome drink when you arrive, air-conditioned transport between villages, hands-on activities in pottery and farming, plus a full Vietnamese dinner at a family-run spot. Everything’s taken care of—you just show up ready to try something new.