Hoi An Basket Boat Guide: Riding a Coconut Boat in the Bay Mau Forest

What is a basket boat?

The basket boat, called thuyền thúng in Vietnamese, is a round boat about 2 metres across, woven from split bamboo and sealed with resin or coconut oil and tar. Fishermen along the central coast have used them for generations to reach their larger boats and to fish close to shore. Because the boat is round, it is paddled with a single oar using a figure-of-eight stroke, and it spins easily.

A popular local story says that fishermen started making round "baskets" during the French colonial era, when boats were taxed but baskets were not. Whether or not it is true, it is a story every boatman will happily tell you.

Where is the Bay Mau coconut forest?

The basket boat tours run in the Bay Mau coconut forest (Rừng dừa Bảy Mẫu) in Cam Thanh village, about 7 km east of Hoi An Ancient Town, or 15–20 minutes by taxi. The "forest" is a large area of water coconut palms (nipa palms) growing in the brackish water where the Thu Bon River meets the sea. Narrow channels wind between the palms, which grow several metres high and give welcome shade.

During the war the dense palms were used as a hiding place, and older villagers still remember those years. Today the forest is a quiet, green escape and one of the most popular activities around Hoi An.

What happens on a basket boat tour?

1. Paddle into the forest. Your local boatman takes you through the palm channels while you sit back under a conical hat.
2. Basket boat spinning show. Boatmen spin their boats at speed to music, sometimes with a passenger on board. It is loud, fun and great on video.
3. Crab catching. Using a simple bamboo line and bait, you try to catch small crabs among the palm roots. Children love it.
4. Fishing net demo. Watch a fisherman throw a circular cast net in one perfect motion, then have a go yourself.
5. Small crafts. Boatmen often fold palm leaves into rings, grasshoppers or flowers as a gift.

The full tour takes about 50–60 minutes.

How much does a Hoi An basket boat ride cost?

Booking direct with us costs 90,000 VND (about US$4) per person, minimum 2 people. That includes the forest entrance fee, a cold drink, life jacket, umbrella, conical hat and a local guide on the boat. You pay cash on arrival.

Need a ride? We offer the tour with a private round-trip car from your Hoi An hotel (about US$12 per person in total) or from Da Nang (about US$18 per person). Cruise passengers can book from Tien Sa Port or Chan May Port.

How to avoid basket boat scams

The coconut forest is popular, and that brings some common problems:

• Driver commissions. Some taxi and Grab drivers are paid to bring passengers to a particular operator, even if you asked for a different one. Book in advance and share your operator's map pin with the driver.
• Hidden extras. Ask what is included before you board. Our price includes entrance, drinks and equipment. The only optional extra is spinning on the expert's boat yourself (100,000 VND per person, paid directly to the government-certified expert).
• Pressure to tip or buy. Tipping your boatman is welcome but never required.

When is the best time to go?

Tours run every day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Early morning (8:00–10:00 AM) is cooler, calmer and best for photos. Late afternoon (3:30–5:30 PM) has soft light and leads nicely into a lantern boat ride in town. Around midday it is hot and the busiest time for tour groups.

The dry season from February to August is the most comfortable. From October to December heavy rain can occasionally pause tours for safety; we will contact you if your day is affected.

What to bring

• Sunscreen and sunglasses (we provide a hat and umbrella)
• A waterproof phone pouch, as splashes happen during the spinning show
• Light clothes that can get a little wet, and sandals
• Cash in Vietnamese dong for drinks, souvenirs or tips