Hoi An Herb Village Farming Experience & Lunch

Summary

Farm with Tra Que Locals & Taste Real Vietnamese Cooking

Spend your day at Tra Que Herb Village near Hoi An: farm side-by-side with local growers, try riding a buffalo and rowing a basket boat, then unwind with a traditional massage before sharing an authentic Vietnamese lunch. It’s an experience you’ll feel in your hands—and remember long after you wash them clean.

What’s the experience like?

“Try not to splash the water on your shoes!” That’s what our guide, Minh, called out as we stepped into the rows of green at Tra Que Herb Village. The smell hit me first — sharp, fresh basil and something earthy I couldn’t quite name. We’d barely arrived from Hoi An when Minh handed us woven hats and showed us how to scoop seaweed from the pond (it’s for fertilizer, apparently). I didn’t expect my hands to get so muddy so fast, but honestly, it felt good — like being let in on a secret that only the farmers know.

I tried copying the way one of the older women patted down the soil, but my little mound looked more like a lopsided pancake than anything useful. She laughed and showed me again, slower this time. There were chickens darting around and a buffalo chewing lazily nearby — he’d be our ride later (I was nervous about that part). The sun was already warm by mid-morning, but there was always a breeze coming off the river. At one point I just stopped digging and listened: birds, someone chopping herbs in the kitchen behind us, distant motorbikes.

After planting, we took turns riding the buffalo — which is bumpier than it looks in photos — and then climbed into round bamboo basket boats. Minh spun us in circles until we were all dizzy and laughing. By then I was starving. Back at Tra Que Water Wheel restaurant, lunch started with crispy spring rolls and this papaya salad that tasted so bright it almost stung my tongue (in a good way). Fish came bubbling in a claypot; I picked out lemongrass stalks while trying not to eat too fast. Before eating though, they gave us this head-shoulder-foot massage — honestly, I could’ve napped right there.

I still think about that morning sometimes — how simple it felt to just dig in the dirt with strangers who quickly felt like friends. If you’re looking for some polished “tour” thing, this isn’t it. But if you want to actually meet people from Hoi An and see how they live (and eat), well… you’ll probably leave with muddy shoes too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Farming and Local Experiences

• Welcome drinks
• Visit vegetable village
• Village history introduction
• Explore Tra Que Herb Village and ecosystem
• Plant vegetables with farmers
• Buffalo ride experience
• Bamboo basket boat rowing
• Head-Shoulder-Foot massage

Top questions

How do I get to Tra Que Herb Village from Hoi An?

Private transportation is included in the tour; pickup is arranged from your location in Hoi An.

Is lunch included during the farming experience?

Yes, a traditional Vietnamese lunch is included at Tra Que Water Wheel restaurant after the activities.

Can children or infants join this farming tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Is this activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

What kind of food will be served for lunch?

The menu includes spring rolls, local pancake, papaya salad, fish in claypot (or chicken/pork), plus dessert.

Do I need any farming experience to join?

No experience is needed; local farmers will show you each step during the activities.

Are massages really part of this day trip?

Yes—a head-shoulder-foot massage is included before lunch at the restaurant.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Hoi An to Tra Que Herb Village and back again; all farming activities with local guides; buffalo riding; bamboo basket boat rowing; a relaxing head-shoulder-foot massage before lunch; and a full Vietnamese meal at Tra Que Water Wheel restaurant—so you won’t need to plan anything except showing up ready to get your hands dirty.