Thu Bon River Cruise – Best Things to Do in Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An lies on the left bank of the Thu Bon River, the longest river in the area. From its Old Town, visitors can get a boat cruise to go along this river to see/photograph the scenery, watch sunset or reach traditional handicraft villages. From My Son Sanctuary back to Hoi An, a boat trip is also seen in tour itineraries too. Now, let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company provide all the information about the Thu Bon river cruise.

You may also like: Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River in Hoi An

• 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 Thu Bon River (Vietnam)

– Location: Quang Nam province, central Vietnam

– Vietnamese name: Song Thu Bon

– Other name(s): Hoi An River, Sai Thi Giang (meaning ‘Wood Market River’)

– Length: 205 km

– Source: the Annamite Range (Ngoc Linh peak, 2,598m above sea level)

– Estuary: Cua Dai, Hoi An city, Vietnam

– Basin size: 10,350 hectares (Vu Gia-Thu Bon River)

– Island(s): Con Noi Island (Dien Ban town), Cam Kim Island (Hoi An), An Hoi Island (Hoi An), Cam Nam Island (Hoi An), Con Hen or Clam Island (Hoi An)

– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/thu-bon-river-hoi-an-vietnam

– Activities: boat trips

– Fact: Hoai River running through Hoi An Old Town is a branch of Thu Bon River

Thu Bon River (Hoi An) on Map

Types of Traditional Boat in Hoi An

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An played its role as an important international trading port. One of the reasons is its geographical location. This town lies on the bank of a large river, near the confluence of it and three other rivers, and not far from the sea. So, there are many types of boats in Hoi An today, each suitable for each condition.

In Hoi An, visitors can see these types of boat:

– Boat cruise: medium-sized wooden boat, used to carry people (15 people maximum) as boat ferry or goods on the river, seen near Hoi An Central Market.

– Sampan: relatively flat-bottomed wooden boat, used to carry people (5-6 adults maximum) or goods on small rivers, seen on Hoai River within Hoi An’s Old Town.

– Basket boat (round boat): relatively small boat, made of bamboo, used to carry people (3-4 people maximum) or goods on small rivers, seen in Cam Thanh Coconut Village or fishing villages along middle Vietnam coastlines.

– Ghe bau: a type of local trading boat which merchants use to carry goods on the river or the sea, specially crafted by carpenters at Kim Bong Carpentry Village, not seen nowadays anymore but restored model at Museum of Trade Ceramics or Japanese Culture Gallery

– Fishing boats: traditionally made by wood, used to catch in the sea, seen in Van Lang Fishing Village, Duy Hai Fish Market or other fishing villages along the coastline.

Boat Stations in Hoi An Old Town Vietnam

The main boat station of Hoi An is Bach Dang street/quay. It’s in the Hoi An Old Town world heritage site area. Most boats dock along the riverfront between Le Loi crossroad and the Hoi An Central Market. Almost all boat trips on the Thu Bon River (or from Hoi An Old Town) depart here.

To get to Bach Dang street/quay, from somewhere in the Hoi An Old Town, visitors can walk, cycle or get a trishaw ride. In non-walking street hours (before 9 am, 11:30 am to 3 pm), it’s possible to ride a motorcycle to this place. From other parts of Hoi An, visitors can walk, cycle, take a taxi/car/electric car/hotel shuttle bus, or ride the motorcycle. The best transport depends on distance, time (walking street hours or non-walking street hours), number of people, and budget. The nearest parking is the entrance of the Hoi An Central Market. From here, visitors follow Tran Quy Cap St southwards, and at its end, then turn right to see cruises.

At the end of the Hoi An Night Market or Nguyen Hoang street, visitors can find another boat station (known as Nguyen Hoang boat station). Less boats dock here than Bach Dang quay. During the day, there are many boat trips on the Thu Bon River embarking here.

Thu Bon River Day Boat Trips & Price

Hoi An to Moonlight Bridge – Memories Land

From Bach Dang street/quay, a boat trip to the Moonlight Bridge, loop the Hoi An Memories Island, and back is popular. It’s often 20 mins long.

In the beginning of the ride, visitors will see Cam Nam Bridge, the only bridge connecting Cam Nam Island with the rest of the city. On the right hand side (island side), there are hotels designed by local traditional housing style (with tile roofs, yellow walls). On the left hand side, that’s the Central Market and the Cloth Market of Hoi An.

After a short period of time, the Moonlight Bridge appears. It is the walking bridge spanning one branch of the Thu Bon River and connecting the Hoi An Memories Land with the mainland. Its design is inspired by the full moon, a familiar image about the city. On this island, from the boat, visitors will see boutique, local style hotel rooms by coconut trees. On the other side, it’s possible to see a road running along the river, with golden shower trees (blooming in hot months) and one of the oldest luxury hotels in town.

On the river, if lucky, visitors will see fishermen collecting baby clams that will be used to make Cam Nam stir-fried baby clams, a specialty dish of Hoi An.

The boat will return to the Old Town when it goes around the Hoi An Memories Island (this island has a clam-like shape, so it’s called the Clam Island by locals). It docks at the quay along Bach Dang street again.

Price: 400,000 to 600,000 VND per boat, per trip

Hoi An to Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is on the left bank of Thu Bon River, about 5km away from the Hoi An Old Town, so it’s accessible by boat. Here, visitors have the chance to meet living artisans who have made pottery since a young age, and try their hand at making an object(s). This village is one of the last surviving pottery villages in the country where locals still use manual potter’s wheel. See more information & details

From Bach Dang street/quay, a boat trip to Thanh Ha Pottery Village is 15 mins long. After the embankment, on the right hand side, visitors will see a dome bamboo theater set in the middle of lush coconut trees (Hoi An Lune Center) and then fishing boats belonging to a fishing village. The first bridge is a metal bridge which spans the Thu Bon River to connect Cam Kim Island with Hoi An. While vehicles are moving on it, the sound is interesting. The second bridge is new and better than the first one. Under it, on the right side, that’s Thanh Ha Fish Market and Fresh Market. On the opposite bank, there are grasslands and herbs of water buffalo.

Price: 400,000 to 600,000 VND per boat, per trip

Hoi An to Kim Bong Village – Cam Kim Island

Cam Kim Island is one of the largest islands on the Thu Bon River. Today, it’s connected with the city by two bridges. For such a long time in the past, this island was nearly isolated, and the only way to get to it is by boat.

From Bach Dang street/quay, the boat ride to Cam Kim Island is 10 minutes long. The landing place is the entrance of Kim Bong Carpentry Village, a famous traditional craft village in Hoi An. From here, visitors can walk or cycle to explore the island (the bicycle can be put in the boat).

After landing the island, visitors firstly should visit Kim Bong Carpentry Village where the most skilled local carpenters and boat builders have lived and worked. They make many things, such as wooden furniture, sculptures, statues, souvenirs, so on. Their ancestors were skillful craftsmen who constructed fine buildings in the Hoi An Old Town (such as Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House). Now, they have been closely working with the government to restore these old cultural heritages. See more information & details

Price: 400,000 to 600,000 VND per boat, per trip

Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book a boat trip from Hoi An to Kim Bong Carpentry Village and Cam Kim Island.

Hoi An to Cam Thanh Coconut Village

Cam Thanh Coconut Village is 7-8km away from Hoi An Old Town. It’s famous for lots of coconut farms, vast mangroves, exotic basket boat ride, and fun cooking classes. Its location is near the estuary of Thu Bon River, and confluence of three rivers, so convenient for boats. See more information & details

From Bach Dang street quay, the boat ride to Cam Thanh Coconut Village is 30 mins long. It can be the longest boat trip in Hoi An. During it, visitors will see the Moonlight Bridge, rural areas and daily life of local people. On the river, local men catch fish or drop the net to collect clams (for making local specialty food stir-fried baby clams). Along the banks, occasionally local women wash clothes or raise ducks/chickens. On some grasslands, there are flocks of water buffalo, on the ground or in the water (to soak or bath). Before seeing the Cua Dai Bridge (the longest and tallest bridge spanning Thu Bon River), it’s possible to see circle fishing traps or ‘hanging’ fishing nets (are lifted down at night when fishes can’t see anything & locals a light to attract them). It’s fantastic to have some nice pictures here.

Under Cua Dai Bridge and to the left, there is Bay Mau Water Coconut Forest, the only mangrove in the region. It’s part of a Unesco world biosphere reserve which aims to protect high biodiversity areas. It’s the hiding place for Vietcong communists in the Vietnam war.

After arriving at the Coconut village, visitors will take a rest in thatched huts by the river and embark a basket boat ride then. This boat tour is 30-45 mins, depending on the weather and how much passengers enjoy it. Besides the nipa palm forest, watching spinning boat performance, demonstration of catching fish by net, listening to local folk songs, and crab fishing are other activities. It’s such unbelievable and great to take photos. To return to Hoi An, will use the cruise boat again.

Price: contact us

Hoi An to Tra Nhieu Fishing Village

Tra Nhieu Fishing Village is at the easternmost point of Cam Kim Island, 6km away from Hoi An. It’s one of the least touristy villages in Hoi An. Here, visitors can see authentic rural scenery and life, a boat-shaped temple to worship the whale, fishing harbour, hanging fishing nets, and a coconut forest (basket boat here). See more information & details

From Bach Dang street quay, the boat trip to Tra Nhieu Fishing Village is 30 mins long. On the way, visitors have the chance to glimpse real rural areas and life of local people. Before landing, hanging fishing nets are impressive. Don’t forget to take one picture! In the village, once again, visitors will have a boat ride, but by basket boat (or circle boat). Along small and peaceful canals, Tra Nhieu Nipa Palm Forest – Nature Things to Do in Hoi An, VietnamTra Nhieu Coconut Forest and wildlife in it are untouched. Those who want to escape from crowds, should go on this ride to enjoy a sense of tranquility.

Visitors will walk back to the cruise boat and spend another half of an hour returning to Hoi An Old Town.

Price:

Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise & Price

Hoi An Old Town to Moonlight Bridge

The Moonlight Bridge is the most special bridge spanning the Thu Bon River. Its design is inspired by the full moon. The best time to visit this bridge is sunset when it becomes golden and the water below is shimmering. One of the best places to see/photograph the Moonlight Bridge is from a boat.

Before going, visitors need to check the exact sunset time (just search on Google). After that, come to Bach Dang street/quay to find a boat and then embark. The price depends on the number of passengers. The price includes or excludes paper lanterns to release, therefore it’s needed to check carefully.

The boat ride from the Hoi An Old Town to see sunset at the Moonlight Bridge is 20-30 mins long. When the boat goes close to the bridge, it stops to allow visitors to walk to the deck, to take photos or make videos. At this time, visitors can light up a lotus paper lantern, and then release it to the river (wish if want). The bridge behind is just a perfect backdrop for any pictures. Boatman doesn’t mind helping with some shots with your smartphone.

Price: 400,000 to 600,000 VND per boat, per trip

My Son Sanctuary to Hoi An Old Town

After visiting My Son Sanctuary, a complex of ancient Hindu temples, visitors can return or go to Hoi An by boat. The best time to do this boat trip is definitely at sunset time. A sunset ride is a smart, relaxing and off-the-beaten-path way to reach Hoi An and avoid crazy traffic. If go by yourself, please don’t forget to check the exact sunset time on Goggles to better plan the trip.

The nearest boat station from My Son Sanctuary is the one at Cau Lau Bridge, Nam Phuoc town, Duy Xuyen district. From here, visitors need to spend 30-45 mins downstream to Hoi An. On the way, the boat will go under four bridges, pass by many rural villages with green farms and a fork of water buffalo. Sure, passengers have the chance to enjoy a brilliant sunset scenery with an orange sky and a golden river. That’s the perfect way to end a day trip and hunt for amazing pictures. In the most beautiful moment, the rider let his boat not move for a while, giving time to photograph. When the ride nearly finishes, the Old town looks gorgeous because it’s decorated by thousands of lanterns.

Price: contact us

More details: https://hoiandaytrip.com/my-son-sanctuary-to-hoi-an-by-boat

Dinner River Cruise in Hoi An & Price

In Hoi An, visitors can find a cruise with a restaurant-bar on it. This cruise boards in the late afternoon, and then travels on the Thu Bon River to allow passengers to watch a brilliant sunset scenery and take fantastic photos. After the darkness, they can see the menu to grab some delicious dishes and nice drinks with a view to colorful lanterns. The atmosphere is absolutely dramatic and laid-back. Couples should pin the activity in their travel plan.

Price: contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)

Thu Bon Night River Cruise & Price

In the evening, the best boat trip on the Thu Bon River is to the Moonlight Bridge. This bridge becomes lightful and awesome after sunset thanks to its design inspired by the image of the full moon. Sure, visitors can sit on the deck of the boat and take nice photos with it behind, or release lanterns to the river. Total duration of the ride is 20-30 mins, not too long, but passengers won’t be disappointed.

Price: 400,000 to 600,000 VND per boat, per trip

Is Hoi An River Cruise Worth It?

A trip by Thu Bon River cruise is one of three popular boat trips in Hoi An (two others are basket boat ride and lantern boat ride). It’s worth it, especially the sunset boat trip. Here are reasons why:

– Boat trips on the Thu Bon River are longer than any boat rides in Hoi An, allowing passengers to see both the city and countryside of Hoi An.

– Boat trips on the Thu Bon River are better experiences to get to famous craft villages in Hoi An.

– One of the best places to see sunset in Hoi An are from cruise boats on the Thu Bon River.

– Boat trips on the Thu Bon River allow more passengers to join together (up to 12-15 ppl), so suitable big families or groups of friends.

– Boat trips on the Thu Bon River are not really expensive.

Tips to Know Before Book Thu Bon River Cruise

– In the dry season, visitors should bring sun cream, sun glasses, hat/cap or umbrella, and bottles of water.

– In the rainy season, check the weather forecast in advance. The scenery is more beautiful when it doesn’t rain. If plan to see the sunset, should check the sunset time carefully and go to Hoi An Old Town to board before it.

– Bargaining is accepted, but visitors should ask for a price that is not too much lower than the first price, from the boat man. If happy with the first price, just do it because the boat is really expensive.

– Bring cash (VND) to pay for boat trips as boat owners may not have any ideas about card payment.

– During the boat trip on Thu Bon River, visitors must wear life vests for safety reasons. This is a must do before boarding.

– It’s better to go with a local guide who can tell you about things during the boat trip, such as places and their history, daily activities of local people, stories untold, or culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book.

– Many tours include a boat trip on Thu Bon River in the itinerary.

Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer

First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details

If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.

We suggest this itinerary for first timers:

Total distance: 1,65 kilometers

– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship Model (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.

– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).

– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.

– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.

– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.

– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).

– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).

– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.

For more details and the map, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour

Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam

From Hoi An

– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local

– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour with Traditional Art Performance

– Hoi An City Tour: Old Town, Coconut Village & Lunch

– Hoi An Morning Walking Tour with Local Breakfast & Coffee

– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour with Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise

– Hoi An Night Tour with Lantern Boat Ride & Dinner

– Hoi An History & Food Tour – Famous Landmarks & Specialty Dishes

– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café

– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride

– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert

– Hoi An City Tour by Electric Car

From Da Nang

– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang

– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang

– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang with Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride

– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang with Hoi An Memories Show

– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang

– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang

– Hoi An Full Day Tour from Da Nang

– Hoi An City Tour from Airport

– Marble Mountain, Monkey Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang

– Hoi An Full Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide

– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour – World Heritage Site Tour

– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang

– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port

– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port

– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Intercontinental Danang Resort

– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Lang Co