Hoi An Countryside & City Tour: Pottery, Lanterns, Boat Ride

Pottery wheels, vegetable fields, basket boats, lantern-making and the lantern-lit old town in one day

A private full-day tour of Hoi An's countryside villages and ancient town, with hands-on pottery making at Thanh Ha, vegetable farming at Tra Que, a bamboo basket boat ride in the coconut forest, lantern-making at a local home, lunch and foot massage with a family, and a guided evening walk through the UNESCO-listed old town. English-speaking guide, all entrance fees and transport included. Children from age 5 welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Tra Que Vegetable Village2h · entry included
2. Hoi An Ancient Town1h 15m · entry included

Hoi An countryside and city tour

• Visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village
• Try pottery making
• Explore Tra Que Vegetable Village
• Enjoy lunch and foot massage at local family
• Ride bamboo basket boat in Nipa Palm Coconut Forest
• Try fishing for crabs
• Learn lantern making at local family
• Walk guided tour of Hoi An Ancient Town
• Free time for shopping in Hoi An
• Enjoy night market and lantern boat ride

The experience

Start in the countryside villages outside Hoi An, where the day moves through four separate crafts and activities. At Thanh Ha Pottery Village you'll work a pottery wheel yourself and shape a pot to take home. Then move to Tra Que Vegetable Village to help with the daily work (cultivating soil, planting, watering) before lunch and a foot massage at a local family's home. The afternoon shifts to water: a ride in a bamboo basket boat through the Nipa Palm Coconut Forest, where you can fish for crabs. Back on land, you'll learn lantern-making at another local home and keep the lantern you make.

The evening half moves into Hoi An Ancient Town itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site where your guide walks you through the history of the Japanese bridge, traditional houses, a Chinese Assembly Hall, and the central market. You'll have free time to shop the stalls and explore the back alleys. The day ends with a 20-minute sampan boat ride on the Thu Bon River at night, when the town's colourful lanterns light up the water and the market comes alive.

What’s included

• Private transportation and English-speaking guide.
• pottery-making class with a pot to take home.
• vegetable farming at Tra Que.
• water buffalo ride and bamboo basket boat ride.
• lantern-making class with your finished lantern.
• lunch and foot massage at a local family home.
• entrance fees to all villages and Hoi An Ancient Town.
• 20-minute sampan boat ride on the Thu Bon River at night.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (11 to 95 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Andy Private Tours and Transfers

Is this one for you?The tour runs 10 hours with multiple stops and activities spread across countryside and town, so it suits a full day when you have the time. If you're looking for a shorter outing or prefer to stay in one area, a half-day village tour or a separate evening walk through the old town might fit better.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I make and take home from this tour?

You shape a pot on a pottery wheel at Thanh Ha Pottery Village and keep it. You also make a lantern at a local family home and bring that back as well.

Is the lunch included in the price, and where do I eat?

Lunch is included and served at a local family's home in the countryside, followed by a relaxing foot massage before the afternoon activities.

How much walking is involved in the old town part of the tour?

The guided walk through Hoi An Ancient Town covers the main landmarks (the Japanese bridge, traditional houses, assembly halls and the market) with free time built in to explore the back alleys at your own pace. The walk is moderate and you set the speed.

What's included in the price and what do I need to pay for separately?

The price covers private transportation, all entrance fees to villages and Hoi An city, the pottery and lantern-making classes, the basket boat and water buffalo rides, lunch at a local home with foot massage, bottled water, the 20-minute sampan boat ride, and an English-speaking guide. Dinner, drinks and personal expenses are separate.