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📍 nature · river · hoi an

Bảy Mẫu Coconut Forest

Bảy Mẫu Coconut Forest is a 7-hectare water coconut palm wetland in Cẩm Thanh village - navigated by traditional Vietnamese basket boats through narrow waterways under the palm canopy, with fishing demonstrations and local music performances.

🛶 Basket Boat🥥 Water Coconut Forest📸 Photography🎶 Local Performance
🧭 Get Directions

Overview

Best Time to Visit
📅 Year-round; dry season (Mar – Aug) for calmest water
Entry Fee
🎟️ ~150,000–250,000 VND (includes basket boat ride)
Opening Hours
🕐 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address
📌 Cẩm Thanh, Hội An, Quảng Nam

Things to Know

👥Crowds
Can get crowded during peak hours. Early morning (around 3-3:30 PM or morning departures) offers peaceful, less crowded experiences
🌤️Seasonal
Flooding can occasionally close the activity, as reported during rainy periods
ABOUT THIS PLACE

What Makes Bảy Mẫu Coconut Forest Special

Bảy Mẫu Coconut Forest - 'Seven-Acre Forest' - is a wetland of water coconut palms (Nypa fruticans) in Cẩm Thanh village, 3km from Hội An Ancient Town, navigated by the traditional Vietnamese basket boat (thúng chai). The water coconut is a palm species that grows in brackish waterways and tidal zones, and the Cẩm Thanh wetland is one of the largest remaining stands of water coconut in central Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the dense vegetation provided cover for Viet Cong fighters - the forest was heavily bombed by American forces attempting to destroy the cover, and replanting after the war restored the current forest. Today the 7-hectare wetland is an ecological and tourism resource: the narrow waterways beneath the interlocking palm fronds are navigated by basket boats, and the experience - paddling through the tunnel of green vegetation with fish visible in the clear water below - has become one of the most distinctive activity offerings near Hội An.

How to Get There

🚗 Getting There

The Coconut Forest is in Cẩm Thanh village, 3km from Hội An Ancient Town - accessible by bicycle (15–20 minutes on flat road), motorbike, or Grab. The boat dock and ticket area are at the waterway entrance in the village. Tour operators in Hội An town offer half-day packages combining the forest with Trà Quế Village.

What to Expect

👀 On the Ground

The tour begins in basket boats - round, traditional Vietnamese fishing vessels that seat 2–3 passengers - paddled by a local guide through the narrow palm-canopied waterways. The route winds for 30–45 minutes through the forest, emerging into wider sections of the waterway where the guide performs the basket boat spinning - a traditional fishing technique turned performance where the guide spins the round boat in circles using a single oar. Fishing demonstrations and local music performances are sometimes included depending on the tour package. The water is clear and shallow, with fish, crabs, and water birds visible from the boat.

Travel Tips

🧳 Tips

The Coconut Forest is one of Hội An's most photogenic experiences - the visual of the basket boat under the coconut canopy is distinctive and hard to replicate elsewhere in Vietnam. The tour has become somewhat performative (the spinning demonstration is entertainment rather than fishing) but the forest itself and the basket boat navigation are genuine. The half-day combination of Trà Quế Village and the Coconut Forest, both reached by bicycle from Hội An town, is the best single morning available in the area.

Insider Tips

Based on real traveler experiences and commonly mentioned advice from multiple visitors.

Book via WhatsApp in advance or arrive without reservation; no waiting typically required
Visit early morning or late afternoon (3-3:30 PM) to avoid crowds and tour groups
Try coconut coffee and Bánh Xèo cooking class available at nearby cafes after your boat ride
The basket boat (thúng chai) spinning demonstration is a tourist addition but the boats themselves are genuinely traditional fishing vessels - ask the boatman about their actual use
Book a morning tour for the best light filtering through the coconut canopy - the afternoon sun makes the channels too bright for good photography
The spinning/dancing basket boat performance happens at a wider section of the canal - position yourself on the left side of the boat for the best camera angle
Combine with Trà Quế Village on the same half-day - both are in the Cẩm Hà area north of Hội An and can be cycled between
The water coconut palms (Nypa fruticans) are a different species from regular coconuts - their fruit is used for making the thatch roofing visible on traditional buildings throughout the area

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

How much does a coconut boat ride cost?›
Fixed pricing is 100,000-200,000 VND per person depending on group size and boat type. No additional charges except optional tips for rowers and paid boat spinning upgrades.
How long is the boat ride?›
Rides last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, including activities like fishing net demonstrations, craftwork, and optional boat spinning.
What should I know about booking and crowds?›
No advance booking required; arrive and board immediately. Early morning or 3-3:30 PM visits avoid peak crowds. Message WhatsApp in advance if using Grab to avoid wrong pickup locations.
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