Coconut Basket Boat Ride and Floating Lantern Boat by Night

Hoi An offers two very different kinds of boat ride: a lively spin in a round basket boat among Cam Thanh’s coconut palms, then a quieter glide past lantern-lit streets after dark. This package joins them in one day, with a lantern to set afloat and a wish to send along with it.

I like the mix of hands-on local activities, especially trying crab fishing and rowing, and the easy switch in mood from daytime countryside to Hoi An at night. The main catch is that these are two separate outings, not one continuous 50-minute tour, and you need to arrange your own transport between them.

Key points to know

• Two activities, two places: The basket boat ride is in Cam Thanh during the day; the lantern boat ride is in Hoi An at night.
• The basket ride lasts 50 minutes: You may see a boat spin and a fishing net cast, and can try crab fishing and rowing.
• Arrive early for quieter water: Before 9 a.m. is the suggested time to avoid more crowds.
• Net casting has a cutoff: It ends after 3:45 p.m., so arrive before 3:30 p.m. if you want to catch it.
• One lantern is included per person: You can release it during the 20-minute night ride.
• The $11 price has limits: Hotel transfers, alcoholic drinks and Hoi An’s 120,000 VND UNESCO entrance ticket are not included.

A daytime ride through Cam Thanh’s coconut forest

The first outing starts at Làng Dừa Xanh Coconut Basket Boat Tour, in Cam Thanh. The business is about 100 meters down an alley from the main road, so look for its name on Google Maps or Grab rather than expecting a storefront directly on the road.

You’ll spend about 50 minutes on the water in a traditional round basket boat. The setting is the peaceful coconut forest, and the activities give the ride more to it than simply sitting in a boat and taking photos. Depending on the timing, you can watch a skipper spin a basket boat, see a fishing net cast, try catching crabs and take a turn rowing.

The spinning is the most showy part, while crab fishing and rowing are the better ways to get involved yourself. One outing caught ten crabs easily, though that is no guarantee of your catch. A boat driver who sang while steering made for a particularly lively trip, but that, too, is a bonus rather than a scheduled performance.

A short demonstration of net casting adds a glimpse of local fishing technique. It is only available until after 3:45 p.m.; if seeing it matters to you, plan to arrive before 3:30. For a calmer ride with fewer people around, the operator recommends choosing a start before 9 a.m. and going as early as possible.

This is a playful activity, not a silent nature trip. Spinning boats and lively groups can make the forest feel busy, especially later in the day. If you are hoping for solitude, choose an early time and keep your expectations grounded: the appeal is a fun, accessible introduction to basket boating, rather than a long stretch of untouched countryside.

After dark, a lantern ride in Hoi An

The second activity takes place at night in Hoi An, not at the coconut forest. You’ll board a boat for about 20 minutes on the Hoai River, where the old town’s lanterns and lights form the backdrop. Each person receives one floating lantern to release on the water.

The ritual is simple: make a wish for luck or happiness, set your lantern afloat and watch it join the lights on the river. It is a gentle counterpoint to the noisier daytime ride, and it gives you a reason to linger in town after dusk. The ride is short, so think of it as a brief evening outing rather than a full river cruise.

There is an inconsistency in the tour’s descriptions: the detailed account places the ride on the Hoai River, while one highlight refers to the Thu Bon River. The practical point is that the lantern boat activity is in Hoi An’s ancient-town area, separate from the Cam Thanh basket-boat ride.

The river trip can also fit into a broader evening in town. The tour description suggests visiting the night market and walking the Old Town afterward, but those are not included activities. Allow time for them if you want to make an evening of it, and note that the Hoi An UNESCO entrance ticket is an extra cost.

Planning the two outings on the same day

When you book, the selected time is for the daytime basket boat ride. Once you arrive at Làng Dừa Xanh, tell the team what time you would like to take the lantern boat, and they will arrange it. The two activities are intended for the same day, but the operator can arrange them on separate days if you ask.

That flexibility is useful, but it does mean you need to plan your own day around two different locations and schedules. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the tour details do not specify transport between Cam Thanh and the lantern-boat departure point. Confirm your transfer plan rather than assuming the activities come with a shuttle.

The listed duration is 50 minutes, matching the basket-boat ride. The lantern ride adds about 20 minutes, so the activities themselves total roughly 70 minutes, not counting travel, waiting or time spent in Hoi An afterward. Keep that distinction in mind when comparing this package with other tours or fitting it into a busy day.

What the $11 price covers

At about $11 per person, the package is an affordable way to combine two popular Hoi An-area boat activities. The value is strongest if you want both the interactive daytime ride and the night lantern ritual. You receive a bottle of water on arrival, a hat, umbrella and life jacket for the basket boat, the basket-boat entrance ticket, and one lantern per person for the night ride.

The price does not include alcoholic drinks, hotel transfers or other unlisted expenses. The Hoi An UNESCO entrance ticket is also separate and costs 120,000 VND per ticket. Factor that into your budget if you plan to enter ticketed areas of the Old Town.

Small extras may arise during the day. For example, a photo taken from the bank was offered for 100,000 VND on one outing. It was considered reasonably priced by that customer, but it is optional; you can decide for yourself whether the photo is worth buying.

The package is a private group, which can make the outing more comfortable if you prefer to travel with your own party rather than join a larger group. The host or greeter speaks English and Vietnamese, and the business describes its welcome as English-friendly. Staff have also been praised for being responsive and guiding people through the activities, which is useful when you are coordinating a daytime ride with a separate night booking.

Timing, comfort and practical details

Wear comfortable clothes and bring sunscreen for the daytime ride. A hat, umbrella and life jacket are supplied for the basket boat, but sun protection remains sensible, especially if you choose a later time. A bottle of water is provided as a welcome drink.

The activity is not suitable for people over 140 kg. Pets are not allowed. If you have questions about the boat ride or timing, the team offers communication in English and Vietnamese.

For a less crowded feel, choose a basket-boat time before 9 a.m. If net casting is a priority, arrive before 3:30 p.m. These two tips point in different directions, so decide which matters more: a quieter ride or catching the fishing demonstration. Don’t book a late afternoon slot expecting the net activity to run after its stated cutoff.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still shifting, but the key decision is still your schedule: the basket ride is during the day, while the lantern boat operates at night.

Who will get the most from this tour

This is a good fit if you want a mix of activity and atmosphere without spending much. Families, couples and first-time visitors who enjoy trying simple local activities may appreciate the crab fishing and chance to row. The night boat ride suits anyone who wants a short, scenic pause in Hoi An after dark.

It is less suited to someone seeking a long, quiet nature excursion or a fully guided tour of Hoi An’s history. The basket ride includes fun demonstrations and participation, while the lantern trip is a brief boat ride and wish-making ritual. The Old Town walk and night market are suggestions for afterward, not part of the 20-minute boat activity.

The strongest part of the package is its contrast. In the afternoon, the round boats and fishing activities can be cheerful and a little theatrical. At night, the pace drops, and the lantern on the river becomes the focus. Just remember that the combination requires planning: two sites, two time slots and no hotel transfer included.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want an inexpensive way to pair Cam Thanh’s basket boats with a short lantern ride in Hoi An, and you are happy to organize your own transport and schedule. I especially like the chance to try crab fishing and rowing, plus the included lantern for the evening ride.

Skip it if you want a quiet, extended nature outing or a single tour with transport and all activities bundled together. Choose an early basket-boat slot for a calmer ride, or arrive before 3:30 p.m. if net casting matters more. Either way, set aside time between the two activities and check the extra Old Town ticket cost before you go.

FAQ

How long do the activities take?

The basket-boat ride lasts about 50 minutes. The floating lantern boat ride lasts about 20 minutes, so the two activities add up to roughly 70 minutes on the water, before travel or waiting time.

Do both activities happen in the same place?

No. The basket-boat ride takes place in Cam Thanh during the day. The floating lantern boat ride takes place in Hoi An at night.

Does the selected booking time apply to both activities?

No. The time you choose when booking is for the basket-boat ride. When you arrive, tell the team what time you would like to take the lantern boat.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a welcome bottle of water, a hat, umbrella and life jacket for the basket ride, the basket-boat entrance ticket, and one floating lantern per person for the night ride.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is Làng Dừa Xanh, about 100 meters down an alley from the main road.

What should I bring, and are there any restrictions?

Bring sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes. Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for people over 140 kg.