Coconut Basket Boats

The place in a few words

Hoi An isn't just about lanterns and the old town! A few kilometres from the centre, in Cam Thanh's water coconut forest, you can hop aboard unusual round bamboo boats called thúng chai. Originally used by local fishermen, they're now mostly used to take visitors through the coconut palms. It's definitely touristy, but a fun way to spend about an hour, with a few activities along the way.

What we loved

We were a little worried we'd end up surrounded by dozens of boats, but our route was actually pretty quiet, which was lovely. Best of all, our captain really knew how to entertain us! Between crab fishing, little creations made from coconut leaves and our captain's completely improvised dance to Rasputin, we had a good laugh. Special mention goes to the boat spinning at full speed, even if we felt a bit queasy for a few minutes afterwards!

Our tip

Go in the morning or late afternoon, as it can get really hot in the middle of the day. There are plenty of operators and not all trips are the same, so ask what the price includes, especially the duration and activities. If you enjoy cycling, you can also reach the area from Hoi An by riding through the rice fields. It's a lovely little outing in itself!