Hoi An Village Life: Farm Visit & Basket Boat River Tour + Lunch

Summary

Cycle Hoi An’s villages, meet farmers, and float in basket boats

You’ll cycle through Hoi An’s peaceful villages with a local guide, try your hand at farming in Tra Que Vegetable Village, float in a traditional basket boat on the river, and share lunch made from fresh local ingredients—a day full of small surprises you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to smell so green out in Cẩm Hà—like wet grass and something sweet I couldn’t place. Our guide, Minh, showed up at the hotel with these sturdy bikes (not flashy but honestly more comfortable than I thought). We pedaled past rice paddies where water buffaloes just stared at us—one of them actually let me get close enough for a photo. Minh joked that the buffalo was the real boss around here. He waved at every farmer we passed; everyone seemed to know him.

The ancient Japanese tomb surprised me. It’s tucked away behind some trees, quiet except for birds and the distant sound of someone chopping vegetables. Minh explained bits of history—some of it I caught, some I probably missed because I got distracted by a kid chasing ducks nearby. The vegetable garden at Tra Que was next. The soil felt cool when I tried planting mint (not as easy as it looks). A woman named Lan handed me a handful of herbs to smell—my hands still smelled like basil hours later.

After that, we headed to Cẩm Thanh for the river part. The basket boat is round and wobbly—I almost tipped us over trying to sit down, which made our rower laugh so hard she had to stop paddling for a second. We floated into this coconut forest where it suddenly got shady and quiet except for cicadas buzzing overhead. She showed us how to catch tiny crabs with a bit of string; I was terrible at it but she pretended not to notice.

Lunch was simple—rice, grilled fish, some greens—but tasted way better than anything back in town. Maybe it’s just being hungry from biking or maybe it’s eating with people who grew half the food themselves. On the way back to the hotel, my legs were tired but my head felt clear in that way you only get after being outside all day. I still think about that moment floating under those coconut palms—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Biking and Village Visits

• Biking through rice fields
• Visit Ancient Japanese tombe
• Visit Organic Vegetable garden

Day 2 — Basket Boat and Local Lunch

• Row basket boat in coconut forest
• Watch artisan performance
• Have local lunch
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An village tour?

Yes, your local guide will meet you at your hotel in Hoi An.

What villages do we visit on this day trip?

You’ll visit Cẩm Hà and Cẩm Thanh villages near Hoi An.

Do we get to ride a basket boat during the tour?

Yes, there’s a traditional coconut basket boat ride included.

Is lunch provided on this farm & fishing experience?

Yes, lunch with local food is included after the activities.

Are bicycles provided or do I need my own?

Bicycles are provided by the tour operator for all guests.

Is this tour suitable for families with kids?

Yes, it’s recommended for families and children can join all activities.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

The lunch is based on local ingredients; vegetarian options can be arranged if requested in advance.

How long does this Hoi An farm & river tour last?

The tour starts at 8:30 am and returns around 2:30 pm.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Hoi An, good bicycles for exploring rural villages, entrance fees to both Tra Que Vegetable Village and the Eco Coconut Jungle, a guided basket boat ride on the river, cold beers or coconut juice along the way, and a homemade local lunch before heading back in the afternoon.