REVIEW · HOI AN
Hoi An: Coconut Basket Boat Ride & Hoi An Memories Live Show
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by La Ban Tour · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A basket boat on a coconut channel makes Hoi An feel real. You get the chance to row through Cam Thanh’s coconut forest on a tiny basket vessel, then shift gears for the Hoi An Memories live show with hundreds of performers in Ao Dai. The main thing to watch is timing: the water part and the evening park/show don’t always feel close together, so you’ll want to plan your arrival.
I like that this experience mixes nature with culture in one stretch of your day. I also like the family-friendly setup of a basket boat that can handle two adults plus one child, which is rare in other boat tours. One possible drawback: if you’re booking the full add-on of park and show tickets, you must be clear on when and where to go, or the schedule can feel confusing.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Pay Attention To
- Bay Mau Coconut Forest and Cam Thanh: Why the Basket Boat Feels Special
- How the Basket Boat Ride Works (and What to Expect On the Water)
- Hoi An Memories Land: Theme Park Highlights Before the Big Show
- Entering the Hoi An Memories Live Show (Ao Dai + 500+ Performers)
- Timing and Distance Between the Coconut Forest and the Show
- Price and Value: Is $10 for Up to Two Good Here?
- Who This Is Best For (and Who Should Skip)
- Should You Book This Coconut Basket Boat Ride and Memories Show?
- FAQ
- How long is the experience?
- What days and times does the Hoi An Memories live show run?
- When is the Hoi An Impression Theme Park open?
- What are the coconut forest opening hours?
- Can I bring food and drinks into Hoi An Impression Theme Park?
- Do I need to bring my passport or ID?
- Can I cancel, and is there a pay-later option?
- Is this experience suitable for wheelchair users?
Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

- Bay Mau coconut forest via basket boats: you’ll glide through small channels among coconut trees in a super close-to-the-water setting.
- A special boat performance by locals: the ride isn’t just sightseeing; there’s an on-site moment that adds personality.
- Hoi An Impression Theme Park at set evening hours: this is timed entertainment, not open-all-day wandering.
- Hoi An Memories live show with 500+ performers: the Ao Dai focus plus large outdoor staging is the big draw.
- No outside food beyond small snacks: you’ll plan around what the park allows, even if you’re hungry.
- Transfers matter: the coconut-forest venue and the Memories Land complex may require extra walking/time.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest and Cam Thanh: Why the Basket Boat Feels Special

Cam Thanh Village is often called Hoi An’s green lung, largely because of the sheer number of coconut trees. If you’ve seen the Mekong Delta by boat, you’ll recognize the waterways. What’s different here is the vessel: instead of a broad wooden boat, you’re in a small basket boat that keeps you lower and closer to the action.
You’re not just “looking at nature from a distance.” You’re moving through it, row by row, along tight channels where the coconut landscape feels like part of the route. This is one of those activities where the scenery changes constantly because you’re not traveling in a straight, open-water line.
You can also expect a special boat performance while you’re there, which helps explain why locals live around and work these waters. And if you want a souvenir that doesn’t look mass-produced, there’s often a coconut-leaf craft option during the experience—perfect for bringing home a small piece of the day.
What to bring here matters more than you might think: a hat and sunscreen are the obvious winners, but comfortable clothes are the real comfort ticket. You’ll be outdoors and in direct sun for at least part of the time.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Hoi An
How the Basket Boat Ride Works (and What to Expect On the Water)

The ride centers on getting you through the coconut channels of the Bay Mau area. Your basket boat fits two adults and one child, which makes it easier for families to stay together without splitting up. If you’re traveling as a couple, it’s also a nice scale because you’re not swallowed by a large group.
The experience is designed around gentle navigation through the water’s smaller lanes. That means you’ll be able to look around a lot, not just keep your eyes forward. If you like photos, this is the kind of setting where a camera can stay busy—because the coconut trees and water textures keep changing as you go.
One practical note: this activity includes a watchable moment described as a basket boat special performance. That’s good news if you worry you’ll feel like you’re only sitting and drifting. Still, don’t assume the whole experience runs exactly like a theme-park show. It’s a living area, so timing can be tied to the schedule of the local program.
If you’re sensitive to uncertainty, do what smart travelers do: get your bearings fast. Confirm where you’re supposed to be and when you’re supposed to board. This is one of those parts of Vietnam travel where a few minutes of clarity saves a lot of stress later.
Hoi An Memories Land: Theme Park Highlights Before the Big Show

After the water side of Hoi An, you’ll shift to Hoi An Memories Land, a resort-tourism complex closely tied to the old-town atmosphere. It’s not one building—it’s a set of connected spaces, including the Memories Theater, the Impression Theme Park, and the Memories Resort & Spa.
When you enter the Hoi An Impression Theme Park, the focus isn’t just rides. You’re walking through themed zones that represent the port town’s development over about 400 years, with both historical storytelling and spiritual areas. One of the areas specifically mentioned is the Spirituality Section, featuring pagodas, temples, and shrines.
The park runs Wednesday through Monday from 16:00 to 22:00, with last admission one hour before closing. So this is best treated as an evening plan. If you show up late, you may feel rushed, and rushing is the enemy of theme-park enjoyment.
Two more practical reminders for the park:
- You can’t bring food and drinks inside except for light snacks like biscuits and candies.
- You’ll want to think about timing for the live show that follows the park experience.
Also, there’s mention of decorative shophouses and the Moonlight Bridge as memorable landmarks inside the complex. Even if you’re not there for shopping, those details help you feel like you’re inside the bigger “Hoi An story” rather than just arriving at a theater.
Entering the Hoi An Memories Live Show (Ao Dai + 500+ Performers)

The main event is the Hoi An Memories live show, scheduled Wednesday through Monday from 20:00 to 21:00. This is described as Vietnam’s largest art show and features more than 500 performers.
The show mix is part of the appeal: performers in traditional Ao Dai costumes meet modern staging techniques. That combination matters because it’s not only cultural costuming. It’s also visual design—lighting, movement, and large-scale choreography meant for an outdoor stage.
Plan your arrival like a pro. You’re instructed to enter the venue at least 15 minutes before the show begins, and you won’t be allowed in after the show starts. Seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis using the system, and people who buy the same price tickets at the same time may be seated together. In other words: show up early, even if you think you can squeeze in.
You also need to bring your ID or passport for on-site information verification. This isn’t the kind of tour where you can casually assume your details will be found easily at the door.
And yes, weather can happen. Raincoats are prepared in case of unfavorable conditions, so don’t let a passing cloud scare you off. Just bring a camera and expect the show to carry on even when the sky changes.
Timing and Distance Between the Coconut Forest and the Show

Here’s the practical reality you’ll want to respect: the basket-boat area and the Memories Land complex may feel like separate worlds in the day. One piece of helpful feedback points out that the distance between the basket-boat venue and the show venue can be a hassle, so factor in travel time.
Because the park opens in the late afternoon and the show starts at night, your day naturally stretches. That’s not bad—if you plan it as an evening-centered experience. It is bad if you treat it like a single short stop.
If you don’t already know Hoi An well, do two things:
- Save the Google Maps location details you’ll receive after booking.
- If you’re unsure, contact the operator using the WhatsApp info provided in your e-voucher so you get direct clarity on where to go.
This kind of timing confusion is the most common way a good day turns into a stressful one. Once you iron out the “where at what time” part, the rest is smooth: nature in the late daylight, then the big show under lights.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hoi An
Price and Value: Is $10 for Up to Two Good Here?

The price shown is $10 per group up to 2, and the overall value depends on what you choose to include. Your booking may include optional tickets for the coconut forest, and optional entry into the park and show in an Eco Class format. The included portion also specifies entrance fees and watching the basket boat special performance.
So here’s the honest value math:
- If you want both the basket boat ride and the Memories Land show, bundling tends to make sense. You’re paying for two different styles of entertainment—nature on water plus a major outdoor performance—without having to assemble multiple plans.
- If you only care about the basket boat portion, the optional show/park add-ons might feel like extra cost. In that case, you’d get more value by focusing only on what you’ll actually use.
Also note the experience is a private group, which is meaningful at this price point. You’re not stuck in a crowded scramble with strangers if you can keep the group size small.
At the same time, the show and park are scheduled and have rules (like no outside food beyond small snacks). If you prefer totally spontaneous travel, the fixed show start time may feel limiting. But if you like a clear plan, this structure is a gift.
Who This Is Best For (and Who Should Skip)

This is a great match if you want:
- A family-friendly nature activity, since one basket boat can fit two adults and one child.
- A couple’s evening plan that combines scenery earlier with a big performance at night.
- A one-stop way to experience both Cam Thanh’s coconut-water world and the stage spectacle at Memories Land.
It’s less ideal if:
- You use a wheelchair. The experience is specifically stated as not suitable for wheelchair users.
- You dislike structured timing. The park hours and show start time are fixed, and entry rules are strict.
- You want a fully free-form day with no verification steps. You’ll need ID/passport for on-site verification for the show, and you should enter on time.
If you’re traveling solo, I’d be extra organized. Keep your schedule notes and contact details ready. When timing is strict, a bit of proactive clarity protects your whole evening.
Should You Book This Coconut Basket Boat Ride and Memories Show?

Book it if you want a day in Hoi An that mixes real local scenery with a major nighttime production. The basket boat portion is intimate and photogenic, and the Hoi An Memories show is built for scale—over 500 performers, Ao Dai costumes, and a full outdoor spectacle.
Skip it or simplify your plan if you hate strict timing, don’t want to coordinate park and show hours, or would rather spend your evening wandering the old town without a scheduled theater start. The biggest “make or break” factor here is not the scenery—it’s whether you clearly understand when and where you need to be.
If you do book, go in with two goals: stay on top of the timing between the coconut area and Memories Land, and show up early for the live show so you get the seat situation you want.
FAQ
How long is the experience?
The duration is listed as 1 hour, based on the activity time. The park and live show have separate scheduled time windows.
What days and times does the Hoi An Memories live show run?
The Hoi An Memories show is scheduled Wednesday through Monday from 20:00 to 21:00.
When is the Hoi An Impression Theme Park open?
The Hoi An Impression Theme Park is open Wednesday through Monday from 16:00 to 22:00, with last admission one hour before closing.
What are the coconut forest opening hours?
The coconut forest opening hours are Monday through Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00.
Can I bring food and drinks into Hoi An Impression Theme Park?
No. Guests are not allowed to bring food and drinks except for light snacks like biscuits and candies.
Do I need to bring my passport or ID?
Yes. You’re instructed to bring your ID/passport for personal information verification on-site.
Can I cancel, and is there a pay-later option?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.
Is this experience suitable for wheelchair users?
No, it’s listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.


































