Hoi An has two moods, and this tour hits both: floating basket boats and then walking the Old Town sights. You start in Cam Thanh Coconut Village for a basket boat ride through the coconut forest, learn how fishermen and their families live day to day, and even join a basket-to-basket race with drum music.

What I like most is the hands-on feel: the boatman creates little items like hats, rings, and glasses from coconut leaves as you go. I also really enjoy the Old Town portion because you don’t just drive past it—you visit key spots like Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old House, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and a local market.

There is one consideration: it runs 2 pm to about 8 pm, so it’s not for early birds. If you hate longer afternoons on your feet (first on boats, then walking), plan to take it slow during the market stop.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

• Basket boat ride in the coconut forest at Cam Thanh, plus a fun basket boat race with drum music
• Coconut leaf crafts made by the boatman during the ride (hats, rings, glasses)
• Hoi An Old Town highlights including Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old House, and the Japanese Covered Bridge
• A local market walk where you can watch everyday life up close
• Dinner included in Hoi An, after sightseeing so you don’t have to hunt when you’re tired
• Pickup and drop-off from Hoi An, with an English guide, bottled water, and life jackets included

Basket Boats and Coconut Leaf Crafts in Cam Thanh

Your afternoon begins at 2:00 pm, with pickup from Hoi An. From there, you head to Cam Thanh Coconut Village, where you’ll trade streets and scooters for water and palm shade.

The core experience here is the basket boat ride around the coconut forest. Instead of being a passive passenger, you’re part of the rhythm of the activity—listening to what the boatman shares about daily life for Vietnamese fishermen and their families, and getting a real sense of how the community uses the waterways. You’re also given life jackets, which keeps things comfortable and reassuring for an activity that’s more active than it looks from shore.

Then comes the part I think most people love: the boatman doesn’t just row. During the trip, he makes little natural ornaments from coconut leaves, including items like hats, rings, and glasses. It’s a small thing, but it adds personality to the ride. You’re not only seeing the forest—you’re seeing how people turn materials from it into everyday objects and souvenirs.

And yes, there’s a basket boat race between the baskets. Expect cheering and that steady drum energy that keeps the mood light. Even if you’re not competitive, it’s a fun break from sightseeing mode. The goal isn’t performance; it’s joining in and enjoying the moment.

Timing matters here: this stop lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes. So you’ll have enough time to take photos, watch how other boats move, and fully feel like you’ve left the city behind—without it dragging forever.

Practical tip: bring a light layer or sun protection. You’ll be outside for much of this segment, and water activities tend to feel cooler only when you’re moving.

Walking Hoi An Old Town After the Forest Ride

Around 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, you switch gears. You walk into Hoi An Ancient Town, one of Southeast Asia’s major trading centers in the 16th century, tied to the period when early western traders were active in the region. That background matters because it explains why the town feels like a patchwork of influences, not just a single architectural style.

This part of the tour is guided and focused. You’ll visit several specific historic stops, then have time to wander through a Hoi An local market where you can see daily life rather than only tourist storefronts.

Here are the highlights you’ll encounter:

• Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall: a key stop for understanding the Chinese community’s presence and influence in Hoi An.
• Tan Ky Old House: one of those places where the building itself tells the story of old merchant life and trade-era wealth.
• Japanese Covered Bridge: you’ll recognize it quickly when you see it, and it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in the area for a reason.
• Hoi An local market: this is your chance to watch people doing normal things—shopping, moving through the stalls, and going about the day.

If you’re the type of traveler who likes structure, this segment works well. It gives you a clear walking route rather than leaving you to guess what’s worth prioritizing first. If you’re the type who likes to wander freely, you still get that option at the market and in the Old Town areas around the main sights.

The Old Town portion is listed at about 3 hours, including the dinner stop afterward. So plan your pacing. You’ll likely want comfy shoes and a water bottle (you’ll get bottled water with the tour).

Practical tip: take breaks when you can. The streets can feel warm in late afternoon, and you’ll have been on the water earlier. If you need to cool off, step into shaded entrances around the assembly hall area or slow down near the bridge.

Dinner in Hoi An: Included and Convenient

After the Old Town sights, the tour includes dinner at a restaurant in Hoi An. The timing is smart: you finish the walking segment and then sit down before heading back.

Dinner is a real value-add here. For many Hoi An tours, food is either not included or becomes the weak link. With this one, at least you’re not stuck deciding where to eat at 6 pm while your legs are tired. You get a short rest after dinner too, before returning to your hotel.

One detail to keep in mind: beverages aren’t included. So if you want a drink with dinner, plan for extra cost. Personal expenses and drinks are listed as not included, so you’ll want a little cash or card ready.

Practical tip: if you have dietary needs, it’s worth checking in ahead of time with the operator. The tour info here confirms dinner is included, but it doesn’t mention dietary options.

Price and Value: Is $42 a Good Deal?

At $42 per person, this tour can be a strong value—mainly because so much is bundled into one afternoon.

Here’s what’s included:

• English guide
• Pickup and drop-off from Hoi An
• Basket boat ride plus life jackets
• All visit tickets
• Dinner
• Bottled water

And what’s not included:

• Personal expenses and drinks
• Any pickup from Da Nang city (an extra $10 per location/hotel is charged if you start outside Hoi An)

When you price it out, the combination is the selling point. Basket boat activities, guides, and dinner alone can add up quickly if you handle them one by one. This tour packages it into a set schedule from 2 pm to about 8 pm, which also helps you avoid the coordination stress of piecing together separate tickets, transportation, and meal plans.

If you’re already staying in Hoi An, the included pickup/drop-off makes the $42 feel even more reasonable. If you’re staying in Da Nang and want pickup, factor in the additional $10 fee so you don’t get surprised.

Timing That Fits Your Da Nang Day

This is an afternoon-to-evening tour, starting at 2:00 pm and ending around 8:00 pm. That timing is useful if:

• you want to sleep in a bit earlier
• you’re done with day activities in Da Nang and want something different
• you’d rather see Hoi An in daylight and then head back before late-night crowds

It also reduces wasted time. You don’t spend the whole day in transit. You get two meaningful parts of the region in one go: water time in the coconut forest, then culture time in the Old Town.

There’s also a natural flow to the day:

1) water and community learning in Cam Thanh

2) walking historic sites and a market in Hoi An

3) dinner and then back to your hotel

Practical tip: plan for photos in both settings. The coconut village offers a different angle and texture than the stone-and-wood Old Town streets.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Not)

This works especially well for you if:

• you want one organized day plan instead of stitching together multiple activities
• you enjoy hands-on experiences like the basket boat ride and the race
• you like Hoi An sights but want a guided route that includes places such as Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Tan Ky Old House
• you value having dinner handled for you

It might be less ideal if:

• you strongly prefer mornings or you’re traveling with someone who struggles with afternoon fatigue
• you don’t like active activities that involve sitting on a boat and participating in a race moment (even if it’s more fun than serious)

No matter what, it’s a solid choice for people who want a balanced snapshot of Hoi An: nature and daily life, plus heritage architecture and markets.

Should You Book This Tour?

If you want a well-rounded Hoi An experience—Cam Thanh coconut forest basket boats plus Hoi An Ancient Town highlights plus dinner—this is an easy yes. The price makes sense because it includes a guide, tickets, boat activity, and your meal, not just sightseeing.

I’d book it if your schedule can handle a 2 pm start and you’re comfortable spending a few hours outdoors and then walking old streets in the late afternoon. If you’re staying in Da Nang city instead of Hoi An, double-check the extra $10 pickup fee per location/hotel so you can compare the real total cost.

FAQ

What time does the tour run?

The tour program runs from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Where does the tour pick up and drop off?

It offers pickup and drop-off from Hoi An. If you need pickup from Da Nang city, there is an extra $10 per location/hotel paid to the tour guide.

How long is the basket boat and coconut village part?

The Cam Thanh Coconut Village stop lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What Hoi An Old Town sights are included?

You’ll visit Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old House, Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Hoi An local market.

Is dinner included?

Yes. You’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Hoi An after the Old Town walking portion.

What’s included in the price?

Included are English guide, basket boat ride, life jackets, all visit tickets, bottled water, dinner, plus pickup and drop-off from Hoi An.

What is not included?

Personal expenses and drinks aren’t included, and beverages at the meal are also not included.