Coconut Basket Boat Ride and Floating Lantern Boat by Night

The best part of this experience is the split between Cam Thanh’s coconut forest by day and Hoi An’s glowing Hoai River at night. You get a playful local activity, then a quiet wish-making ritual, all for $11 per person.

I like the hands-on touches, especially trying crab fishing and rowing a round basket boat. I also like the practical setup: water, a hat, umbrella, life jacket, and one lantern are included. The main catch is timing. These are two separate outings on the same day, and you must arrange the evening boat time after arriving.

Key points

• Two settings in one day: Visit the Cam Thanh coconut forest during daylight, then Hoi An’s Hoai River after dark.
• Hands-on river fun: Try crab fishing, row a basket boat, and watch a fishing net being cast.
• Best quiet-time tip: Choose a start before 9 AM for a calmer river and fewer people.
• Fishing-net cutoff: Net casting finishes after 3:45 PM, so arrive before 3:30 PM to see it.
• Personal evening ritual: Each person receives one floating lantern to release with a wish.
• Good low-cost value: The $11 price includes the two activities and basic equipment, but not transport or the Hoi An UNESCO entrance ticket.

Two Hoi An experiences for the price of one

This is not one continuous 50-minute tour. It is a daytime basket boat ride lasting about 50 minutes, followed by a separate 20-minute lantern boat ride at night.

That distinction matters when you plan your day. The time you choose while booking is for the basket boat. Once you arrive at Làng Dừa Xanh, tell the staff what time you want the evening lantern ride, and they will arrange it. If you prefer to do the two activities on different days, the operator says arrangements can be made in advance.

At $11 per person, the price is appealing. You receive the coconut forest ride, the lantern boat, a welcome bottle of water, safety equipment, and one floating lantern. You still need to cover your own transport, drinks beyond the welcome water, and the 120,000 VND Hoi An UNESCO entrance ticket if it applies to your visit.

I see this as a simple, good-value add-on rather than a full-day cultural tour. It gives you two memorable Hoi An scenes without taking over your schedule.

Finding Làng Dừa Xanh in Cam Thanh

The meeting point is Làng Dừa Xanh Coconut Basket Boat Tour in Cam Thanh. The business sits inside an alley about 100 meters from the main road, so you should not expect a large roadside entrance.

Use Lang Dua Xanh Coconut Basket Boat Tour on Google Maps. On Grab, the name is Green Coconut Village Basket Boat Travel Service. These two names are worth saving before you leave your hotel, since the business name differs slightly between map services.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That keeps the headline price low, but you need to arrange your own ride to Cam Thanh and later make your own way to Hoi An’s old town for the night boat.

English and Vietnamese are spoken. The English support is useful here because you need to coordinate the second activity, not just find the first meeting point. Staff provide a welcome bottle of water, and the boat ride includes a hat, umbrella, and life jacket.

Cam Thanh’s 50-minute coconut forest ride

The first activity takes place on the waterways around Cam Thanh, often called Hoi An’s coconut forest. The setting is peaceful, with narrow river channels and coconut palms close to the water.

Your local boat driver takes you out in a traditional round basket boat. These boats are light, compact, and very different from a normal long riverboat. Their circular shape is part of what makes the ride fun, especially when the driver demonstrates a spin.

The spinning is made for entertainment, and it can be dizzying if you are sensitive to motion. You can enjoy the show from the seat and take photos, rather than trying to copy every movement yourself.

The boat ride also includes demonstrations of casting a fishing net. This is one of the more useful parts of the trip because it shows a working river skill rather than offering only a photo stop. The net-casting activity ends after 3:45 PM, so arrive before 3:30 PM if it is important to you.

For the calmest ride, choose a start before 9 AM. The operator specifically recommends an early departure for fewer people and a quieter river. An afternoon ride can still be enjoyable, but it may feel less peaceful.

Crab fishing and rowing your own basket boat

Crab fishing gives the ride a hands-on turn. You can try catching crabs from the basket boat, and this is a small activity, but it helps the forest feel like a real place rather than a backdrop.

You also get the chance to row a basket boat yourself. The short session is enough to give you a feel for the boat without turning the outing into a serious rowing lesson. Listen closely to the boat driver, since the circular craft handles differently from a standard canoe.

The quality of this part depends partly on your driver’s personality. One boat driver, described as singing around the river and keeping the mood lively, made the experience especially entertaining. Another named staff member, Vu, received particular credit for being helpful. Staff can vary, but the local hosting is clearly an important part of the experience.

You may also be offered a photo taken from the riverbank. A charge of 100,000 VND was reported for this picture. It is not included in the tour, so ask about the price before accepting a printed or arranged photo.

Choosing the right time for the coconut forest

Timing is the most important practical choice you make.

An early start before 9 AM is best if you want the river at its quietest. It also avoids the strongest part of the midday sun, although you should still bring sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes.

An afternoon visit works if your schedule is tight. Just remember the fishing-net demonstration cutoff. Arriving shortly before 3:30 PM gives you a chance to check in and still catch the activity before it ends.

The booking time refers to the basket boat only. Do not assume it is also the time for the lantern ride. You arrange that second time with the staff when you arrive at Làng Dừa Xanh.

This flexible arrangement is useful if you want to spend the afternoon elsewhere in Hoi An. It also means you need to stay organized. Write down the agreed evening time before leaving Cam Thanh.

Hoi An’s 20-minute floating lantern boat

The night activity takes place on the Hoai River in Hoi An’s ancient town. After dark, you board a traditional boat for a short ride along the river, with the illuminated old town nearby.

The main ritual is releasing one floating lantern per person. You make a wish for luck and happiness, then set the lantern on the water. It is a simple custom, but it works best if you treat it as a quiet personal moment rather than just another photo opportunity.

The ride lasts about 20 minutes. That is long enough for the lantern release and a look at Hoi An from the water, but it is not a long sightseeing cruise. If you want a detailed explanation of the town’s buildings or traditions, this experience may feel limited.

The night boat is also more atmospheric than informative. You see Hoi An from a different angle, with the river and lanterns doing most of the work. I would pair it with an evening walk through the old town rather than visit it as a stand-alone night plan.

Add the night market after the river

The lantern ride places you in a useful part of Hoi An for the rest of the evening. Afterward, you can walk through the night market, browse local food and handicraft stalls, and continue through the old town’s lantern-lit streets.

The market and old town are not listed as included tour activities, so plan to explore them independently. That is actually a strength. You are not rushed through a fixed group schedule, and you can decide whether you want a quick walk or several hours of food, shopping, and sightseeing.

The Hoi An UNESCO entrance ticket is not included. The stated price is 120,000 VND per ticket. Keep this extra cost in mind when comparing the $11 tour price with other packages.

What the $11 price really includes

The low price works because the experience is short and transport is separate. Still, the included items add practical value.

You receive:

• A 50-minute coconut basket boat ride
• A 20-minute floating lantern boat ride
• One bottle of water
• A hat and umbrella for the basket boat ride
• A life jacket
• The basket boat entrance ticket
• One floating lantern per person

You do not receive alcoholic drinks, hotel transport, the Hoi An UNESCO entrance ticket, or other personal expenses.

For a budget-conscious visit to Hoi An, I think the package offers solid value. The two activities cover both a rural waterway and the historic town at night. You should not book it expecting a long guided tour, private transportation, or a detailed lecture about local culture.

Private group, but confirm what that means

The experience is described as a private group, which is appealing if you want a more personal outing. The supplied information does not state the maximum number of people in each private group, so ask the operator if group size matters to you.

The host or greeter speaks English and Vietnamese. That is particularly helpful when arranging your lantern boat time and asking about the fishing-net demonstration.

You are not expected to manage the boats alone. The local driver guides the basket boat ride, including the spinning, net casting, crab fishing, and rowing. The lantern boat is also arranged for you at night.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for anyone over 309 pounds, or 140 kilograms. Bring sunscreen and comfortable clothes. The operator provides a hat, umbrella, and life jacket for the daytime ride.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want two easy Hoi An activities at a modest price. It suits you if you like a bit of harmless fun, local boat traditions, and an evening ritual with a clear beginning and end.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants to add Cam Thanh without committing to a long excursion. The 50-minute forest ride is short enough to fit around other plans, while the 20-minute lantern ride can lead naturally into an evening in the old town.

You may want something else if you dislike staged entertainment such as spinning basket boats. The river can also be less peaceful later in the day, and the lantern ride is brief. Those are not flaws for everyone, but they are worth knowing before you book.

Helpful planning advice before you go

Choose an early morning basket boat time if peace and cooler conditions matter most. Choose before 3:30 PM if watching the fishing net is a priority.

Save both map names, and remember that the business is down an alley rather than directly on the main road. Arrange your own transport, and budget for the possible Hoi An entrance fee.

When you arrive, tell the staff your preferred lantern ride time. Keep the evening flexible enough to walk around the night market afterward.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Hoi An plans are still shifting.

Should you book the coconut basket boat and lantern ride?

Book it if you want a short, inexpensive introduction to Hoi An’s waterways with a mix of playful action and evening calm. Crab fishing, net casting, and rowing make the Cam Thanh portion more engaging than a simple boat transfer, while the floating lantern adds a gentle night-time finish.

I would book early morning for the best chance of a quiet river. If your schedule only allows an afternoon visit, arrive before 3:30 PM for the net demonstration and confirm the night boat time before you leave.

Skip it if you want included hotel transport, a long cultural tour, or a substantial river cruise. For most people who understand its compact format, this is a friendly and affordable way to connect Cam Thanh and Hoi An in one day.

FAQ

How long does the full experience take?

The basket boat ride lasts 50 minutes, and the floating lantern boat ride lasts 20 minutes. They take place at different times on the same day, so the total time between activities depends on the schedule you arrange.

Where does the basket boat ride start?

It starts at Làng Dừa Xanh Coconut Basket Boat Tour in Cam Thanh. The business is about 100 meters inside an alley from the main road.

What time should I choose for a quieter ride?

Choose a start before 9 AM if you want fewer people and a more peaceful river experience.

Can I watch the fishing-net demonstration in the afternoon?

Yes, but you should arrive before 3:30 PM. The fishing-net activity ends after 3:45 PM.

When does the floating lantern boat take place?

The lantern boat takes place at night in Hoi An’s ancient town on the Hoai River. You arrange the preferred time with the staff after arriving for the basket boat ride.

Is transport from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to Cam Thanh and between the two activities.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and comfortable clothes. A hat, umbrella, life jacket, and welcome bottle of water are provided for the basket boat ride.