Cam Thanh Coconut Village, Hoi An: Top 6 Must-Do Activities

Located in the charming town of Hoi An, Cam Thanh Coconut Village is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and culture seekers alike. Nestled within lush coconut groves, this eco-tourism site offers peaceful boat rides, immersive cultural experiences, and the chance to discover traditional crafts. A visit to Hoi An Coconut Village promises an authentic, unforgettable experience.

Written by Thu Giang (Local Expert) Updated on 17-10-2024

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Where is Cam Thanh coconut forest?

The Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, also called Bay Mau Coconut Forest or Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, is located in the Can Nhan hamlet, Cam Thanh commune, in the city of Hoi An, Quang Nam province. This tourist site is about a 12-minute drive from Hoi An's Old Town.

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
• Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND per person
• Basket Boat Rental: 150,000 VND - 200,000 VND per boat for a one-hour experience

Highlights of the Cam Thanh coconut forest

Cam Thanh Coconut Village in Hoi An is famous for its rich ecosystem of water coconut trees, clear streams, and peaceful natural landscapes. Visitors can paddle through the lush green canals, enjoy the fresh air, and experience the simple life of the local residents, making it a top eco-tourism attraction in Hoi An.

According to local history, the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest has been around for over 200 years. Migrants from the Southwest region brought coconut saplings and planted them in this area. Due to the abundant water and fertile soil, the coconut trees thrived, eventually forming a vast forest originally covering 7 hectares, known as Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Today, the forest has expanded to over 100 hectares, offering even more natural beauty.

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During Vietnam's resistance period, this coconut forest played a crucial role as a revolutionary base, contributing to numerous military victories. Today, the Hoi An Coconut Village is a popular eco-tourism destination, attracting visitors from around the world who come to explore its natural wonders and historical significance.

Must-do activities in the coconut forest

The eco-tourism site of the Coconut Forest offers a wide variety of services, providing visitors with surprising and enriching experiences.

• Boat Ride to Admire the Scenery: Sailing on traditional boats through the lush coconut groves and breathing the fresh air is a unique experience much loved by visitors. The site offers two types of boats: small ones for two people and larger ones for four. During the ride, you will hear fascinating stories about the coconut forest, and from a distance, you might catch the soothing melodies of a traditional Quang song.

• Boat Dance Show and Boat Races: In addition to the scenic boat rides, you can also enjoy captivating boat dance performances and boat races. You will be amazed by the balance of the "artists" on the unsteady boats, with their agile, quick, and impressive movements. The boat races are also exciting and intense, so don’t forget to cheer on the rowers to encourage them even more.

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• Net Fishing Demonstrations: Net fishing is a lively demonstration eagerly awaited by visitors to the Coconut Forest in Hoi An. You will have the opportunity to witness local fishermen skillfully casting their nets, displaying their expertise up close.

• Crafting Souvenirs from Coconut Leaves: During your visit to the Coconut Forest, you will receive special gifts made from coconut leaves by the local guides. These could be wristwatches, rings, coin purses, traditional hats, and more. While these may be small tokens, they reflect the kindness, warmth, and simplicity of the Quang residents. The guides will also show you how to craft your own souvenirs from coconut leaves.

• Biking to Explore Cam Thanh Village: After admiring the vast coconut groves, you can rent a bicycle and explore the nearby Cam Thanh village. This ride will take you through a peaceful and picturesque area, surrounded by vast rice fields and filled with fresh, fragrant air.

• Tasting Hoi An Specialties with Locals: While exploring the Coconut Forest in Hoi An, don’t hesitate to accept a local resident's invitation to share a meal and experience authentic local life. You will be treated to local delicacies like spring rolls, sweet and sour shrimp salads, banana flower salads, and crispy pancakes. You can also enjoy these delicious dishes in the restaurants within the forest.

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Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit the Coconut Forest is during the dry season, which runs from January to September. During this period, Hoi An enters its summer season with plenty of sunshine, though the climate in the Coconut Forest remains extremely fresh, cool, and pleasant.

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If you visit the Coconut Forest around August or September, you will see the forest at its most beautiful, and you can taste a special dish of coconut rice with salted sesame. You can still visit the forest during other parts of the year, but be sure to keep an eye on the weather to avoid storms, particularly between October and November.

How to get to the coconut forest?

In recent years, the Coconut Forest in Hoi An has become a popular stop on the Da Nang - Hue - Hoi An tourist route. Thanks to a relatively well-developed road network, you can easily reach the forest by boat, car, taxi, or motorbike. There are two main ways to get there:

• By Water: You can board a boat at Bach Dang pier (in Hoi An’s Old Town), and a boat will take you down the Thu Bon River to the Coconut Forest.

• By Land: From Hoi An’s city center, take Tran Nhan Tong Street, cross the Cua Dai Bridge, and then drive for another 500 meters to reach the destination.

Suggested itinerary for a day in Hoi An

Morning: Departure for Van Lang fishing village and Hoi An coconut forest.

• Drive through rice and corn fields, market gardens and picturesque hamlets.
• Visit craft workshops and construction sites for wooden junks and other boats.

Arrival in Van Lang:

• Take a round basket boat ride along the coconut tree-lined rivers.
• Enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax and learn unique shrimp fishing techniques.

Noon: Rest and lunch with a local family.

With its peaceful and refreshing atmosphere, the Coconut Forest in Hoi An is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, unwind, and reconnect with nature. However, Hoi An is known not only for its Coconut Forest but also for its stunning beaches, such as An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach. 

Conclusion

With its peaceful and refreshing atmosphere, Hoi An Coconut Forest is an ideal place to escape from the hectic life, relax and reconnect with nature. We hope you will have beautiful and deep memories with the nature of Vietnam in general as well as the unique culture and warm welcome of the local people of Quang Nam in particular.

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