Basket Boat Riding in Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Hoi An

Contrasting with the ancient charm of Hoi An’s old town, you will be amazed by the pristine, lush beauty of the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, located not far away. This is one of Hoi An’s most famous eco-tourism destinations. Here, you can not only explore the vast, verdant coconut forest but also experience the thrill of riding a basket boat, drifting along the waterways of Hoi An.

Introducing the Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Located about 4 km from Hoi An towards Cua Dai Beach, the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, also known as Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, is an eco-tourism destination that will transport you to the waterlands of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

To learn more about the floating markets in the Mekong Delta, visit: Top 8 Floating Markets in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The Bay Mau Coconut Forest has a history of around 200 years. According to local residents, migrants from the southwestern region of Vietnam brought and planted nipa palm here. The trees quickly thrived in the favorable climate, creating a forest that originally spanned around 7 hectares. Thus, it was named the Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Over time, the forest has continued to expand and now covers an area of up to 100 hectares.

Since being developed for tourism, the Bay Mau Coconut Forest has become a popular attraction. The highlight here is the experience of riding a basket boat along the river, with each boat accommodating up to two guests. The basket boats are a familiar mode of transportation for the residents of Cua Dai, Hoi An. Currently, there are more than 1,000 basket boats serving tourists in the forest. Most foreign visitors are fascinated when they first encounter the distinctive round boats of Quang Nam.

The coconut forest here is quite similar to the one in Ben Tre. For more information, visit: Ben Tre, Vietnam: Top 10 Places to Visit

Best Time to Visit the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Hoi An

To have the most ideal visit to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, you can choose from the following three time periods:

• February to June: During this time, the weather in Hoi An is cool and dry, without harsh sunlight, making it perfect for a trip to the waterlands.
• May to July: This period is when Hoi An’s ancient town hosts many fascinating festivals. You can combine your visit to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest with the experience of viewing lanterns. However, the climate can be quite hot and sunny, so keep this in mind.
• August to November: During this time, the weather in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest is cool with minimal rain. Consider visiting during the full moon, coinciding with the beautiful lantern festival.

Activities at the Bay Mau Coconut Forest

1. Basket Boat Sightseeing

Riding a basket boat through the lush green coconut groves and enjoying the fresh air is a unique experience loved by many. The Bay Mau Coconut Forest tourist area offers two types of basket boats: small ones that accommodate 2 guests and larger ones for 4 guests. During your scenic journey, you’ll hear fascinating stories about the coconut forest and in the distance, you may hear the familiar melodies of Quang Nam folk songs.

2. Basket Boat Performances and Boat Races

In addition to sightseeing, you can enjoy impressive basket boat performances and exciting boat races. You’ll be amazed at the performers’ ability to balance on the wobbling basket boats, moving with remarkable speed and agility. The boat races are equally thrilling, so don’t forget to cheer and encourage the racers.

Hoi An also features a very famous show. For more details, visit: Hoi An Memories Show

3. Trying Out Basket Boat Dancing

After watching the basket boat performances, you might want to try this thrilling activity yourself if you’re brave enough. Participating in this requires physical strength and good balance, and it’s not for the faint-hearted or those prone to seasickness. Many who have tried it felt a bit dizzy, with some successfully mastering the boat while others ended up falling out.

4. Fishing with Nets

Fishing with nets is a lively demonstration that many visitors look forward to. You’ll get to witness the skillful and rustic method of net fishing practiced by the local fishermen.

5. Cycling to Explore Cam Thanh Village

After exploring the green coconut forest, consider renting a bicycle and touring Cam Thanh village. This journey allows you to immerse yourself in the beautiful, serene landscape of vast rice fields and breathe in the fresh countryside air with the scent of ripening rice.

6. Enjoying Hoi An Specialties at Local Homes

During your exploration of the coconut forest, don’t hesitate to accept invitations from locals to enjoy a meal. This will give you an authentic experience of their simple lifestyle. You’ll be treated to delicious local specialties such as spring rolls, sweet and sour shrimp salad, banana flower salad, and central Vietnamese pancakes. Alternatively, you can also enjoy these delicacies at restaurants within the Bay Mau Coconut Forest area.

Read more: Hoi An Cooking Class

How to Get to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Hoi An

The Bay Mau Coconut Forest is located at Group 2, Can Nhan hamlet, Cam Thanh commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam. It’s not far from Hoi An’s ancient town, just a 3km drive away.

From Hoi An city, you have two ways to reach the Bay Mau Coconut Forest:

By Water: You can catch a boat at Bach Dang Wharf right in the old town of Hoi An. The boat will take you to the coconut forest along the Thu Bon River.

By Road: Starting from Hoi An city, take Tran Nhan Tong Street, cross the Cua Dai Bridge, and continue for another half kilometer to reach the coconut forest. This route takes about 10 minutes by car.

To learn more about the top attractions in Hoi An, visit: 6 Top Tourist Attractions in Hoi An

If you are starting from Da Nang city, you can choose one of two routes to reach the coconut forest:

Route 1: From Dragon Bridge, drive to Hoi An ancient town via Ngo Quyen – Ngu Hanh Son route. From there, you can continue to the coconut forest using either of the aforementioned methods.

Route 2: Start from Dragon Bridge, drive along Vo Van Kiet Street, then turn right onto Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Continue straight to Lac Long Quan Street, turn onto Tran Nhan Tong Street, and go straight to the base of Cua Dai Bridge. Drive an additional 500 meters to reach the Bay Mau Coconut Forest.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees for the Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Opening Hours (subject to change): 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily

Entrance Fees:

• Entrance ticket: 30,000 VND per person
• Basket boat rental: 150,000 – 200,000 VND per boat

To learn more about the best 4-star hotels in Hoi An, visit: Top 10 Best 4 Star Hotels in Hoi An 2024

What to Prepare for Your Visit to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest

To fully enjoy your trip to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, consider bringing the following items:

• Some dry snacks and water to keep you energized without interrupting your sightseeing.
• A phone or camera to capture the serene and beautiful moments in the coconut forest.
• A hat to protect your head since most activities are outdoors.
• A small umbrella or a conical hat in case of unexpected rain.
• Cash and personal identification for any necessary situations.
• Seasickness medication, as the highlight of the trip is the time spent on the basket boat amidst the lush coconut groves.
• Comfortable clothing such as moisture-wicking T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers or sandals. Avoid wearing overly long clothes or items with long straps.

To learn more about the best restaurants in Hoi An, visit: 14 Best Restaurants in Hoi An Ancient Town

Conclusion

The Bay Mau Coconut Forest is only about 3km from Hoi An ancient town and offers many exciting activities, making it well worth a visit. We hope the information we’ve shared helps you have an enjoyable trip. We offer day tours in Hoi An, which you can explore here: Hoi An & Hue Day Tours