Hoi An Vietnam Tours: Ancient Town, My Son, Basket Boat and Food Experience

Hoi An Vietnam tours bring together some of Central Vietnam’s most memorable experiences in one trip. Wander through the lantern-lit Ancient Town, explore the historic My Son Sanctuary, paddle a basket boat through the coconut waterways, and taste local dishes that are deeply connected to Hoi An’s culinary traditions.

Hoi An Vietnam tours itinerary at a glance

A well-planned Hoi An Vietnam tours combines the town’s historic charm with cultural sites, countryside scenery, and local experiences. This itinerary starts with the heritage of Hoi An Ancient Town, continues to My Son Sanctuary, and then moves into the coconut waterways of Cam Thanh before ending the day with Hoi An’s food and evening atmosphere.

Start your Hoi An Vietnam tours in Ancient Town

Morning is a good time to explore Hoi An Ancient Town on foot. The streets are easier to navigate before the busiest part of the day, and around two to three hours gives you enough time to see several important buildings without rushing.

Hoi An was an important trading port in Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century. Merchants from different parts of Asia and beyond came here to trade, leaving behind a mix of architectural and cultural influences that can still be seen in the Old Town today. In 1999, Hoi An Ancient Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its well-preserved historic townscape and its importance as an example of a traditional Asian trading port.

The Japanese Covered Bridge is a 17th-century historic landmark in Hoi An Ancient Town (Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper)

The Japanese Covered Bridge is an easy first stop. It was built in the early 17th century and remains one of the most recognizable structures in Hoi An. From here, walk towards Tan Ky House, where you can see the layout and details of an old merchant home, then continue to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall for another example of the town's historic architecture.

You do not need to pay simply to walk through the Ancient Town. The heritage buildings and museums inside the designated sightseeing area are different: entering these attractions requires a sightseeing ticket. This means you can keep the morning flexible rather than paying for every stop.

Read more: Discovering Hoi An: The Ancient Town of Timeless Beauty

My Son Sanctuary: a worthwhile trip from Hoi An

By late morning, leave Hoi An for My Son Sanctuary, around 1 to 1.5 hours away by road. Spending about 1.5 to 2 hours at the site gives you enough time to explore the main temple groups and, if the schedule works, watch a Cham performance.

My Son Sanctuary contains historic Cham temple towers nestled in a mountain valley (Source: Dan Tri Newspaper)

The history of My Son goes back much further than Hoi An's trading-port period. The sanctuary developed between the 4th and 13th centuries and served as an important religious and political centre of the Champa Kingdom. Its brick towers and carvings show strong Hindu influences, particularly the worship of Shiva. My Son Sanctuary was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999.

For visitors, the entrance fee is around 150,000 VND for international tourists and 100,000 VND for Vietnamese visitors. An electric shuttle also takes visitors between the entrance and the main monument area.

Most of the visit is spent walking between the different temple groups. The towers vary in size and condition, and some still have detailed carvings of deities, animals and decorative patterns. Take a little time to look at the brick construction as well; the way the towers were built is one of the most interesting parts of the site.

A Cham cultural performance is also held at the sanctuary, featuring traditional music and dance. The show features traditional Cham music and dance and usually takes place near the sanctuary. It is a short activity, but it gives visitors a chance to experience something beyond the ruins themselves.

Traditional Cham dance performances presented against the backdrop of ancient temple ruins (Source: Dan Tri Newspaper)

Photography is also a natural part of a visit to My Son, especially around the larger temple groups surrounded by trees. At the same time, the site is an archaeological area, so visitors should stay on the marked paths and avoid climbing on the remaining structures.

Read more: Da Nang or Hue: Which City to Visit in Central Vietnam?

Spend the afternoon on a basket boat in Cam Thanh 

After My Son, head back towards Hoi An and continue to Cam Thanh, where the Bay Mau Coconut Forest offers a completely different experience. Instead of walking around historical sites, you will spend the afternoon on the water in a traditional round basket boat.

A basket boat costs 180,000 VND for two Vietnamese visitors and 220,000 VND for two international visitors. These are package prices that already include the entrance ticket, so there is no separate admission fee to add. International visitors weighing over 100 kg must ride alone in one basket boat for safety reasons.

The ride usually takes around 45 - 60 minutes. Along the way, boatmen may demonstrate fishing techniques, including casting nets and catching small crabs in the waterways. Depending on the boat operator, you may also get to try some of these activities yourself rather than simply sitting back and watching.

Visitors exploring the water channels of Bay Mau Coconut Forest in traditional basket boats (Source: VietjetAir)

The most energetic part comes when the boatman starts the spinning basket boat performance. The round boat is turned quickly in the water, sometimes while the boatman performs or dances. It is one of the activities that makes the Cam Thanh stop different from a standard boat trip.

There is also plenty of time to simply enjoy the scenery. The waterways are relatively narrow, so you get a close view of the coconut palms and fishing areas rather than a wide river landscape. For photography, the boat itself, the coconut-lined channels and the fishermen's activities provide most of the interesting moments.

End your Hoi An Vietnam tours in the Ancient Town

Return to Hoi An in the late afternoon, ideally around sunset. There is no need to schedule another major attraction at this point. The evening is better spent eating, walking and enjoying the atmosphere around the river.

Try some Hoi An specialties for dinner, then head towards the Thu Bon River. After dark, the lanterns around the Ancient Town create a very different setting from the morning, when you were exploring the historic buildings.

Colorful silk lanterns brightly illuminating a street shop in Hoi An Ancient Town at night (Source: Lao Dong Newspaper)

If your Hoi An itinerary falls during a lantern festival, expect more people and more activity around the river. You can pay to join activities such as releasing lanterns onto the water, or simply walk along the riverside and enjoy the lights without adding another activity to your schedule.

The evening is also a good time to revisit a street or landmark from the morning. You will see the Japanese Covered Bridge, old houses and narrow lanes in a different setting, without needing to follow another sightseeing list.

Finish Hoi An Vietnam Tours with local food

After the basket boat ride in Cam Thanh, stop for lunch around the Bay Mau Coconut Forest before heading back to the Old Town. There are plenty of local restaurants in and around the area, so you can have a proper meal without going far. This is a good time to try some of Hoi An’s best-known dishes, especially cao lau and white rose dumplings.

Cao lau noodles served with pork, fresh herbs, and crispy crackers are a local Hoi An culinary specialty (Source: Vietnam Tourism)

Cao lau is made with thick rice noodles, slices of pork, fresh herbs, greens, and crispy rice crackers. The noodles are mixed with a small amount of savory sauce instead of being served in a bowl of broth, which gives the dish a texture and flavor quite different from other Vietnamese noodle dishes. White rose dumplings are another Hoi An specialty, made from thin rice flour wrappers filled with seasoned shrimp and topped with crispy shallots. Order a plate to share with the table rather than having it as a main dish.

If you want something quick and filling, go for banh mi Hoi An. The baguette is usually packed with meat, pâté, pickles, herbs, and sauce, making it an easy option for lunch or a light meal later in the day. For something a little less familiar, try banh dap with hen xao. The crispy and soft rice paper is served with stir-fried baby clams, fresh herbs, and seasoning. It is a simple local dish but gives you a different taste of Hoi An beyond the better-known specialties.

Read more: Da Nang Food Guide: 4-Day Foodie’s Journey Through Da Nang & Hoi An

A few practical details to plan your Hoi An Vietnam Tours 

• Do not assume a 45 - 60 minute basket boat ride means 45 - 60 minutes of rowing:  At Cam Thanh, some visitors report that the actual time on the water can be shorter, with part of the experience taken up by spinning, fishing demonstrations, karaoke or other entertainment. If the length of the ride matters to you, ask exactly what the quoted duration includes before getting into the boat.
• Decide whether you actually want the spinning boat before you go: The famous 360-degree spinning is the part that appears in many Hoi An TikTok videos, but it is not for everyone. The boat can move surprisingly fast and water may splash into the boat, so keep your phone in a waterproof pouch and wear clothes that can get wet if you plan to try it.
• Keep some cash aside for the boat rower:  Tipping is commonly expected at Cam Thanh, particularly when the rower spends extra time making crafts, demonstrating fishing or entertaining passengers. It is not the same as an entrance fee, so ask what your package includes before assuming everything is covered.

Visitors navigating traditional basket boats through the waterways of Cam Thanh coconut forest (Source: Dan toc phat trien)

• Do not automatically take the first basket boat offered at the entrance: Several recent traveller accounts mention that the operators and prices can vary around the entrance area. Some travellers recommend checking the total price, ride duration and included activities before choosing a boat rather than accepting the first offer.
• Do not skip the electric shuttle at My Son: The ticket includes the shuttle between the entrance and the temple area, which saves you from walking roughly 2 km in the sun. If you are planning a full day combining My Son with Cam Thanh, this small detail can make the afternoon much less tiring.
• If you want to see the Cham performance at My Son, check the schedule before walking around the ruins: The performance is part of the visit, but it is easier to fit in when you know the show time rather than discovering it after you have already finished exploring the site. Current visitor information lists performances around 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM, but schedules can change, so confirm on the day.

This one-day route gives you a good look at the different sides of Hoi An without spending the whole day in the Ancient Town. You get the old streets and heritage buildings in the morning, a trip to My Son for a change of scenery, a basket boat ride in Cam Thanh in the afternoon, then come back to Hoi An for dinner and the lantern-lit streets. It is a fairly active day, so it suits travellers who have limited time and want to see more than one attraction.

For the whole day, a budget of around 500,000 - 800,000 VND per person is reasonable, excluding accommodation. This covers the main sightseeing tickets, basket boat, meals and basic transport, with the final cost depending on your food and transport choices. It is a mid-range cultural and sightseeing trip rather than a luxury tour. If you prefer a slower, more relaxed day, split the itinerary into two days instead..

For travellers planning Hoi An Vietnam tours beyond this itinerary, Sinh Cafe also has routes connecting Hoi An with other places in Central Vietnam. This can be useful if Hoi An is only one stop on a longer trip and you want to continue on to destinations such as Hue or Da Nang.

FAQS

How many days do you need for Hoi An Vietnam tours?
→ Two to three days is enough to explore Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son, Cam Thanh, and try local specialties.

Is Hoi An suitable for families with children?
→ Yes. The Ancient Town, basket boat rides, and other activities are suitable for most families.

Can you visit My Son and Hoi An on the same day?
→ Yes. My Son can be visited as a half-day trip, leaving time to explore Hoi An later in the day.

Is Hoi An worth visiting from Da Nang?
→ Yes. Hoi An is close to Da Nang and can easily be visited as a day trip or overnight stay.

What should you wear when visiting My Son Sanctuary?
→ Wear light, breathable clothes and comfortable shoes, as the site involves walking outdoors.

Can you explore Hoi An without a guided tour?
→ Yes. You can explore the Ancient Town independently, while transport may be more convenient with a tour for My Son and Cam Thanh.