Hoi An: Countryside Bike Tour & Kim Bong Carpentry Village

Cycle quiet Hoi An lanes meet woodcarvers try crafts taste rice noodles

You’ll pedal from Hoi An into green countryside with a local guide, passing waving neighbors and grazing buffaloes before arriving at Kim Bong Carpentry Village. Try your hand at wood carving (and keep your creation), watch artisans at work, learn how to make rice paper noodles and weave sleeping mats—all in real family homes. It’s three hours that’ll stick with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bike tour through Hoi An countryside

• Cycle 20 minutes to rural area
• Enjoy rice fields and local scenery
• Visit Huynh Ry’s woodcarving workshop
• Try wood carving and make souvenir
• Learn rice paper noodle making
• Weave sleeping mats with locals

The Experience

I didn’t expect to notice the smell of sawdust before we even reached Kim Bong Carpentry Village, but there it was—faint and sweet, drifting across the river as we pedaled out of Hoi An’s busy center. Our guide, Minh, kept an easy pace (I’m not exactly Tour de France material) and pointed out water buffaloes grazing by the rice paddies. The air felt cooler than in town, and every so often someone from a roadside house would wave or call out “xin chào!”—I tried to answer back, probably mangling the tones. Minh just grinned.

The main keyword for me was “hands-on.” At Huynh Ry’s workshop, I watched these guys carve delicate patterns into chunky bits of wood like it was nothing. They handed me a chisel—I hesitated, then tried carving my name. It looked more like a squiggle than anything readable, but everyone laughed and said it was “unique.” The best part? You actually get to keep your little wooden disaster as a souvenir. There’s something about holding it that makes the whole morning feel more real.

After that we stopped at a family house where they showed us how to make rice paper noodles and weave sleeping mats. The lady teaching us had this gentle patience—she let me try spinning the mat loom (not as easy as she made it look). The smell of fresh rice paper steaming up filled the kitchen. We tasted some right there—chewy, warm, kind of nutty. I still think about that bite sometimes when I see packaged noodles back home.

This day trip from Hoi An is only three hours but feels fuller than that somehow. Maybe it’s just being outside the city noise for a bit—or maybe it’s all those small moments with people who live here year-round. Either way, I left with dusty shoes and a weird sense of calm.

Top questions

How long is the Hoi An countryside bike tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours, from 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Is the bike route in Hoi An difficult?

No—the route covers 9 kilometers on flat roads and is suitable for all skill levels.

What do you do at Kim Bong Carpentry Village?

You visit local workshops, watch artisans carve wood, and try carving your own wooden souvenir.

Are hands-on activities included?

Yes—you can try wood carving, making rice paper noodles, and weaving sleeping mats with locals.

Is bicycle rental included in this day trip from Hoi An?

Bicycle rental is available at the meeting point and included in the tour price.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is small—up to 9 participants for a more personal experience.

Does this tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup—the meeting point is central in Hoi An where bikes are provided.

Are guides English-speaking?

Yes—a professional English-speaking guide leads the tour throughout.

What’s included

Your morning includes entry to Kim Bong Carpentry Village, all entrance tickets for workshops and family homes, bottled mineral water to keep you cool along the way, use of a bicycle from the meeting point in Hoi An’s center—and a friendly English-speaking guide who really knows these backroads.