Cam Thanh Coconut Village Guide

The iconic Cam Thanh experience is riding in a thung chai — a round bamboo basket boat that has been used by Vietnamese fishermen for centuries. Local boatmen navigate these improbable vessels through the narrow waterways of the coconut forest with extraordinary skill, paddling, spinning, and even performing tricks that tip the boat to comic angles while you grip the sides. The boats glide through tunnels of overhanging nipa palms, past fishing nets and crab traps, into the quiet heart of the Bay Mau forest. Most trips last 30-45 minutes and include a demonstration of traditional fishing techniques and crab catching. The experience is a unique blend of peaceful nature immersion and entertainingly theatrical boat handling. Book directly with local operators at the waterfront rather than through hotel tours for the best prices.

Bay Mau (Seven Hectares) is a dense forest of nipa palms — water coconut palms that grow in the brackish water where the Thu Bon River meets the sea. The forest creates a labyrinth of green waterways, shaded tunnels, and peaceful channels that feels like a different world from the tourist bustle of Hoi An just 3 km away. During the Vietnam War, this forest served as a hiding place for Viet Cong fighters, and the natural camouflage it provides is immediately apparent once you are inside — the palm canopy blocks sight from above completely. Today, the forest is a protected eco-tourism zone. The best way to experience it is by basket boat, but kayaking is also possible for those who want a more active exploration. The birdlife is excellent, particularly in the early morning.

Cycling through Cam Thanh is one of Hoi An's great under-appreciated pleasures. The narrow lanes wind through coconut groves, past rice paddies reflecting the sky, alongside vegetable gardens and fish ponds, through clusters of traditional Vietnamese farmhouses. The terrain is completely flat and the traffic is minimal — the occasional motorbike and plenty of other cyclists. The route from the Ancient Town to Cam Thanh takes about 15 minutes along a well-marked path, and once in the village the network of lanes invites hours of aimless exploration. Stop at the small local cafes for ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) and watch village life unfold. At harvest time, the rice paddies turn golden and the scenery is extraordinary.

Several operators in Cam Thanh offer hands-on fishing experiences where you learn traditional Vietnamese fishing techniques — casting circular nets from a basket boat, setting crab traps in the waterways, and pulling in lines from the riverbanks. The experience is led by local fishermen whose families have worked these waters for generations. What you catch (usually small crabs, shrimp, and river fish) can sometimes be cooked up at a nearby restaurant. This is a particularly good activity for families and children, combining outdoor activity with cultural learning in a beautiful natural setting.

A few operators run cooking classes that begin with a bicycle ride to Cam Thanh, continue with a basket boat ride through the coconut forest to gather fresh ingredients, and conclude with a hands-on cooking session in a village kitchen. The menu typically includes dishes made with coconut — coconut rice, coconut milk curries, coconut desserts — alongside Hoi An specialties like cao lau and white rose dumplings. The combination of transport, nature, and cooking makes this a full half-day experience and one of the most memorable activities in the Hoi An area.