Cam Thanh Coconut Village is the common name and the tourist name for two villages in Cam Thanh commune, Hoi An city: Van Lang village and Thanh Tam village. In recent years, it quickly became a popular attraction thanks to interesting eco-friendly activities and experiences, especially the basket boat ride. The boat tour allows visitors to discover a lush, nearly untouched coconut forest with calm waterways, diverse wildlife, and do fun activities. It’s one of the must do things in Hoi An right now. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company provides all information about Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An Vietnam.
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• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Cam Thanh Coconut Village
– Location/address: Cam Thanh commune, Hoi An city, Vietnam
– Name’s meaning: Cam Thanh means ‘richness and peacefulness’
– How to pronounce:
– Other name(s): Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village, Cam Thanh Eco Water Coconut Village, Hoi An Coconut Village, Hoi An Water Coconut Village, Cam Thanh Fishing Village
– Opening hour(s): sunrise to sunset
– Ticket price: free
– Reason(s) to visit: an authentic farming and fishing in Hoi An, basket boat ride through water coconut forest, cooking class, ecotourism destination
– Best time(s) to visit: early morning or late afternoon when there is no crowds
– Time to spend: 1 to 4 hours
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cam-thanh-coconut-village-hoi-an
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available
– Fact:
Cam Thanh Coconut Village on Map
Where is Cam Thanh Coconut Village Exactly Located?
Cam Thanh Coconut Village is used to call two villages Thanh Tam and Van Lang which lie in the eastern side of Cam Thanh commune, Hoi An. These villages have lots of coconut farms and especially, an immense water coconut forest (Bay Mau Coconut Forest).
On the map, Thanh Tam Village is at the east end of Tran Nhan Tong Street (near the crossroad of Vo Chi Cong Street and Cua Dai Bridge). Meanwhile, Van Lang Fishing Village is on the other side of the river in the north side of Thanh Tam Village. The main road leading to this village has no official name yet. Therefore, finding it is more difficult if do not go with a local. During the day, it’s less busy than Thanh Tam Village.
Before going to ‘Cam Thanh Coconut Village’, visitors should ask people in hotel/restaurant/cooking class or any places where the service is booked that they are in Thanh Tam village or Van Lang village to avoid confusion later.
Best Time to Visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village
In the dry season, from February to the end of August, the best time to visit Cam Thanh coconut village is the morning (before 9:30 am) and the afternoon (after 3:30 pm). During these hours, it’s cooler and more peaceful than midday when the temperature reaches the peak and crowds of tourists flock the village.
In the wet season, from September to January, the best time to visit Cam Thanh coconut village is when it doesn’t rain or there is no flooding. Characteristics of this time of the year in Hoi An are high rainfall and high humidity (because of raining everyday), and high potential of typhoons and flooding (esp from October to December). For safety reasons, the water coconut forest of the village will be closed, and no boats are legally allowed to board. If aiming to avoid the crowds, it’s needed to go in the early morning or late afternoon.
Things to See & Do in Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village
Bay Mau Nipa Palm Forest
In the heart of Cam Thanh coconut village, Bay Mau nipa palm forest (or Bay Mau water coconut forest or shortly Bay Mau coconut forest) is a protection area, a historical site and a tourist attraction. Its name means ‘seven mau’ (mau is a Vietnamese/Chinese traditional unit of area, one mau is 1/15 hectare). Local people mean that this forest is vast.
Bay Mau coconut forest is situated in the estuary of Thu Bon river, featuring lush and healthy nipa palms (locals call water coconuts) growing in a maze of brackish waterways. This gives it the nickname ‘little Mekong delta’. Making full use of its density, difficult accessibility and muddy rivers, Vietcong communists in Hoi An used it as a hiding place or revolutionary base in the Vietnam war. Thanks to a high level of biodiversity, in 2009, it’s designated to be a part of Cu Lao Cham biosphere reserve.
The best way to discover this forest today is by a local bamboo round boat (known as basket boat).
More information in https://hoiandaytrip.com/bay-mau-coconut-forest-hoi-an/
Entrance fee of Bay Mau coconut forest is 30,000 VND for adult and children older than 10. It’s free for smaller kids.
Basket Boat Ride in Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Full detail: Basket Boat Ride in Hoi An
Exploring Bay Mau Water Coconut Forest by a bamboo round boat (aka basket boat) is one of things that visitors love most in Hoi An. It’s definitely an experience that is unique but lots of fun.
According to local people, the basket boat is borned to not pay the tax for fishing boats that was asked by French people when they colonized the region. It’s light, round, and made of bamboo (with a waterproof surface). If have no skills or practices before, it’s not easy to keep a balance while sitting on it.
One basket boat ride often lasts less than 1hr. Two adults and 1 kid can share a boat with a local man who knows where to go, directions and has experience in rowing it. Firstly, he/she will show passengers the palm forests by green, small rivers. In one spot, watch a local man standing in the boat and spin or shake it many times, giving surprises and such a great opportunity to take nice pictures or videos. Within the boat trip, visitors can watch how fisherman catches the fish by fishing net, go crab fishing, or listen to folk songs.
The price of Hoi An basket boat ride fluctuates from 200,000 to 300,000 VND (for 1 boat). It includes the entry fee to the water coconut forest, and excludes tipping. Life vest, conical hat or umbrella, and rain poncho are always available to use on board.
Van Lang Fishing Village
Van Lang Fishing Village is a traditional fishing village in Hoi An, part of Cam Thanh Coconut Village. Nearly all families here live along the river bank (a quay), to be convenient to use the boat to catch fishes. Besides fishing, local residents also row the basket boat to take the visitor into the water coconut forest, or use palm leaf and bamboo stalks to build houses/restaurants. There is a small road leading into this village’s harbour, so big buses can not come here, making it more peaceful than other places in the area. See more information & details
Cooking Class at Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Cam Thanh coconut village is home to cooking schools where visitors can see classes to learn how to make Vietnamese food from local chiefs. Each school has its own food menu and itinerary but in general, cooking class at Cam Thanh village will include pick up/drop off in Hoi An centre, a visit to local market, basket boat ride in palm forest, and hands-on experience in preparing different dishes with the instruction from local people. Usually, visitors will have a chance to make a fried spring roll, banh xeo pancakes, salad,…Some schools use a boat ride to take visitors to their base (in the village), instead of using a car/van/bus.
See also: Basket Boat & Cooking Class Tour in Hoi An
Riding Water Buffalo
In rice fields and swamps near Cam Thanh Coconut Village, lots of water buffalos will be seen. Farmers leave their animals there to eat the grass and in the afternoon, pull them back home. If want, visitors can have an riding one of them and taking some special photos. It’s one of unique experiences in Hoi An. See more information & details
Taboo Bamboo Workshop
At Taboo Bamboo workshop, near the crossroad Vo Chi Cong street vs Tran Nhan Tong street or ticket office, visitors can learn how to make things by bamboo from local artisans. For further information, please contact directly or go to the workshop.
Watching Sunrise/Sunset on Cua Dai Bridge
Cua Dai Bridge is the largest and the tallest bridge in Hoi An. From its top, visitors will see picturesque sceneries. The best view is from the east side of this bridge. Here, it’s possible to observe the estuary of Thu Bon River, Cham islands on the sea, untouched coconut forests, fishing boats, hanging fishing nets above the water surface, and peaceful villages. At sunrise or sunset, it’s even more beautiful and worth seeing. See more information & details
Tips to Visit Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, sun glasses, hat/cap or umbrella, bottles of water, cash. If do not have or remember to bring, shops in Cam Thanh Coconut Village may sell.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket, waterproof shoes or sandal. If do not have or remember to bring, shops in Cam Thanh Coconut Village may sell.
– No dress code regulation is required to visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village.
– Contact reliable local companies to have reasonably-priced transfers and tours.
– It’s better to visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo).
– Scammers are many in Cam Thanh coconut village and along main roads to it from Da Nang or Hoi An. We advise not to use the boat ride or any services from them. The reasons are that they may request for extra fees when the boat tour finishes or they may offer expensive tours. Instead, just go inside the village and ask local families the price (if traveling by yourself).
Guided Tours to Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Here are guided and self-guided tours to Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An:
– Bay Mau Coconut Forest Tour – Hoi An Basket Boat Tour
– Hoi An Coconut Forest Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Coconut Village Tour: Basket Boat & Cooking Class
– Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang – Ancient Town & Coconut Forest
– Marble Mountain & Bay Mau Coconut Forest Tour
– Marble Mountain, Coconut Village & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An City Tour – From Old Town to Countryside
– My Son Sanctuary & Coconut Village Tour from Hoi An
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills & Coconut Village Tour from Hoi An
– Hoi An 3 Village Tour by Electric Car
– Hoi An Countryside Bike Tour – Vegetable to Coconut Village
Places to Visit near Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Near Cam Thanh Coconut Village, visitors can go to these places: Cua Dai Bridge (distance: 500m), Duy Hai Fish Market (distance: 3km), Vinwonders Nam Hoi An Theme Park (distance: 10km), Cua Dai Beach (distance: 3,5km), Tra Que Vegetable Village (distance: 6km), Hoi An Ancient Town (distance: 6km), An Bang Beach (distance: 5,5 km), Tan Thanh Beach (distance: 5 km), Hidden Beach (distance: 4,5 km).
How to Get to Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An
Hoi An to Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Cam Thanh Coconut Village is about 7 km away from Hoi An city centre or Hoi An old town or An Bang beach area. If stay in the areas of Son Phong, Cam Chau and Cam Thanh, the distance is smaller. If stay in the areas of Tan An, Cam Pho, Thanh Ha, and Cam Ha, it’s longer.
If stay in a hotel within Cam Thanh or Cam Chau areas, visitors can use the bicycle to get to the Coconut village. The distance is around 4km, so it takes 20 mins. The easiest way (or the most beautiful way) is Tong Van Suong Street and then Vo Chi Cong Street.
Because the village is quite near the town centre, so visitors also often choose a private transfer to get there. If travel by a car or electric taxi/car or taxi, the drive will be 15-20 mins long. It may be a bit longer if ride the motorcycle or bicycle. Total cost is around 150,000-200,000 VND for one way. Groups larger than 5 people may pay more because it’s needed to use a larger vehicle (like minivan, bus).
Riding the motorcycle to Cam Thanh coconut village is also popular. It’s cheaper for solo travelers and couples. 1-day hire costs 100,000-200,000 VND only (and sure, visitors won’t go to the village only on that day). Gasoline is always excluded. From anywhere in Hoi An, visitors just need to search the quickest way to see Vo Chi Cong street or Tran Nhan Tong street (Dong Khoi street), and then follow it until Cua Dai bridge crossroad (traffic light here). There, it’s easy to see the parking lot of the village with many buses and cars.
The other way is booking a package of transfer and basket boat ride, or a tour with different activities. Visitors can spend a half day or a little bit more.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD organizes guided tours and transfers everyday in Da Nang and Hoi An. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours & make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Da Nang to Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Cam Thanh Coconut Village is 30km south of Da Nang city centre. To get there, visitors can use a transfer by car/minivan or motorcycle or tours.
If book a car, it takes visitors around 30 mins to go to Cam Thanh Coconut Village. It’s quicker if stay in Non Nuoc Beach area.
Because of the short distance, many visitors like riding the motorcycle by themselves, from Da Nang to the village. The drive is 30-45 mins long, and it’s not too difficult. From anywhere in Da Nang city, it’s needed to find the quickest way to the coastal road (Vo Nguyen Giap road or Truong Sa road, depending on your current location). After that, just ride southwards (following the road with a median strip) until seeing the traffic light at Boutique Hoi An Resort. Turn right, go over the bridge and follow the wide road Vo Chi Cong until see the traffic light at the crossroad with Tran Nhan Tong road. The way to go inside the village is to the left. Just park at the family where you use their boat tour. Motorcycles are allowed to enter the village.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD organizes guided tours and transfers everyday in Da Nang and Hoi An. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours & make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Photos, Videos about Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An:
