Central Vietnam · HOI AN RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best Hoi An River Cruises

53 tours  ·  from $5 a head

Here are 15 hoi an river cruises worth handing your money to, with the price, the traveller verdict and the one detail to check before you pay.

Hoi An : Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern - A private wooden boat for one to five
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Hoi An Lantern Boat Rides, Hoi An Night Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews

Hoi An : Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern

1.Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,988 reviews · 20 min · from $8Our pick

Meet an English-speaking guide by the Kazimierz Kwiatkowski bust on Tran Phu Street, collect your paper lantern, and walk about five minutes to the dock. Your group of up to five gets its own wooden boat for a 10-to-15-minute ride on the Hoai River. The rower helps light and release your lantern; expect scenery, not guided commentary.

“the guide Mr Linh was on time to give us tickets and guided us to the river. we skipped the queu . perfect 🙂”

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Hoi An: River Lantern Boat Experience with Free 5G eSIM - The short walk and river ride
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hoi An Lantern Boat Rides, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews

Hoi An: River Lantern Boat Experience with Free 5G eSIM

2.River Lantern Boat Experience with Free 5G eSIM

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,819 reviews · 20 min · from $8

Meet at 153 Tran Phu Street near the Japanese Bridge, then walk with staff to the Hoai River for a roughly 15-minute boat ride. Your $8 ticket includes a lantern to release, herbal tea, and a 24-hour eSIM with 8GB of data and 10 minutes of local calls. The river can be crowded, especially during the monthly lantern festival.

“Very nice to explore Hoi An at night on the boat. They had plenty of times to take photos and videos and the guide was very professional”

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Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary and Thu Bon River Boat Trip - The drive from Hoi An and the day’s timing
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, My Son Sanctuary Tours, Tour Reviews

Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary and Thu Bon River Boat Trip

3.My Son Sanctuary and Thu Bon River Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 653 reviews · 5 hours · from $16

Travel from central Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide, spend about two and a half hours among its Champa temples, and watch a traditional dance performance. The five-hour trip includes lunch on morning departures or banh mi in the afternoon, plus a short Thu Bon River boat ride back. Guides include Philip, Ben, Lee, Tu and Vu.

“Totally Enjoyed this Trip. HOI AN FOOD TOUR have this trip well tuned for travellers. Mr Philip our Guide was Brilliant and very Informative. Would Totally Recommend to Everyone.”

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HOI AN Hidden Gems in Rural Villages & River Islands PRIVATE TOUR - Tra Nhieu: A Family’s Straw Mat Craft
Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

HOI AN Hidden Gems in Rural Villages & River Islands PRIVATE TOUR

4.HOI AN Hidden Gems in Rural Villages & River Islands PRIVATE TOUR

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 494 reviews · from $65Top rated

Leave Hoi An with a local English-speaking guide and driver for a private tour through nearby villages. Watch families make rice paper, incense and straw mats, pause for Vietnamese coffee, then take a basket boat ride in the water coconut forest. Guides such as Kha and Trang are often praised for their warmth and clear explanations. Lunch is optional.

“What a great experience! We did so many different things that time really flew by. Vu wasp our guide and Nghe was our driver. They made everything so special. You won't regret it!”

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Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi - My Son: sacred towers, Cham history and a performance
BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, My Son Sanctuary Tours, Tour Reviews

Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi

5.My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $18

Leave Hoi An around 12:30 for My Son Sanctuary, where an English-speaking guide explains Cham history, Hindu temples and local life. After about two hours at the ruins and a traditional Cham performance, drive to the Thu Bồn River for a sunset cruise with your choice of BBQ or banh mi. The entry ticket costs extra, and the BBQ option includes Vietnamese coffee.

“Great tour and boat trip! Our guide, Tao, was exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommended!”

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My Son Sanctuary and cruise trip from Hoi An/ Da Nang - The dance show adds culture, but costs time
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, My Son Sanctuary Tours, Tour Reviews

My Son Sanctuary and cruise trip from Hoi An/ Da Nang

6.My Son Sanctuary and cruise trip from Hoi An/ Da Nang

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · from $19

Spend about five hours visiting My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at 13. The tour includes hotel pickup in central Hoi An or Da Nang, a ChamPa dance show and a cruise on the return to Hoi An. Morning trips include a Vietnamese meal at a local home; afternoon trips include Vietnamese bread.

“A great tour of My Son Sanctuary - our guide Mr Toàn was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the site and the Champa people and has an excellent way or telling their story and explaining things. We learnt so much! Thoroughly recommend.”

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Hoi An/Da Nang: My Son Afternoon tour: Banh my and Cruise - At My Son, temples tell a longer story
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, My Son Sanctuary Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hoi An/Da Nang: My Son Afternoon tour: Banh my and Cruise

7.My Son Afternoon tour: Banh my and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 200 reviews · 5 - 7 hours · from $16

Travel from Da Nang or Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide, watch a Cham dance, and explore the temple ruins. The afternoon includes a Thu Bon River boat ride toward Hoi An and banh mi on board. Groups are limited to 13; the 150,000 VND entrance fee is extra.

“Very good trip with excellent and informative guide, Barry. Lovely to end day with cruise in Hoi An”

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Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River - Lighting your flower lantern
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hoi An Lantern Boat Rides, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews

Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River

8.Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 169 reviews · 20 min · from $8

Meet an English-speaking greeter by the Kazimierz Kwiatkowski bust in Hoi An’s Old Town, walk five minutes to the river, then board a wooden boat for a 15-minute lantern ride. You’ll receive one floating flower lantern to light, make a wish on, and release. No individual guide name is provided.

“Le type du bateau nous a même pas informé de faire un vœux avant la mise à l’eau de notre lanterne… 🙄 Il les a allumées dès le début 🤦‍♀️, manque de charme. Décevant”

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Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise in Hoi An - A welcome drink before the river opens up
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews

Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise in Hoi An

9.Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise in Hoi An

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 108 reviews · from $39

Meet the Cinnamon Cruises crew at the Thu Bon River pier for a two-hour sunset cruise along the Thu Bon and Hoai rivers. You’ll have a private table, a welcome cocktail and snack, dinner featuring seafood, music, and a floating lantern. Staff members named Khoy and Vinh have helped make special occasions memorable, though your crew may vary.

“The crew and the food were wonderful. As the sun set, the river came to life with many small boats festively lighted. A good value and a worthwhile two hours spent.”

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HOI AN Countryside - River Islands - Old Crafts - Local Culture - Kim Bong: a close look at incense-making
Hoi An Countryside Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews

HOI AN Countryside – River Islands – Old Crafts – Local Culture

10.HOI AN Countryside – River Islands – Old Crafts – Local Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · from $60

Ride out from Hoi An with a local English-speaking guide for a half-day of village visits, hands-on crafts, river views and a round basket boat ride. You’ll make rice noodles or crackers, see incense being made, try weaving a sleeping mat and stop for Vietnamese coffee. Guides named by past participants include Chicky (Trung), Carol and Tank.

“We had a great day out with our guides , they were so nice and friendly !! We got to see things we absolutely wouldn’t have been able to if we did it ourself . It was my friends birthday and our beautiful guide carol took us for a delicious Vietnamese coffee as a special treat . Very lovely . Highly recommend.”

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Hoi An: Countryside Villages and River Islands Private Tour - Grind rice and make rice paper on Cam Kim Island
Hoi An Countryside Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hoi An: Countryside Villages and River Islands Private Tour

11.Countryside Villages and River Islands Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $64

Spend four hours, or five with a meal, exploring Hoi An’s countryside with a private English-speaking guide. Make rice paper and incense, weave a reed mat, ride a basket boat and visit Tra Que’s herb gardens. Choose a US Army Jeep or modern car. Guides have included Kha, Lan and Carol.

“Our guide Trang was amazing! So warm and welcoming. Her English was good and she shared a lot of knowledge on the area. Our driver Mr. Tâm was a joy, always smiling and happy, safe driver too. Visiting the local villages was special.”

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HOI AN Biking River Islands, Villages, Local Crafts PRIVATE TOUR - Weaving mats in Duy Vinh
Hoi An Bike Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

HOI AN Biking River Islands, Villages, Local Crafts PRIVATE TOUR

12.HOI AN Biking River Islands, Villages, Local Crafts PRIVATE TOUR

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $45

Ride with a private English-speaking guide from Hoi An to Cam Kim Island and nearby villages. Meet local families making incense, woven mats, rice noodles, and wooden furniture, stop for Vietnamese coffee, then return by ferry. Guides named for this tour include Brian, Ben, Thuy, and Sunny (Nhat), though your assigned guide may differ. A Vietnamese meal is optional.

“Great trip around local villages on quiet tracks taking in the local culture and lovely scenery finishing with a boat trip back to Hoi An.”

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PRIAVATE DaNang CITY TOUR-FOOD TOUR-Sunset BOAT TRIP on Han river - Stone carving at Non Nuoc
City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Food & Drink, Hoi An Food Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

PRIAVATE DaNang CITY TOUR-FOOD TOUR-Sunset BOAT TRIP on Han river

13.PRIAVATE DaNang CITY TOUR-FOOD TOUR-Sunset BOAT TRIP on Han river

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $100

Spend about six hours exploring Da Nang with a private English-speaking guide, hotel pickup from Da Nang or Hoi An, local food, fruit and a one-hour Han River boat trip. Stops include the Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave, My Khe Beach, Linh Ung Pagoda and Han Market. One past guest praised guide Long, but your guide is not guaranteed to be the same.

“We had a great time with Pacific Boat team to visit all most beautiful destinations of the city.Long is a superb guide who is helpful and smart.The place was well worth to visit and very comfortable with group only 8 persons.Highly recommend”

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Hoian/Danang: Eco Cooking Class, Cruise Trip, Basket Boat - Start at the market, not the recipe card
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hoi An Basket Boat Tours, Hoi An Cooking Classes, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Hoian/Danang: Eco Cooking Class, Cruise Trip, Basket Boat

14.Hoian/Danang: Eco Cooking Class, Cruise Trip, Basket Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $27

Join an English-speaking guide and chef for a market visit, a boat transfer to Cam Thanh, and a ride through its water coconut channels in a round basket boat. Then make rice paper and cook fresh spring rolls, beef noodle soup, seafood fried noodles, and banh xeo. Guides named Trang, Tran, Hon, and Hip have led this experience.

“We had an incredible time! It was such a fun day filled with great memories. The tour guide was great!”

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Daytrip to Hue Imperial Palace, Royal King Tomb &Perfume River via Hai Van Pass - The Hai Van Pass makes the drive count
Hai Van Pass Tours, Hoi An River Cruises, Hoi An Tours, Hue Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Daytrip to Hue Imperial Palace, Royal King Tomb &Perfume River via Hai Van Pass

15.Daytrip to Hue Imperial Palace, Royal King Tomb &Perfume River via Hai Van Pass

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · from $140

Leave Hoi An at 7:30 am in a private car with an English-speaking guide and driver. Cross the Hai Van Pass, tour Hue’s Imperial City and Khai Dinh’s tomb, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, eat a local Vietnamese lunch, and take a boat trip on the Perfume River. Guides on past trips have included Le and Mr Nghia.

“Abbiamo avuto una guida personale per 2 persone ed ha risposto ad ogni curiosità, buon pasto compreso e auto personale che visto il lungo tragitto è stato più veloce e comodo di un bus.”

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New in Hoi An River Cruises

★ 4.0Hoi An Sunset Dining CruiseFrom $805 reviews
★ 4.55 Hours Tour with Cruise in My Son Sanctuary Sunset , VietnamFrom $353 reviews
★ 4.5Experience Night Boat Trip and Floating Lantern on Hoai RiverFrom $98 reviews
★ 4.0Da Nang by Night from Hoi An: Seafood dinner, night market and cruise tripFrom $474 reviews
★ 5.0Hoi An Night Food Tour Motorbike & Lantern Cruise by Lady RiderFrom $398 reviews
★ 5.0Hoi An Cooking Class And River CruiseFrom $417 reviews
★ 3.5South Hoi An River Safari With Candle-lit Beach DinnerFrom $1064 reviews
★ 5.0Night Boat Trip and Floating Lantern on Hoai River Hoi AnFrom $85 reviews
★ 4.1My Son Sanctuary & River Boat Tour From Hoi An or Da NangFrom $243 reviews
★ 4.8My Son Sanctuary Morning Tour w Thu Bon River Cruise & LunchFrom $205 reviews
★ 4.7My Son HolyLand Sunset Trip & Cruise From Hoi An or Da nangFrom $226 reviews
★ 5.0My Son Sanctuary & Cruise Small Group from Hoi An /Da NangFrom $243 reviews
★ 4.6My Son Sanctuary Tour with Cham Dance & Thu Bon Boat RideFrom $248 reviews
★ 4.5Lantern Release and Night River Boat Experience in Hoi AnFrom $108 reviews
★ 4.8HoiAn Lantern Cruise Private/Sunset/Sunrise/Lighting LanternFrom $149 reviews

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