What a basket boat ride involves
A basket boat is a small round boat. In Cam Thanh, rides go through the water palm canals of the Bay Mau forest, southeast of Hoi An old town. One operator lists paddling, demonstrations and an introduction to traditional fishing as part of its offer.
The prices below are published offers from two operators, both for a minimum of two people. They are not a guarantee for your date, and neither is a price for the whole boat unless the operator says so. Confirm the total before you pay.
Basket boat prices compared
Two operators with similar names and different terms.
| Operator | Price per person | Included | Duration | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoi An Basket Boat | USD 5 | Entry fee, one cold drink | About 55 minutes | Minimum 2 people, pay at the end of the ride |
| Second operator, similar name | VND 90,000 | Entry fee, life jacket | – | Minimum 2 people, open daily 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, walk-ins possible, booking recommended |
The two operators run separate websites with nearly the same name. Do not mix up their contact details or terms. A driver guide from August 2026 gives different opening hours for the attraction, either 7:30 am to 6:30 pm or 8:00 am to 5:00 pm depending on the season, so plan to arrive well before 5:00 pm.
Our picks: basket boat tours
Two boat trips and a combination with a market visit and cooking class.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Market visit, cooking class and basket boat
An English-speaking guide, coconut forest entry, water and food are included. There are three options, and personal spending and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Basket boat ride through the coconut forest
Water, entry, a hat, an umbrella and a life jacket are included, with 50 minutes in the coconut forest. Hotel transfer depends on the option, and alcohol and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Basket boat trip with crab catching and a boat show
Entry, basket paddling, crab catching and fishing, a basket boat show, karaoke and water are included. Filming from the boat costs an extra fee.
Check availability →Basket boat rides and Hoi An tours
Rides in the coconut forest, combined cooking classes and bike tours around Hoi An, with live prices and availability.
The entry fee
Da Nang city council decision 94/2026/NQ-HDND sets the forest visiting fee at VND 30,000 per person and visit. It applies from August 10, 2026, and a council notice of September 14, 2026 confirms the amount. It is a fee for the forest, and the boat ride is a separate service.
The published text exempts children under 16 and some groups of Vietnamese citizens, such as people aged 60 and over. A driver guide still mentions a VND 15,000 rate for children about 1 to 1.3 m (3.3 to 4.3 ft) tall, so ask your operator how it handles children. An exemption from the fee does not make the boat seat free. Since June 1, 2026 two extra ticket counters operate to spread out visitors and stop entry without a ticket.
Demonstrations, music and noise
The ride is not always a quiet one.
Spinning shows
Some rides include a demonstration in which the boat is spun. Whether yours does depends on the operator. A cycling operator that includes a boat ride states that spinning is not required and that you can tell the guide. Ask before you board, and confirm the total if extras are offered.
Music on the water
A karaoke ban on the river was reported in November 2023. A 2025 report describes designated music areas and continuing complaints about noise, so the forest is not guaranteed to be calm. Ask your operator which pier and route are quieter.
Quieter canals planned
In April 2026 Hoi An Dong ward surveyed quieter canals and routes as an addition to the lively activities already on offer. Check with your operator whether any are open to visitors.
Life jackets
One operator says it provides life jackets and that you must wear them. This is that operator's safety condition, so ask whether yours has the same rule.
Weather and the best time of year
These are long-term averages for Da Nang from 1991 to 2020, the nearest reference station, not a forecast for Cam Thanh. February to April has less rain than the months that follow and cooler days than summer. October averages the most rain of the year. One operator cancels or moves rides in heavy rain, strong wind or dangerous conditions and offers a refund or a new date, so do not count on a ride in autumn.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 79°F (26°C) | 69°F (20°C) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| April | 88°F (31°C) | 75°F (24°C) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| June | 95°F (35°C) | 79°F (26°C) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| August | 93°F (34°C) | 78°F (26°C) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| October | 85°F (30°C) | 75°F (24°C) | 658 mm (26 in) |
| December | 78°F (25°C) | 69°F (20°C) | 272 mm (10.7 in) |
For more on seasons in the area, see the Hoi An weather guide.
Getting there and which pier
The forest has several piers, not one entrance, so go to the one on your booking. A driver guide gives 4 to 5 km (2.5 to 3 mi) from the old town, or 10 to 15 minutes by car. One operator places its pier about 7 km (4.5 mi) away, or 20 to 25 minutes by bike or motorbike. Grab lists Hoi An as a service area, but that does not promise a car at a given pier or a ride back. Check the fare in the app and arrange the return in advance.
You can also come by bicycle. Our bike tour guide covers rides that include a boat trip in Cam Thanh, and the Cam Thanh overview explains the area. If you want to combine the boat with a meal, read about the cooking classes. The old town itself is covered in the Hoi An old town guide, and for other trips see the Hoi An tours overview.
Basket boat Hoi An: frequently asked questions
How much is a basket boat ride in Cam Thanh?
One operator lists USD 5 per person for about 55 minutes, including entry and a cold drink. Another lists VND 90,000 per person, including entry and a life jacket. Both ask for at least 2 people, and prices can change.
Is the entry fee included?
In both offers above, yes. If you buy entry separately, it is VND 30,000 per person and visit in 2026. Ask before you pay so that you do not pay twice.
Can I go alone?
Both listed offers have a minimum of 2 people. Ask the operator what a single rider pays.
Do I have to watch the spinning show?
One cycling operator says it is not required and you can tell the guide. Other operators may handle it differently, so ask before you board.
What if it rains?
One operator cancels or moves rides in heavy rain, strong wind or dangerous conditions, with a refund or an alternative date. October is the wettest month on average, so keep your plan flexible.
Where do I meet the boat?
At the pier on your booking. The forest has several piers, and distances from the old town range from 4 to 7 km (2.5 to 4.5 mi) depending on the operator.