Stepping into a tiny, perfectly round bamboo basket boat feels less like a standard river tour and more like climbing into an incredibly unstable, floating walnut shell. The moment the local fisherman pushes the round boat off the muddy bank and you drift into the dense, flooded forest of towering nipa palms, the lively energy of the Ancient Town completely disappears. It feels raw, highly unusual, and deeply immersive without relying on heavy motorized boats or noisy engines.
What makes it interesting is that these incredibly unique, circular boats (thung chai) were originally invented by clever Vietnamese fishermen centuries ago as a brilliant loophole to avoid paying heavy French colonial taxes on traditional, standard-shaped boats. Today, when you sit incredibly close to the waterline, gliding silently through the massive, intertwining green palm fronds, you can actually experience the dense, highly camouflaged aquatic ecosystem where Viet Cong soldiers successfully hid from American troops for years.
One fun fact people love:
Because the basket boat is completely round, it lacks a traditional bow or stern, meaning that if you try to row it normally, it will just spin helplessly in circles. The local fishermen use a highly specialized, rhythmic, figure-eight paddling technique to make the heavy bamboo shell glide perfectly straight.
Where in Hoi An is it?
The Bay Mau Coconut Forest is located in the Cam Thanh village area, situated roughly 5 kilometers east of the main Hoi An Ancient Town, near the mouth of the Thu Bon River.
How to reach:
You absolutely need to take a quick Grab taxi, rent a scooter, or cycle out to the Cam Thanh riverbanks.
Strongly avoid trying to walk there from the Ancient Town, as the unshaded coastal roads are far too long and heavily trafficked by fast-moving tourist buses.
Best time to visit:
February to August, when the river water is calm and the towering palm fronds are vibrantly green.
Best time of day:
Go either:
Early morning around 8:00 AM for a quiet, deeply peaceful paddle through the silent palms.
or
Late afternoon around 3:30 PM to catch the spectacular, golden sunlight reflecting off the calm river water.
Entry fee:
There is a small local entrance fee to the village area (around 30,000 VND), plus the cost of hiring the actual basket boat and driver, which typically ranges from 150,000 to 250,000 VND for a 45-minute ride.
Commute difficulty:
Easy. You need a short, 15-minute vehicle ride from the city, followed by a completely effortless, seated boat ride where the local guide does all the physical paddling.
Things nobody tells you about this place:
- It can turn into a loud, bizarre river disco.
A lot of people expect a silent nature tour. Remember, depending on the route you take, you might encounter massive groups of domestic tourists blasting incredibly loud techno music from massive speakers mounted on their tiny basket boats. Ask your guide for the "quiet route." - The boat spinning trick will make you violently dizzy.
The fishermen love to show off their skills by spinning the round boats incredibly fast on their axis. It is a thrilling, highly photogenic trick, but if you suffer from motion sickness, firmly tell them "no spinning" before you get in. - Combine it with a local crab-catching lesson.
This is the real hack. Don’t just sit passively in the boat. Ask your guide to hand you the tiny bamboo fishing poles; the thick palm roots are absolutely crawling with small purple crabs that are incredibly fun and challenging to catch. - You will get wet.
The boats sit incredibly low in the water, and the vigorous paddling will definitely splash river water onto your pants and shoes. Do not wear expensive leather or long, trailing dresses.