Coconut Boat Hoi An: We Found a Tour Away From the Crowds
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Going on a Coconut Boat in Hoi An is always on the list of top things to do in Hoi An.
But if you are like me, you may be a bit skeptical about whether it is worth doing or just another tourist trap.
I usually try to stay away from touristy activities, and the coconut boat tour definitely looked like one.
Reviews mentioned blasting music, crowded rivers, and people being overcharged. Basically, a tourist trap.
Still, after spending one month in Hoi An, we decided to give it a go, because we heard about a version of the tour that was quiet, relaxed, and away from the crowds.
In this post, I will share our experience on a quiet Coconut Boat Hoi An tour and explain how it compares to the traditional one, and help you decide which option is best for you.
The History Of The Coconut Boat: A Clever Tax Loophole
When you first see the coconut boats, they seem like they were invented for tourists. They are completely round and seem totally useless for anything practical. But they actually have a long and interesting history.
Under French colonial rule in the early 20th century, the government imposed taxes on boats with rudders and engines.
The taxes were totally unfair. If the fisherman paid them, they would not be able to make a living fishing. So they came up with an ingenious idea. Create a boat that was not considered a “real boat” by the French.
Because Coconut Boats do not have rudders or engines, they were not considered
“boats” by the French. So locals did not have to pay tax and could continue making a living.
The Coconut Boats were also easy to navigate in shallow waters around the Hoi An Coconut Forest. So they were also practical, as well as being a great way to save money.
Even though they are called coconut boats, they are not made from coconuts. The boats are made from tightly woven bamboo that is then coated with resin from coconut oil or tar to make them waterproof.
The name coconut boat actually comes from tourists because the shape reminds them of half a coconut shell.
In Vietnamese, they are called Thung Chai, which roughly translates to waterproof basket. That is why it is sometimes also called a basket boat tour in Hoi An.
So what started as a smart way to avoid taxes is now an icon of Hoi An and a way for locals to make money from tourists!
Where To Take The Quiet Coconut Boat Hoi An Tour
Tour Provider: Dịch vụ Thuyền Thúng Cô Mốt
Best For: Travelers looking to avoid crowds and noise
How to Book: Go in person or message +84984291001 on Whatsapp
Getting There: ~25 minutes from Hoi An by scooter
Tour Duration: ~30 minutes
We chose Dịch vụ Thuyền Thúng Cô Mốt tour because we wanted a quiet coconut boat experience in Hoi An without loud music or crowds, and that is exactly what we got.
We decided to go there because Phuc, our friend from our favorite restaurant in Hoi An, told us it was a good option.
It is a beautiful 25-minute drive from Hoi An. The tour starts on an island next to Hoi An, and there are also some other attractions to visit on this island.
Once you arrive, you will see a sign on a fence offering coconut boat tours. When we arrived, a local came out to greet us.
If there is no one around, you can send a message to +84984291001 on WhatsApp.
The starting point of the tour is just a 5-minute drive from the building, so you can follow them there on your scooter.
Paddling Through The Coconut Palms: Our Experience
Once we arrived at the boats, our local guide welcomed us onto her boat, and we were the only ones there!
Straight away, we were given traditional Vietnamese hats and a ring made from flax to wear on our fingers. A little bit cheesy and touristy, but it was still fun!
Our guide then paddled us down the river, which was shaded on both sides by the beautiful coconut palm trees.
FACT : Coconut water palms are a relative of traditional coconut palms that grow in brackish water, water that is a mix of fresh and salty. They grow a fruit just above the waterline at the base of the palm. The fruit is translucent and popular in Vietnam and China to be eaten in desserts as a sweet treat.
Because we were the only ones there, it was super peaceful and quiet. We really enjoyed it because it can be hard to find peace and quiet in Vietnam!
Our guide was super friendly and made us feel welcome straight away. She didn’t speak any English, but that did not matter to us.
After paddling down the river for about 20 minutes, enjoying the palm forest. We turned around and had a go at paddling the boat. It was much harder than our guide made it look!
It is super difficult to make a round boat go in a straight line. So you really appreciate the skill it takes after giving it a go.
On the way back, our guide also showed us how to fish for crabs. Crabs hide in the base of the coconut palms. So she used a simple stick with a line and some bait and put it down the base of the palm trees.
Our guide almost pulled a couple up, and it was good fun watching her trying to catch some.
Then, after the crab fishing, we headed back to the start. The tour only takes about 30 minutes and was a peaceful and relaxing experience.
We really enjoyed our tour, even though it was not the most mindblowing experience.
I know that some people may find the tour a bit boring because most of it is just paddling down the river.
But just remember, it only costs about $3.50, so why not give it a go. The island is beautiful and it is a great place to visit if you love going exploring by scooter.
Bonus Stop: The Cơ sở mộc Huỳnh Châu Wood Carving Village
After your tour, I recommend visiting the Cơ sở mộc Huỳnh Châu woodcarving village, which is on the same island.
We randomly stopped into the shop, and one of the workers gave us a lesson in woodcarving.
He gave us our own piece of wood to carve our names into. Once again, he made it look way easier than it is! Our names looked very amateur compared to his carving, but it was a fun experience.
I am not sure if they always offer a demonstration. But it is worth stopping by because they make some cool carvings, and it is not a big detour.
Another great stop is the Hidden Cafe/ Eco Farm. It is run by a super-friendly old man who loves to talk to visitors via Google Translate.
Prefer The Traditional Tour?
As I described above, the Coconut Boat tour that we took was very quiet and peaceful, with not a whole lot going on.
But if you want a bit more action and excitement, the traditional tour may be for you.
There are multiple places to take the traditional tour from, but I recommend going with Coconut Island Basket Boat Tour.
They offer the traditional activities, such as the coconut boat spinning show. But they go to quieter areas. So you shouldn’t be blasted with music like on other tours. You can book your Hoi An coconut boat tour tickets here.
Is the Hoi An Coconut Boat Tour Worth It?
I would say that the Hoi An Coconut Boat tour is worth it. But you can definitely give it a skip if you are unsure about visiting.
I am glad we discovered that the Coconut Boat tour does not have to be loud, crowded, and touristy. Choosing a quieter route completely changes the experience.
For us, paddling quietly through the palm trees and watching our guide fish for crabs was a relaxing experience. It was a great escape from the constant noise on the streets of Vietnam.
If you are deciding whether the coconut boat tour is worth it, my advice is to keep your expectations low. It will not be the most mindblowing experience, but it is a cheap, fun thing to do in Hoi An.
If you are also looking for more things to do in Hoi An, the best coffee and food. Make sure that you check out our articles below.
