Hoi An Countryside: Motorbike Villages Tour with Local Lunch

Summary

Ride pillion past rice fields & river villages, taste local dishes, meet artisans in Hoi An’s countryside

You’ll ride pillion with a local guide through Hoi An’s countryside by motorbike, stopping at Tra Que Vegetable Village for fresh herbs and Thanh Ha Pottery Village to try your hand at clay spinning. Cross rivers by ferry to Kim Bong Carpentry Village and share lunch with locals — it’s noisy, honest travel that sticks with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

Li grinned at me in the rearview mirror as we zipped out of Hoi An’s old town — I was still clutching her shoulders a little too tightly, but she just laughed and told me to relax, “You’ll get used to it!” The motorbike felt wobbly for the first five minutes, but then suddenly we were gliding between rice paddies and water buffalo, sun on my arms and that faint herbal smell from someone burning lemongrass nearby. I’d never realized how much you can see from the back of a scooter — kids waved from doorways, and an old man balancing baskets on his bike gave us a nod. It’s nothing like being stuck in a car.

Our first stop was Tra Que Vegetable Village. Li pointed out rows of basil and something called “fish mint” (I tried it — still not sure about that taste). There were women in conical hats bent over green beds, hands moving fast. We watched them work for a while; one lady handed me a bunch of coriander straight from the earth. My fingers smelled like it all morning. Then we rode on to Thanh Ha Pottery Village — there’s this earthy clay scent everywhere, and you hear these soft thuds from the old-style wheels spinning. I tried shaping a bowl with one of the potters (my attempt looked more like a lopsided ashtray), but he just smiled and patted my shoulder.

The ferry over to Kim Bong Carpentry Village only took ten minutes, but it felt like another world. The air changed — wood shavings mixed with river breeze — and you could hear chisels tapping before you even saw the workshops. Our guide explained how these families have been building boats here for centuries. I watched two men carve dragon heads for temple doors; their hands moved so surely I almost forgot to take photos. Lunch was at some little spot by the river: noodles with crunchy vegetables from Tra Que, lots of herbs, fish sauce that nearly knocked me sideways (in a good way). We all sat together on low stools and swapped stories about our hometowns.

I keep thinking about that moment riding back over Cua Dai Bridge — golden light on the water, boats drifting below us, my hair tangled from the wind and Li humming some song I didn’t recognize. There’s something about seeing Hoi An’s countryside this way: up close, noisy sometimes, always real. If you’re even half-curious about what’s outside those lantern-lit streets, this day trip by motorbike is worth every bump in the road.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Motorbike tour of Hoi An countryside

• Ride pillion on motorbike with guide
• Cross Thu Bon River bridge
• Visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village
• Explore Kim Bong Carpentry Village
• See Tra Que Vegetable Village
• View scenery from Cua Dai Bridge
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant

Top questions

Is this countryside tour suitable for beginners on scooters?

You don’t need to drive yourself unless you want to; each guest rides pillion behind an experienced local driver.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant featuring regional dishes with fresh vegetables from Tra Que village.

How long does it take to reach Kim Bong Carpentry Village from Hoi An?

The ferry ride takes about 10 minutes from Hoi An ancient town to Kim Bong village on Cam Kim island.

What should I bring for this day trip around Hoi An?

Bring sun cream, mosquito spray, sunglasses—and maybe clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or splashed.

Are children or infants allowed on this motorbike tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ride; check comfort levels before booking.

Will there be opportunities to interact with locals during the tour?

Yes—at every stop you’ll meet villagers working in gardens or workshops and share lunch together.

Can I try making pottery during the Thanh Ha Pottery Village visit?

Yes—there are hands-on pottery-making experiences available as part of your visit there.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Hoi An, riding pillion or driving your own scooter if you prefer (same price), all stops at six traditional villages including Tra Que Vegetable Village and Kim Bong Carpentry Village, bottled water throughout, coffee or tea breaks along the way, an English-speaking local guide sharing stories as you go, plus a home-style lunch with fresh regional ingredients before heading back in the afternoon.