Hoi An from Chan May or Tien Sa Port: Basket boat rowing in coconut forest

Row a basket boat through coconut forest, then walk the lantern-lit streets of a UNESCO town

A full-day guided tour from Chan May or Tien Sa cruise port to Hoi An Ancient City and the countryside villages around it, with pickup and return timed to your ship. You row a traditional basket boat in Coconut Village, learn vegetable farming at Tra Que, ride or photograph water buffalo, explore the ancient town's covered bridge and assembly halls, and eat lunch at a local family restaurant. The guide speaks English, and all entrance tickets are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. My Khe Beachpassing by
2. Tra Que Vegetable Village40m · entry included
3. Hoi An Ancient Town1h 30m · entry included

Hoi An city and countryside tour

• Pick up at Chan May or Tien Sa Port
• Visit Coconut Village
• Row basket boat and learn fishing
• Ride water buffalo or take photos
• Visit Hoi An Ancient Town
• See Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky House
• Explore Hoi An Cultural Museum and Chinese Assembly Hall
• Visit local market or free shopping time
• Enjoy lunch at local family restaurant
• Relax with traditional foot bath and massage
• Stop at Da Nang Beach or Marble Mountain (optional)
• Return to cruise ship

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at your cruise ship's entrance gate, then heads inland toward the villages that surround Hoi An. First stop is Coconut Village, where you get into a small basket boat (a traditional round craft woven from bamboo), and row through the water coconut forest with help from local fishers. They show you how they cast nets and catch crabs, and some guides demonstrate the old craft of folding coconut leaves into small animals and toys, which they give you as souvenirs. The whole thing takes you off the main tourist path and into the working landscape locals still use.

From there you move to Tra Que Vegetable Village, where a local family walks you through how they grow and harvest vegetables on the same plots their ancestors farmed. You'll have a drink with them and hear their stories. Back on the main road, you stop to ride a water buffalo or take photos with one: a moment that feels more like a real village encounter than a staged photo op. Lunch comes at a family-run restaurant serving local food, not a tour-group canteen. After eating, you get a traditional foot bath with medicinal herbs and a short massage before heading into town.

Hoi An Ancient City is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the tour gives you time to walk the back alleys and see the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House, and the Chinese assembly hall. The guide explains the history as you go, but you're not herded through on a fixed schedule. On the return to the port, there's a chance to stop at Da Nang Beach or Marble Mountain if time allows and you want photos. The whole day runs seven to eight hours, timed so you're back before your ship leaves.

What’s included

• Pickup and return to your cruise ship.
• private modern car or minivan with a safe driver.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• entrance tickets to Hoi An Ancient City and all sites visited.
• lunch at a local family restaurant.
• traditional foot bath with medicinal herbs and massage.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Andy hoi an online Tours

Is this one for you?You'll walk through Hoi An's old town and visit surrounding villages by boat and buffalo. Choose this if you want to experience both settings without splitting your port day between multiple stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 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 you do in the basket boat at Coconut Village?

You row a traditional woven basket boat through the water coconut forest with a local fisher guiding you. They teach you how to cast fishing nets and catch crabs the way they do, and some guides show you how to fold coconut leaves into small crafts, which you keep as a souvenir.

Is the entrance fee to Hoi An Ancient City included in the tour price?

Yes, all entrance tickets to the sites are included: Hoi An Ancient City, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House, and the Chinese assembly hall. You don't pay extra at the gate.

How long does the tour take from pickup to return?

The tour runs seven to eight hours total, starting with pickup at your cruise ship's entrance gate and ending with return to the port in time for ship departure.

What's included for lunch?

Lunch is a meal of local authentic food served at a family-run restaurant in the area, not a tour-group facility. Drinks and personal expenses beyond the meal are not included.