Lantern making and bamboo boats beat the usual sightseeing. Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An mixes coconut-forest boat time with lantern making, so it feels like a real morning with locals, not just photos. The tour runs about 4 hours and includes pickup, lunch, and the activities that make this area famous.

I really like the hands-on side—paddling a bamboo basket boat, then trying fishing methods with local fishermen. I also found the round net and cast net practice plus the chance to catch crabs and do coconut mussels activities a great way to understand how this place works day to day, even if you’re not a fisherman.

One consideration: during the boat ride, you may notice rubbish along the river bank, and the route may not include the inlets you’re hoping to see. That doesn’t ruin the day, but it’s good to know so you can set expectations.

Key highlights worth your time

• Lantern making workshop that turns the afternoon into something you can take home
• Bamboo basket boat paddling that’s more active than a typical sightseeing cruise
• Fishing practice with round net and cast net instruction from local fishermen
• Crab-catching and coconut mussels activities for a true hands-on feel
• Small group size (maximum 15) that keeps the pace friendly
• Included lunch at the fishermen’s house after the water time

Cam Thanh Coconut Village: the “water life” side of Hoi An

Hoi An gets most of the attention for old streets and lanterns. Cam Thanh Coconut Village gives you the other half of the story: how people live and work around water and coconut waterways. It’s a working fishing area where the environment isn’t just scenery—it shapes the day.

What I like about this tour is that it doesn’t treat the village as a museum. You start with meeting local fishermen and watching daily life, then you move into activities that explain the rhythms of the river: paddling, casting nets, and catching crabs. If you like learning by doing, this is the kind of outing that rewards your effort.

And because it’s only about 4 hours, you get a strong dose of “different Hoi An” without sacrificing your whole day.

Price and what $35 really covers

At $35 per person, this tour sits in a mid-range price zone for Hoi An activities. The key is that your money isn’t only buying a boat ride.

Here’s what’s included:

• Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transportation
• Entrance fee
• English-speaking guide
• Mineral water
• Lunch
• Lantern making
• Hands-on fishing time, including catching crabs and coconut mussels activities

That matters because many local tours in this price range charge you extra for the workshop or the main meal. Here, lunch and lantern making are part of the package. You’re paying for time with a guide, the boat transfers, and the structured activities—so you can plan your day without constant add-ons.

The not-included items are also straightforward:

• Tips for guide and driver (so budget for that if you want to be generous)
• Personal expenses
• Holiday surcharge of $5 per pax on New Year and major holidays

If you want a full morning program with food and a craft, this price looks reasonable.

Morning logistics: pickup, timing, and how the day flows

The tour starts in the morning. Your meeting point shows a start time of 8:00 am, and the itinerary lists pickup around 9:00. Don’t stress about the mismatch—what matters is the confirmation you receive at booking, since that’s what will tell you the exact pickup time from your hotel lobby.

You’ll ride by AC transport, with transfers to Cam Thanh. Depending on the plan that day, you may move to the village by car or boat. The morning format is designed to keep you moving: village arrival, boat time, fishing practice, lunch, then lantern making before heading back.

One nice detail is the group limit: maximum 15 travelers. That’s small enough for questions and quick coaching, especially when you’re learning the basket boat paddling and net-fishing basics. It also helps keep the workshop more relaxed than you’d get in a huge tour.

Bring a “morning-out” mindset. This isn’t a long, slow nature walk. It’s a short program with hands-on stations.

The bamboo basket boat: paddling through coconut waterways

The center of the experience is the bamboo basket boat ride through the Cam Thanh water coconut forest. You’ll get a brief introduction to the history there, then you’ll actually take a bamboo basket boat ride instead of watching from the sidelines.

The practical benefit of doing this by basket boat is that it changes your relationship to the water. You’re not just looking; you’re helping move the boat. The tour also includes time learning to paddle this unique Vietnamese craft, so you leave feeling like you did something specific, not just participated.

You’ll also learn about the waterways in a way that connects to the past—these routes were used during wartime, and now they’re peaceful. That contrast is part of why the place feels more meaningful than a standard scenic channel.

Two things to keep in mind:

• You might notice trash along the river bank as you go. One review flagged this directly, and it’s worth acknowledging so you’re not blindsided.
• Some routes may not go into as many inlets as you imagine. Another review noted they didn’t go down inlets as hoped, so manage expectations: the ride is guided and controlled.

If you’re the type who wants pure postcard perfection, you may find the river a little rough around the edges. If you like authentic working waterways, the experience still delivers.

Learning fishing with round nets, cast nets, and local rhythm

After the boat ride, you join local fishermen on the river for hands-on fishing time. You’ll try round net and cast net fishing methods, with guidance from your English-speaking guide and the fishermen doing the real work.

This portion is valuable because it’s not just “watch and clap.” You get instruction tied to what’s happening in the water right then. Even if you’ve never used a net before, the structured practice helps you understand how people fish here—not just what fish might be caught.

Then comes the most active part: you’ll go catch crabs, plus there are coconut mussels activities. These add a fun edge to the day, but they also broaden the story of coastal and river life. This is still about daily livelihood, not a staged performance.

A balanced way to approach this: you don’t need to be athletic, but you should be comfortable with a hands-on morning on the river. You’ll be moving between activities, leaning into instructions, and spending time outdoors.

Return to the fishermen’s house: welcome drink and lunch

Once the water time wraps up, you head back to the fishermen’s house for a welcome drink and lunch. This is one of those underrated parts of tours like this: it gives you a break and a chance to reset before the lantern workshop.

Lunch being included is a big deal for value. It also keeps the day compact. Instead of hunting for food in Hoi An later, you eat right where the story of the morning was happening.

Because the tour includes mineral water and keeps things organized, it’s easier to pace yourself. You’re not stuck figuring out timing, transport, and meal plans while other people are already on activity number two.

Lantern making: the workshop that people remember

The lantern making portion is the most praised part of this experience. One review specifically called it out as the highlight, and that makes sense. After all the action on the water, lantern making gives you something quieter and more personal—something you can hold, show, and take home.

Even if you’ve done craft workshops before, this one fits the setting. You’re not making a lantern in a classroom far from where lantern culture belongs. You’re doing it after learning about Cam Thanh’s life around water and fishing, which gives the workshop more meaning than a standalone souvenir stop.

Expect it to be a structured part of the tour (it’s included), with an emphasis on doing it rather than just watching. If you want your trip to end with a tangible memory, this is the part to look forward to.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want to skip it)

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want a hands-on morning instead of only taking photos
• Like activities with local fishermen and practical skills like fishing techniques
• Value having lunch and lantern making included in one package
• Prefer smaller groups (up to 15)

It may not fit perfectly if you:

• Expect a super clean, resort-style waterway with no sign of waste
• Want lots of “inlet exploring” beyond the planned route
• Are looking for a long, slow nature experience rather than a fast-paced 4-hour program

The good news: the tour is only about 4 hours, so even if you find one segment less ideal, you still get the rest—basket boat time, fishing practice, lunch, and the lantern workshop.

Should you book Cam Thanh Coconut Village & Lantern Making?

I’d book this tour if you want an authentic, active morning in Hoi An that doesn’t just focus on the city’s famous old-town sights. The combo of bamboo basket boat paddling, fishing practice with round and cast nets, crab-catching, lunch, and lantern making is exactly the kind of value-packed schedule that works well when you have limited time.

I’d think twice only if you’re very sensitive about environmental conditions. The river bank can show rubbish, and the boat route may not match the inlets you picture. If you can handle that reality and still want the hands-on experience, you’ll likely come away happy—especially because the lantern workshop tends to be the moment that sticks.

FAQ

How long is the Cam Thanh Coconut Village eco tour?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

What is the price per person?

It costs $35.00 per person.

Do you get hotel pickup?

Yes. A local guide picks you up at your hotel lobby and transfers you to Cam Thanh.

What’s included in the tour?

Transportation with AC, lunch, entrance fee, an English-speaking guide, mineral water, catch crabs and coconut mussels activities, and lantern making are included.

Is there a maximum group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

What extra costs might come up?

Tips for the guide and driver are not included. A holiday surcharge may apply during New Year or major holidays at $5 per pax, and personal expenses are not included.