Cam Thanh Coconut Village

Location

Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province — approximately 3 km east of Hoi An's city centre, near the Thu Bon River estuary.

Getting there

• By road – From Tran Phu Street in the Ancient Town, head onto Nguyen Duy Street, then Tran Nhan Tong Street, and continue toward Bay Mau Coconut Forest. By bicycle the ride takes 15–20 minutes along flat riverside lanes; by motorbike or Grab it is around 5–10 minutes.
• By boat – The most scenic option: take a river boat from Bach Dang Pier at Hoi An Market directly to Cam Thanh. Many guesthouses and tour operators arrange combined river trip and basket boat packages.

Opening hours & tickets

• Open daily, approximately 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Village entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person
• Basket boat ride (Bay Mau Coconut Forest): 150,000–180,000 VND per boat (seats 2 people), including a basket boat dance performance and fishing net demonstration
• Kayak / stand-up paddleboard rental: available on-site; prices vary by operator
• Combined tour packages (boat + cooking class + lunch): from around 250,000–350,000 VND

Best time to visit

• January–June – Cool and slightly breezy; ideal for outdoor activities and cycling through the village.
• July–September – Hot summer weather; visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
• October–December – Cool but the rainy season; flooding can affect the area, so check local conditions before visiting.

What to do

Basket boat ride in Bay Mau Coconut Forest

The round woven basket boat — a uniquely Vietnamese craft — is the undisputed highlight of any visit. Skilled local boatmen paddle you through narrow tunnels of nipa palm, then perform the famous spinning basket boat dance: using their hips and a single oar to twirl the coracle in tight circles, a technique originally developed to free the boat from tangled fishing nets. Most sessions include a stop to watch cast-net fishing or pull up crab cages. Tickets are 150,000–180,000 VND per boat for 2 people, in addition to the 30,000 VND village entry fee.

Vietnamese cooking class

After exploring the forest, join a cooking class to learn authentic Hoi An recipes — Quang noodles, crispy bánh xèo pancakes, and fresh seafood dishes made from crabs and fish caught by local fishermen. Classes are hands-on and usually include a shared meal at the end. They also offer a natural way to connect with the local community.

Coconut handicraft workshop

Inside Bay Mau Coconut Forest is a dedicated cultural space for coconut painting and handicraft making. Visitors watch skilled artisans at work, then try their hand at creating coconut-leaf souvenirs, weaving baskets, or painting coconut shells — crafts that families in Cam Thanh have passed down for generations.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding

Outdoor enthusiasts can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and explore the waterways at their own pace. Highlights include paddling at sunrise through the palm canopy, drifting along quieter side channels, and watching herons and kingfishers from the water. Guided kayak tours are also available for those who want local commentary along the way.

Bicycle tour of the village

Cycle the flat lanes connecting the coconut forest to the riverbank and you will pass rice paddies, vegetable gardens, wooden fishing boats, and nipa-thatched houses. This is the quietest and most photogenic way to see Cam Thanh — farmers tend their fields, women harvest crops, and water buffalo wade through the paddies alongside their owners.

Buffalo riding and farming experience

A handful of local operators offer buffalo riding through the countryside — a slow, memorable way to take in the scenery. Alternatively, spend time as a working farmer: wade into the rice paddies, try planting or harvesting, and cast a fishing net into the river. These immersive activities are especially popular with families.

What to eat

Roadside stalls and family restaurants near the village entrance serve fresh coconut water, coconut candy, and local Hoi An specialities at reasonable prices — Quang noodles, fish ball soup, Nam O fish salad, and bánh xèo. Seafood cooked with freshly caught crab and river fish is a particular draw.

Tips

• Arrive in the early morning for the best light in the palm tunnels and to beat tour groups.
• Bring insect repellent — the still canals attract mosquitoes, especially toward dusk.
• Wear sun protection; the open sections of the waterway can be very exposed at midday.
• If arriving independently, negotiate the boat price before boarding — rates are often lower than through a tour agency.
• Combine the visit with Tra Que Vegetable Village (5 km north of Hoi An) or a river trip to Kim Bong Carpentry Village for a full day of authentic local experiences.