You have seen the videos on Instagram. A small round boat spinning uncontrollably in a muddy river while a Vietnamese man hangs on for dear life, blasting “Gangnam Style” from a loudspeaker. It looks chaotic. It looks dizzying. And honestly, it looks a little bit crazy.
This is the Hoi An Coconut Basket Boat experience in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Cam Thanh Village).
For many travelers coming to Hoi An, this is top of the bucket list. But for others who are expecting a peaceful, Venice-like glide through nature, this place can be a sensory overload nightmare. Is it a tourist trap? Absolutely. Is it fun? Surprisingly, yes—if you know what you are getting into.
The reality of Cam Thanh is a mix of impressive local skill, beautiful nature, and an aggressive tourism hustle. If you just show up at the village entrance without a plan, you will be swarmed by touts, overcharged for a ticket, and possibly end up on a boat with a rower who demands extra money every 5 minutes.
Here is the unfiltered, street-smart guide to surviving the coconut forest, dodging the scams, and how to combine this madness with a classy night at the Hoi An Memories Show.
The Weird History Behind the Round Shape
Before you step into one of these wobbling baskets, you need to understand what you are trusting with your life. Why on earth would anyone build a round boat? It is aerodynamic nonsense. It is hard to steer. It spins in circles.
The local legend is a classic example of Vietnamese ingenuity (and tax evasion). During the French colonial era, the French taxed everything, including boats. The tax was levied based on the ownership of a “boat.” The local fishermen, being poor and clever, designed these round woven baskets. When the tax collectors came, the fishermen argued, “This is not a boat. This is a giant basket for carrying fish.”
Did it work? Maybe. But the design stuck.
These boats, called Thung Chai, are woven from bamboo and coated with cow dung and tree resin (nowadays waterproof tar/oil) to keep them sealed. They are incredibly buoyant and can navigate shallow waters where huge wooden ships would run aground. Mastering the single-oar paddling technique to make it go straight—instead of spinning in circles—takes years of practice. You are sitting in a piece of history, not just a pool toy.
The Nightmare of Buying Tickets at the Village Entrance
If you ride a motorbike or take a taxi to Cam Thanh Village on your own, get ready for a battle.
As you approach the Cua Dai Bridge or the village entrance, you will see men and women waving frantically at you. They look like official traffic controllers or helpful locals. They are not. They are “Cò” (scalpers/touts).
The Scam: They will flag you down and tell you that you need to buy a ticket here. They might say the official entrance is closed, or that they have a “VIP” private dock. If you follow them, they will lead you to a remote house, charge you double the official price (sometimes 300,000 VND – 500,000 VND per person), and put you on a boat for a shortened ride.
The Solution: Ignore them. Keep driving. Do not make eye contact. The smartest move is to book your Hoi An Basket Boat Ticket online beforehand. You get a fixed price (usually around 100,000 VND – 150,000 VND). You walk past the hustlers, show your QR code, and get on the boat. Peace of mind is priceless.
The Two Faces of the Coconut Forest
The experience in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest is schizophrenic. It has two completely different personalities, and you will experience both within 45 minutes.
Phase 1: The Amazon Vibes
The ride usually starts in the small canals. This part is genuinely beautiful. You are surrounded by Nipa palms (water coconuts) that grow out of the water. The air is cool. It feels like you are in the Mekong Delta or a mini-Amazon. The rower will often stop to weave hats, grasshoppers, or rings out of palm leaves for you. It is cute, peaceful, and photogenic.
Phase 2: The Water Disco
Then, the boat emerges into the wide river, and peace dies. You enter the “performance zone.” Imagine a floating nightclub. Huge speakers are strapped to boats blasting Vinahouse (Vietnamese techno) or K-Pop. This is where the famous “spinning performance” happens. Boatmen spin their baskets at varying speeds to entertain the crowd.
If you hate noise, this will be your hell. If you embrace the absurdity, it is hilarious. You cannot escape it, so you might as well clap along.
The Gangnam Style Spinning Challenge
You have seen it online. A boatman spinning the basket so fast that the water creates a whirlpool. Do you have to do it? No. Will they ask you to do it? Yes.
- The spinning is an optional thrill. If you want to try it, the rower will invite you to move to a performance boat (or spin your own if they are skilled).
- The Sensation: It feels like a high-speed teacup ride at Disney, but without safety rails. The G-force is real.
- The Warning: If you have just eaten a Banh Mi or suffer from motion sickness, do not do this. You will vomit, and it will be embarrassing.
- The Tip: If you agree to be spun, the rower expects a tip. It is hard work. Slip them 20,000 VND or 50,000 VND afterwards.
The Truth About Crab Fishing
Most tours advertise “Crab Fishing” as a highlight. You might imagine casting big nets or pulling up traps full of dinner-sized crabs. Lower your expectations.
The Reality: The rower will hand you a small bamboo stick with a piece of meat tied to a string. You will dangle it near the roots of the palm trees to catch tiny purple crabs (about the size of a coin). It is a game of patience. The crabs are smart. They grab the meat, but as soon as you lift the stick, they let go. It is fun for children and frustrating for adults. You do not keep the crabs; you release them back. It is a little side activity to kill time, not a Discovery Channel expedition.
Sometimes, the rower will demonstrate casting a traditional fishing net. This is mostly for photos. They throw the net, it looks majestic in the sun, you take a picture, and they pull it up empty. It is a cultural demonstration, not a hunting trip.
Avoiding the Midday Heatstroke
This is the biggest mistake tourists make. The coconut basket boats are open. There is no roof. There is no AC. Vietnam is hot.
If you go at 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM, you are sitting in a bamboo frying pan. The sun reflects off the water and hits you from both sides. The 45-minute ride will feel like 4 hours. You will be sweaty, miserable, and sunburnt.
The Golden Hours
- Morning (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM): The air is fresh, it is quiet, and the loud karaoke boats haven’t started yet. This is for nature lovers.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM – 5:30 PM): This is the “golden hour” for photography. The light is soft, the heat is manageable, and the sunset over the river is stunning.
The Unspoken Tipping Culture
This is awkward for many Western travelers, but you need to know it. The ticket price you pay online or at the gate mostly goes to the tour company and the government tax. The rowers—often older local men and women—get a very small cut of that (sometimes only 30,000 VND per trip).
They rely on tips. Towards the end of the ride, or after they make you a grasshopper ring, there will be a moment of silence where they look at you and smile.
- Is it mandatory? Technically no.
- Is it expected? Yes.
- How much? 50,000 VND (about $2) per boat is a standard, generous tip. If they were amazing, gave you extra time, or took great photos for you, 100,000 VND will make their day.
If you don’t tip, they won’t yell at you, but the goodbye will be very cold. Treat it as part of the cost of the experience.
The Perfect 12 Hour Itinerary From Mud to Magic
Here is the secret. You do not just go to the Coconut Forest and then go home. That is a waste of a trip. The forest is located just outside Hoi An Ancient Town, and it fits perfectly into a full-day itinerary that ends with the most spectacular show in Vietnam.
You have two ways to execute this plan:
Option A The DIY Adventurer (For Freedom)
Most people get this wrong. They do the coconut basket boat in the morning, get tired, and go back to the hotel for a nap. Do not be like them. Here is how you structure the perfect day on your own:
- Part 1: The Afternoon Adrenaline (3:00 PM)
Head to Cam Thanh for the Coconut Basket Boat. The sun is lowering, the vibe is lively. Do the spinning. Scream a little. Get messy. Remember to book your ticket online to skip the scammers at the village entrance.
- Part 2: The Ancient Town Sunset (5:30 PM)
Take a Grab or ride your bike 5km back to Hoi An Ancient Town. The lanterns are turning on. The river is glowing. You will need an entrance ticket to access the heritage sites, the Japanese Bridge, and the old assembly halls. Don’t skip this; the ticket money supports the preservation of the town.
- Part 3: The Grand Finale (8:00 PM)
This is the highlight. Head to the Hoi An Memories Land (located on an island just across the river) for the Hoi An Memories Show. It features 500 actors and tells the 400-year history of the port. It transforms your day from “fun” to “unforgettable.”
Option B The Hassle Free Route (For Relaxation)
Look, coordinating Grab rides, negotiating tickets, and finding your way from the mud to the town can be a headache. If you are on vacation to relax—or if you are traveling with kids/parents—do not make it hard on yourself.
Book a Hoi An City & Basket Boat Tour. This combo solves all the logistics. A van picks you up from your hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An. The guide handles the boat tickets (so no scams). You get to ride the coconut basket boat, then they take you straight to the Ancient Town for a guided walking tour and dinner. You just show up and enjoy.
Combining the Coconut Basket Boat with a Cooking Class
If you want to skip the big show and prefer to get your hands dirty with food, combining the boat ride with a cooking class is the alternative move. Since Cam Thanh is an eco-village, it is also the headquarters for Hoi An’s famous cooking schools.
How it works
- You go to the local market with a chef to buy ingredients.
- You take a boat ride from the market to the village (or take the coconut basket boat ride first).
- You learn to cook Banh Xeo (pancakes) and Spring Rolls in an open-air bamboo hut.
- You eat what you cook.
This turns a quick tourist stop into a half-day cultural immersion.
Getting to Cam Thanh Without Getting Lost
Cam Thanh is about 5-7km from Hoi An Ancient Town. It is an easy commute, but you have options.
The Bicycle (The Sweat Option)
Many hotels offer free bicycles. The ride takes about 30-40 minutes. The road goes through rice paddies and is very scenic.
- Warning: In summer, this is exhausting. Also, the traffic on Cua Dai road can be fast.
The Grab/Taxi (The Easy Option)
A Grab car costs about 80,000 VND – 100,000 VND one way. It is cheap and has AC. Just make sure you enter the exact address of your boat operator so the driver doesn’t drop you at his cousin’s shop to get a commission.
The Private Car (The Comfort Option)
If you are coming from Da Nang (which is 30km away), do not take a taxi. It will cost a fortune. Book a private car charter. The driver will wait for you while you do the boat ride, take you to the Ancient Town for dinner, and drive you back to Da Nang after the Memories Show.
The Motorbike (The Fun Option)
Renting a motorbike gives you total freedom. You can stop at the rice fields for photos. Parking at the coconut basket boat sites is usually free or very cheap (5,000 VND).
Final Verdict Is It Worth the Hype?
The Hoi An Coconut Basket Boat is cheesy. It is loud. It is crowded. But it is also incredibly fun.
There is something joyful about seeing a 60-year-old Vietnamese lady paddling a giant basket while laughing at a tourist trying to fish for crabs. It is a unique slice of local life that has adapted to tourism in a weird, wonderful way.
If you are looking for silence and meditation, skip it. But if you are willing to embrace the chaos, spin until you are dizzy, and cap the night off with the spectacular Hoi An Memories Show, it will be the best day of your trip.
Just remember: Book online, avoid the touts, and hold on tight.
