Cam Thanh Coconut Forest and Hoi An Lantern Evening from Da Nang
- Duration7 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
Spend an afternoon and evening between the waterways and lantern-lit streets of Hoi An on this small-group tour from Da Nang. We pick you up from your hotel after lunch and drive to the Cam Thanh coconut forest, where you glide through palm-fringed channels in a round bamboo basket boat, watch a traditional fishing demonstration and the lively basket boat dance. Next, an English-speaking guide shows you Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the lanterns come on. At dusk you board a wooden boat on the Hoai River and release a floating flower lantern, then enjoy a light dinner of Hoi An specialities. The group is limited to 13 guests, ideal for couples, friends and families.
Highlights
- Basket boat ride through the Cam Thanh water coconut forest
- Traditional fishing demonstration and the basket boat dance show
- Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at golden hour
- Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls and old merchant houses
- Boat ride on the Hoai River among lantern reflections
- Release a floating flower lantern for good luck
- Light dinner of Hoi An specialities
- Small group of up to 13 guests with hotel pickup in Da Nang
Full Description
Cam Thanh Coconut Forest (Bay Mau)
Just east of Hoi An, where the Thu Bon River meets the sea, the Cam Thanh coconut forest is a maze of brackish channels lined with water coconut palms. These low, feathery nipa palms grow in the tidal mud and once sheltered local people and boats; today the community lives from fishing, crabbing and welcoming visitors to its peaceful waterways.
The entrance fee is included, and the visit lasts about an hour. Is the coconut forest worth visiting? For a calm, green contrast to the busy old town, and for a glimpse of village life on the water, it is one of the most enjoyable short trips from Hoi An. The late-afternoon timing on this tour means softer light and cooler air.
Basket boat ride and the basket boat dance
You explore the channels in a thung chai, the round, woven bamboo basket boat typical of central Vietnam, paddled by a local boatman. Along the way, villagers show traditional ways of fishing, such as casting nets and catching crabs among the palm roots, and you can try your hand at it.
The highlight is the basket boat dance: a local boatman spins his round boat at great speed in the middle of the river to the beat of drums and music, a joyful show that children especially love. A spinning ride for guests is optional and paid on the spot; most visitors are happy to watch from the steady comfort of their own boat.
Hoi An Ancient Town
From the 15th to the 19th century, Hoi An was a busy international trading port where Chinese, Japanese, European and Vietnamese merchants met. Its compact old town, listed by UNESCO in 1999, preserves wooden shophouses with yellow walls, Chinese assembly halls, family chapels and the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the early 17th century and recently restored.
Your guide leads you on foot through the narrow lanes, explaining the mix of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture in the old merchant houses and assembly halls. The entrance ticket to the old town is included. If you are asking about the best time to visit Hoi An, late afternoon into evening is the answer: the heat eases, the light turns golden and the lanterns begin to glow.
Hoai River lantern boat and light dinner
As darkness falls, Hoi An becomes a town of silk lanterns reflected in the water. You board a wooden boat for a short ride on the Hoai River, a branch of the Thu Bon that flows past the old town, and release a paper flower lantern with a candle onto the river, a local custom for health, luck and peace for loved ones.
The evening ends at a local restaurant with a light dinner of Hoi An dishes, such as noodles, crispy pancakes and dumplings. Please note it is a light meal rather than a full dinner, and drinks are extra. Traditional recipes may contain pork or shrimp, so tell us about any dietary needs when booking. The vehicle then takes you back to your hotel in Da Nang.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in Da NangWe collect you from your hotel lobby between 13:30 and 14:00; Hoi An hotels between 14:30 and 14:50.
- Drive to Cam ThanhAbout 45 minutes by air-conditioned vehicle to the coconut forest.
- Basket boat ride and fishing demonstrationGlide through the palm channels, watch traditional fishing and the basket boat dance, about one hour.
- Hoi An Ancient TownGuided visit of the lanes, the Japanese Covered Bridge, an assembly hall and an old house, about one and a half hours.
- Hoai River boat and lantern releaseShort wooden boat ride at dusk and release of a flower lantern, about 20 minutes.
- Light dinnerHoi An specialities at a local restaurant, about 45 minutes.
- Return to your hotelDrive back to Da Nang, about seven hours after pickup.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest and Hoi An Ancient Town
- Basket boat ride with a traditional fishing demonstration and the basket boat dance show
- Boat ride on the Hoai River with a flower lantern release
Not included
- Dinner
- Drinks with dinner
- Spinning basket boat experience
- Tips and personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 5–10
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Food lovers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers who cannot step into and out of small boats
Meeting point
We pick you up from your hotel lobby in Da Nang between 13:30 and 14:00, or from hotels in Hoi An between 14:30 and 14:50. The exact time is confirmed the day before, and we send detailed pickup information by WhatsApp on the morning of your tour. At the end of the evening we drop you back at your hotel.
Important information
- The tour includes walking through narrow streets in Hoi An Ancient Town; wear comfortable shoes
- You board small boats twice; take motion-sickness precautions if needed
- The dinner is a light local meal, not a full dinner; drinks are not included
- The spinning basket boat experience is optional and paid on site
- Bring insect repellent for the coconut forest and a light raincoat in the rainy season
- Tell us about dietary needs, such as no pork or vegetarian, when booking
- In heavy rain or high water, the boat parts may be shortened for safety
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private tour?
It is a shared small-group tour limited to 13 guests, with an English-speaking guide.
Can we change the itinerary or the pace?
The order of visits is fixed so the group reaches the river at dusk, but the guide keeps a relaxed pace with photo time at every stop.
How many people are in the group?
A maximum of 13 guests. In the basket boats you sit two per boat with a local boatman.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a lower child rate. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, from hotels in Da Nang, and from Hoi An hotels at a later time.
What is included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking guide, entrance fees to the coconut forest and Hoi An Ancient Town, the basket boat ride with the fishing demonstration and dance show, the Hoai River boat with lantern release, and a light dinner.
How long is the tour?
About seven hours, from early afternoon to the evening.
Is it suitable for children or travellers with reduced mobility?
Children love the basket boats and the lanterns. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, as you step in and out of small boats and walk on uneven lanes.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, a light jacket or raincoat depending on the season, and some cash for drinks and souvenirs.
What is the best season for Hoi An?
February to April is pleasant and dry. May to August is hot, so the late timing helps. October and November can bring floods in the old town; we adapt the programme or advise you in advance.
Can I skip the dinner?
Yes. Choose the option without dinner in the booking panel and eat wherever you like in Hoi An.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and option in the booking panel. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes.
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