Spin through the palms of Cam Thanh
Five kilometres from the Old Town, the water-coconut palms of Cam Thanh village line a maze of small waterways. Local fishermen paddle visitors through them in round bamboo basket boats, spin them like teacups and show how they once fished. It is the most-booked experience in Hoi An.
A quick ride, a longer trip, or a ride combined with a cooking class.
The most-booked experience in Hoi An: a ride in a round bamboo basket boat through the water-coconut palms of Cam Thanh, with the famous spinning show by the boatmen and a go at crab fishing. Short, cheap and genuinely fun, and easy to combine with a morning in the Old Town.
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A longer basket-boat trip from a well-reviewed local family operator in the coconut forest, with time for the spinning boats, crab fishing and photos among the palms. Good if you want more than a quick 30-minute loop.
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Shop for herbs and vegetables at a local market, ride a basket boat through the coconut forest and then cook three or four classic dishes such as fresh spring rolls and banh xeo. One of the best-value experiences in Vietnam; choose the shorter or the full version when booking.
Check availabilityThey are the same place. The coconut forest is in Cam Thanh commune, and the best-known part is called Bay Mau. Hundreds of basket boats operate here, from family-run outfits to large tour operators.
The round boats, called thung chai, were invented to avoid a colonial tax on boats, the story goes: a basket was not a boat. Today they are mostly for visitors, but you will still see fishermen using them on the coast.
In Cam Thanh village, about 5 km east of the Old Town towards An Bang beach.
Booked online, rides start from about $4 per person including the spinning show.
The ride itself is 30 to 50 minutes; tours with pickup take one to two hours.
Yes. Life jackets are provided and children usually love the spinning.
Yes, several classes in Cam Thanh include a basket boat ride, which is the most popular half-day combination.
