Hoi An: Countryside Bike Tour & Basket Boat Cooking Class

Summary

Cycle quiet roads near Hoi An, row basket boats, cook with locals

You’ll cycle quiet lanes near Hoi An with a local guide, visit riverside villages and water coconut groves, row a basket boat with real fishermen, and try your hand at planting herbs before joining a hands-on cooking class for lunch. Expect laughter, muddy fingers, and glimpses into daily life you won’t get from any window.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the hush—no motorbikes, just the soft whir of our bikes rolling along the Thu Bon River. Our guide, Minh, waved us over to a cluster of old wooden boats where fishermen were mending nets. He grinned and told us this village has been here for more than a century. I tried to ask one of the older men how long he’d been fishing (my Vietnamese is...not great), and he just laughed and patted my shoulder. The air smelled like river water and something green I couldn’t quite place.

We wound through country roads at an easy pace—rice paddies on both sides, water buffaloes chewing lazily in the shade. Minh pointed out how the fields change with the seasons; right now they were bright green but you could see patches where last year’s harvest had left golden stubble. We stopped in a water coconut village—seven hectares of tangled palms—and Minh started telling stories about how people hid here during the war. I hadn’t expected that part; it made everything feel heavier for a minute.

Next was the basket boat ride. I’m not exactly graceful with oars, but our local captain (she called herself Auntie Lan) didn’t seem to mind my clumsy paddling. She showed us how to throw nets for crabs—mine landed in a bush instead of the water, which got everyone laughing. The canal was so narrow you could touch both banks if you stretched your arms out.

After we dried off, we cycled on to Tra Que Vegetable Village. The smell hit me before we even got there—fresh basil and something peppery in the air. A local farmer handed me a tiny trowel and tried to show me how to plant herbs without squashing them (I failed). They don’t use any chemicals here, just compost from riverweed and buffalo dung—honestly, it’s impressive. Lunch was rice pancakes we made ourselves (sort of—I needed help flipping them), plus a spread of dishes I still think about when I’m hungry late at night back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cycling and local life exploration

• Pick up from hotel in Hoi An
• Cycle along Thu Bon River
• Visit fishing village and learn fishing
• Cycle through water coconut village
• Row basket boat and throw nets
• Hear about Vietnam War history
• Cycle to organic vegetable village
• Learn about vegetable growing and fertilizers
• Taste vegetables and have lunch
• Return to hotel to end tour

Top questions

How far is the cycling distance on this Hoi An countryside tour?

The total cycling distance is about 16km from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included in this Hoi An countryside bike tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if your hotel is within 1-5km from Hoi An central area.

Do I need previous experience to row the basket boat?

No experience is necessary; local guides will show you how during the tour.

What food do we cook in the class?

You’ll learn how to make rice pancakes and enjoy other traditional Hoi An dishes for lunch.

Are bicycles provided or should I bring my own?

Bicycles are provided as part of the tour inclusions.

Is this tour suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The tour can accommodate dietary needs or allergies; just let them know in advance.

Will we visit Tra Que Vegetable Village during this day trip?

Yes, Tra Que Vegetable Village is one of the main stops on this countryside tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup within central Hoi An, use of bicycles for exploring riverside paths and villages, entrance tickets along the route, a 45-minute basket boat ride with all gear provided, an interactive rice pancake cooking class at a local family home, lunch featuring regional specialties at Tra Que Vegetable Village, an English-speaking guide throughout, bottled mineral water to keep you cool in the sun—and your return transfer back when it’s all done.