Tucked away just a few kilometers southeast of Hoi An Ancient Town, Coconut Village Hoi An – also known as Bay Mau Coconut Forest – is a rustic paradise where nature, culture, and adventure blend seamlessly.
Famous for its unique basket boat rides, tranquil coconut groves, and hands-on activities, this peaceful haven in Cam Thanh Village is where travelers can truly feel the rhythm of rural Vietnamese life.
1. Introduction to Coconut Village Hoi An
1.1 Location
Coconut Village Hoi An is located in Cam Thanh Commune, roughly 5 kilometers from Hoi An Ancient Town and about 30 kilometers from Da Nang. This lush area spans over 100 hectares of water coconut palms – a type of palm that thrives in the brackish waters of Central Vietnam.
Nestled between river and field, Cam Thanh’s coconut paradise is just a short ride from Hoi An.
1.2. What makes Coconut Village Hoi An famous among tourists?
This village is best known for its Bay Mau Coconut Forest, a former hiding spot for revolutionary forces during wartime. Today, it has become a must-visit for its charming basket boat experience, where locals spin tourists in round bamboo boats while singing folk tunes and performing coconut-leaf tricks.
Beyond the entertainment, the village preserves authentic ways of life – from fishing and farming to crafting with coconut leaves. Its warm-hearted residents, vibrant performances, and picturesque waterways make it an unforgettable stop in any Hoi An itinerary.
Basket boats spin joyfully through the lush coconut canals – a signature sight of Cam Thanh.
2. Fun activities in Coconut Village Hoi An
In Coconut Village Hoi An, adventure and culture go hand in hand. The forest of water coconuts (Bay Mau) provides a magical backdrop for elemental journeys: you glide through narrow canals in circular basket boats, watch skilled locals spin boats in rhythmic performances, and step into the quiet world of bamboo craftsmanship at Taboo Bamboo Gallery. With every turn of the boat, every curve of a bamboo lamp, you feel more deeply connected to the riverside life of Cam Thanh.
2.1. Basket boat ride in Bay Mau Coconut Forest
The signature experience in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest is the basket boat ride, where you sit in a circular woven boat paddled by a local boatman. As you drift beneath cascading coconut fronds and over narrow waterways, the pace slows, and scenes of fisher families, water plants, and hidden nooks unfold around you.
Many Hoi An tours include displays of boat spinning – a spectacular skill where the boatman pivots and spins the basket with balance and flair – further enlivening the river’s calm rhythm.
>> Tour Bay Mau Coconut Forest – Hoi An Ancient Town
>> Tour Ngu Hanh Son – Coconut Forest – Hoi An Ancient Town
Glide through emerald canals in a spinning basket – a dance with nature and heritage.
2.2. Enjoy the lively basket dance performance
Midway through your ride, the boatmen may perform a basket dance performance – rotating the circular boats around in place, sometimes even carrying riders while spinning – all with impressive balance and control.
These performances are part of the local entertainment repertoire and enrich your journey through the coconut groves. Many visitors are surprised by how graceful and daring the motions look on water.
Spinning boats, rhythmic laughter – the basket dance brings the forest to life.
2.3. Explore Taboo Bamboo Gallery
After the boat ride, many tours guide take guests to the Taboo Bamboo Workshop / Gallery (Tâboo Bamboo) in Cam Thanh. Here, you step into a realm of crafted wonder: lamps shaped like lotus petals, bamboo bicycles, decorative fish motifs, and more.
Visitors can observe artisans at work or even try hands‑on crafting of souvenirs. The gallery emphasizes sustainable, local bamboo art that aligns beautifully with the coconut forest setting.
In bamboo’s embrace, creativity unfolds – from lanterns to bikes, each piece tells a story.
2.4. Try kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding
Beyond the basket boat, adventurous visitors can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards (SUP) to explore the winding waterways of Cam Thanh Coconut Village more freely. With light paddles, you can gently weave through narrow channels between coconut groves, pause beneath low‑hanging fronds, and observe aquatic life below.
This hands-on experience adds intimacy and pace to the journey, offering a quiet contrast to the more guided boat rides. Many tour operators around Coconut Village include kayaking or SUP as optional extras in eco‑village packages.
2.5. Cycle around Cam Thanh Village
One of the most charming ways to explore Cam Thanh is by bicycle. As you cycle along country paths between rice paddies, small hamlets, and narrow canals, you’ll get glimpses of daily rural life: farmers tending fields, children waving by roadsides, and small temples tucked among greenery.
The terrain is mostly flat, making it accessible even for casual riders. Some tours combine cycling with basket boat rides and cultural stops, creating a fuller, richer experience of Coconut Village.
2.6. Join a Vietnamese cooking class
In Coconut Village and nearby settlement areas, you’ll often find cooking classes led by local families or small restaurants. These classes typically start with a short boat ride or market visit, then move into a kitchen where you’ll learn to prepare signature Hoi An dishes – from fresh spring rolls, bánh xèo, to local coconut‑infused recipes.
It’s not just about food – it’s a cultural exchange, giving you insight into local ingredients, cooking techniques, and the daily rhythms of life in Cam Thanh.
2.7. Learn traditional handicrafts from coconut leaves
Coconut Village is also a living workshop of handicraft traditions. Guides often teach visitors how to fold and weave coconut leaves into small hats, fish, butterflies, or other ornamental shapes.
These workshops are informal, friendly, and bring out the resourcefulness of local artisans. By the end, you might carry home a delicate souvenir you made yourself – a small token of connection to the village’s heritage and environment.
2.8. Try buffalo riding
“Slow your pace – sit atop a buffalo and feel the heartbeat of Vietnam’s countryside.”
For a more unusual and memorable experience, some eco tours in Coconut Village offer water buffalo rides through shallow paddies or muddy paths. Riding a large, gentle buffalo, you’ll follow trails used by farmers, seeing the land from a unique vantage.
Though not every tour includes this, it’s often offered in rural combo tours combining basket boats, cooking, and craft visits. It’s a visceral taste of Vietnam’s agrarian soul.
3. Travel tips for Coconut Village Hoi An
Exploring Coconut Village Hoi An becomes smoother when you know just a few local tips. First, the best time to visit is during the dry season (February to August), when the coconut forest is lush and days are sunnier – rain is more frequent in October–November.
Start your tour early morning (around 6–7 AM) to catch cool light, calm water, and fewer crowds; many basket‑boat activities begin after 7:30 AM.
Getting there is quite easy. From Hoi An center, the coconut village is about 6 km, reachable by taxi, motorbike, or bicycle within 10–15 minutes. You can also approach via roadway: from Tran Nhan Tong Street crossing the Cua Dai Bridge, then turning onto local roads to the site.
Little preparations lead to unforgettable moments in the coconut groves.
Don’t leave without tasting local Cam Thanh specialties. The Hai Lan Coconut Restaurant is a popular spot inside the forest area, combining scenic views with local dishes. You’ll also find fresh seafood & local Vietnamese fare in nearby Cam Thanh eateries.
For staying overnight, Cam Thanh offers various lodging options. Cam Thanh Village Villas is one well-rated choice, offering riverside accommodation and comfort. Also, boutique resorts like Moodhoian are located in Cam Thanh, providing more upscale amenities.
4. Beyond the Groves – Your Next Step with HoaBinh Tourist
Coconut Village Hoi An offers more than a scenic ride through palms – it’s a doorway into local rhythm, craft, and quiet wonder. To make that experience effortless, rely on HoaBinh Tourist’s full‑service tours: from comfy limousine pick‑ups, fluent guides, to carefully designed schedules and insider experiences (crafts, food, paddling).
If you’d like to weave coconut groves into your broader Hoi An journey, check out our Hoi An Signature & Village Tour here and let us shape your day from city alleys to river canals with comfort and care.