Central Vietnam · HOI AN BASKET BOAT TOURS
Every basket boat trip spins through the same nipa palms at Cam Thanh. What changes is the price, the crowd and what comes bundled with it: a crab hunt, a cooking class, a bike ride out. These 15 sort that out.
At Bay Mau Coconut Forest, a local boat guide takes two people in a round basket boat through the waterways, with chances to try crab fishing and watch a fishing net cast. The 50-minute ride costs from $3.88 per person. Arrive before 9 a.m. for a quieter river, and budget extra if you want boat spinning or photos.
“well organised. great fun. the boat guys are amazing. lots of singing. an around fun time.”
Spend about four and a half hours combining a Hoi An market visit, a bamboo basket-boat ride in Cam Thanh, a try at net fishing, and a hands-on cooking class. A chef-guide, such as Hai or Ly, teaches four dishes, with recipes to take home. Central Hoi An pickup is offered, and morning and afternoon departures provide flexibility.
“Lý was a great chef and we had a wonderful time cooking Vietnamese dishes. Would highly recommend this tour! 5/5 stars!”
Meet your guide in Hoi An for a market visit, a 40-minute bamboo basket boat ride through water coconut palms, and a hands-on cooking class. You may learn with guides such as Anna, Thao or Linh. Expect seasonal produce, folk songs on the water, and a generous meal of the dishes you prepare.
“We had such a fantastic time on this tour! Thao was so kind and helpful, making it an experience we will remember for a long time & take the delicious recipes back to Ireland! Thank you again Thao 💗”
In Cam Thanh, a local boatman rows you through coconut-palm waterways in a traditional bamboo basket boat. Try rowing, look for small crabs, and watch boat performances, with karaoke sometimes joining the river soundtrack. The ride lasts about one to two hours; hotel pickup may be arranged. Spinning and boat photos can cost extra.
“brilliant fun value for money, we booked a time and just got a Grab to and from danang and into Hoi An. well worth it. shout out to hang too great guide.”
Spend about four and a half hours visiting a Hoi An market, riding a bamboo basket boat through Cam Thanh’s nipa palm forest, trying crab fishing, and cooking Vietnamese dishes with an English-speaking chef. Hotel pickup in Hoi An is included. Classes are small, with a maximum of 11 people, and lunch or dinner departures are available.
“Fantastic experience! Our guide was very funny and we had a blast cooking all of the amazing foods. The coconut boats are fun, we were caught in a rainstorm but it added to the craziness of our experience. 10/10!”
From Cẩm Thanh, ride a traditional round bamboo basket boat through Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Local boat rowers show you how to paddle, help you try crab fishing, and may demonstrate boat spinning and net casting. Hotel pickup is available if selected. Go before 9 AM for a quieter river, or arrive before 3:30 PM to catch the net casting.
“Lovely experience from start to finish and very well organised. Car picks you up from your hotel, you get a detailed briefing and then dropped off back at your hotel. Ding as the coconut boat driver was fantastic, enthusiastic and happy whilst singing songs and taking lots of photos and videos! Highly recommend for a hassle free and fun experience”
This three-hour Hoi An outing combines a guided basket boat ride through the Bay Mau nipa forest with crab catching and a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Instructors such as Thuy and Li lead the cooking, while local boat rowers add songs, stories, and, sometimes, a lively spin for an extra charge.
“Amazing day. So much fun. I couldn’t believe the value! So much food to eat, met and spoke to interesting people from all over the world and the he banana boat was great!!”
Spend about six and a half hours between Cam Thanh’s water coconut forest and Hoi An Ancient Town. Try traditional net fishing and a basket boat ride, see historic buildings with an English-speaking guide, then have a local dinner and take a short Hoai River boat ride with a flower lantern release. Hotel pickup, drop-off and entrance fees are included.
“Chau was great guide. We visit amazing places, took a lot of photos and fixed unforgettable memories. Highly recommend this guide. Thank you for trip.”
This 4.5-hour Hoi An outing pairs a guided market visit with net fishing, crab catching and a basket-boat ride through Bay Mau Coconut Forest. An English-speaking guide and chef lead a two-hour cooking class, then you eat what you prepare. Hoi An hotel transfers, drinks and the forest ticket are included.
“A fantastic day Great tour guide very friendly and knowledgable Good fun Great food Very authentic Picked us up at the hotel went to a local market then on to the fishing for a fun day and good food”
Spend four hours moving from Hoi An’s market to the Thu Bon River and Bay Mau coconut forest, then join a hands-on class for four Vietnamese dishes. Hotel pickup, a local guide, a basket boat ride, and a herbal foot soak and massage are included. Ask ahead about dietary needs and confirm which extra activities will run on your date.
“This afternoon experience was fun. Be showed us through the markets, talked about different foods & spices, then we went on an old town wood boat up the river & a short basket ride (transferred from boat to basket in the river!) & then a Read more”
Spend about four and a half hours cycling outside Hoi An with an English-speaking guide, visiting a fishing village, rice fields, coconut forest, and Tra Que vegetable village. You’ll try a 45-minute basket-boat ride, learn to make a rice pancake, and have lunch. Hai is a guide name associated with the tour.
“Hai was an absolutely amazing guide! He was very knowledgeable and taught us all about Hoi An and the life here. Everything was completed at a great pace where we could see everything, chat to him and take photos. It was great as Read more”
Leave Hoi An early for My Son Sanctuary, where an English-speaking guide explains the Cham temples and you can watch a traditional performance. The day also includes lunch, rice paper making at a local home, and a boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Choose the separate Bay Mau coconut forest option for about 45 minutes in a bamboo basket boat with a local boatman.
“Knowledgeable guide very informative. A nicely balanced day trip with combination of car and boat transport. Excellent value for money. Thank you Tuon and Tien for a great experience.”
Choose a cooking class alone or add a guided Hoi An market visit, a 20-minute basket boat ride in Cam Thanh, and hotel transfers from Hoi An or Da Nang. English-speaking guides lead the cooking, with past classes taught by guides including Vy, Flower, Li, and Jennifer. Expect a shared meal, generous portions, and the option to request vegetarian alternatives.
“Our guide was kind, even buying people in the group rain ponchos when it was raining outside. Enjoyed the cooking class and the dishes prepared - lots of food & memories made!”
Visit a local market with an English-speaking guide, ride a round basket boat through Hoi An’s water coconut forest, cook dishes such as pho and banh xeo, then make a lantern to take home. Guides including Linh, Anna, and Thao have led the experience, though your guide may vary. Morning and afternoon schedules are available.
“Thank you very much to Lin it was perfect, we had so much fun !”
Spend a half-day in Cam Thanh with a market visit, a basket boat ride through Bay Mau coconut forest, and hands-on cooking at Cocolocal Farm. Learn about local ingredients, then prepare dishes such as banh xeo, pho, papaya salad, and spring rolls. Pickup is offered, and chef Suong is named as a host, though the class leader may vary.
“Was such an amazing experience. Must do in Hoi An!!! Food was delicious and was such a good way to learn about the culture. Would do again!”
A boat, a kitchen, a bicycle or the old streets on foot.
