Cam Thanh water coconut village is a well-known eco-tourism destination in Hoi An. If you love nature, want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, let’s find out together about this place to plan your trip!
>> Please check a tour from Da Nang to visit Cam Thanh.
Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village
- Address: Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
- Entrance ticket price: 30,000VND/person
- Price for round basket boat: 150,000VND – 250,000VND
- Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm
- Parking: There is airy parking for a fee
Cam Thanh coconut village is also known as the seven-acre coconut forest because in the past this area had a nipa forest with an area of about 7 hectares. Although now the area of this region is up to about 100 hectares, familiar with the name has been attached for many years, so the locals still call this Hoi An coconut village the Seven-acre Coconut Forest.
In the past, during the war against France and the US, Cam Thanh coconut village was a hiding place for local guerrillas. With the ability to shield and difficulty to travel, this forest has prevented many enemy attacks, ensuring the safety of local guerrillas. Currently, there are a few remnants of war lying in the vast coconut forest.
Useful tourist information to visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village
To get a better range for visiting the water coconut forest of Cam Thanh, you may check these guides as below.
1. Move to the coconut forest
The coconut forest is located to the north bank of the Thu Bon river, about 2 km from the Hoi An beaches and about 3 km from the center of Hoi An with wide roads leading to here, so it is easy to move to this attraction.
The easiest means of transport are a car or a taxi. If you want to quickly get to Cam Thanh to visit, a pre-booked car or taxi will be a convenient option. Before entering the coconut forest, there is a very big parking lot, just a few steps you can reach the boat station to start sightseeing.
The second way is to travel by boat from the center of Hoi An. If you have more time and want to combine visiting Hoi An ancient town with this place, a boat trip down Thu Bon river will be quite an interesting experience. At that time, you will have more time to enjoy the scenery along the river, the fishing activities of fishermen, and slowly weave through each crevice in the coconut forest.
The third means of transport is a bicycle. Like other ecotourism sites around Hoi An, such as Tra Que Vegetable Village, you can easily use this simple means to move here. At the same time, traveling by bicycle will give you a feeling of relaxation and feel more integrated, closer to local life.
2. The best time to visit Cam Thanh Village
The best time of day to travel to Cam Thanh Village is in the morning because, at this time, the number of tourists visiting this area is less. However, from 2 pm to 5 pm, many large tour groups come to explore the area. So, you need to choose the right time to visit.
The time of year is from February to September when the weather is usually dry. Especially from February to May, the coconut trees are very luxuriant, the leaves are green, creating a beautiful scene. But from October to December is often the rainy season, the rains can come at any time. Therefore, you need to check the weather carefully before traveling during this time.
3. Activities to do in Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village
Not only visiting, but you can also join various activities in the coconut village. You may find different suggested experiences below.
3.1 Take a round basket boat to visit the coconut forest
Basket boat is one of the exciting means of transportation of local fishermen, it becomes a vehicle for tourists to explore the coconut forest. Round basket boats are difficult to capsize. A small basket boat is allowed to carry two passengers, a large one can carry up to 4 guests.
Sitting on a rowing basket boat, you will be rowed by locals, weaving through each coconut grove. Many people still think of this scene as the Southern river region of Vietnam, but it is a different means of transporting, basket boats, not longboats.
3.2 See the art performance of round boat control
Many people rowing basket boats are fishermen, they take advantage of the time after sea trips to earn extra income from serving tourists. Most of them have the special ability to control basket boats very skillfully to overcome the waves of the sea.
With their inherent talent, they will show you adventurous moments to the rhythm of the water, the basket swaying, sometimes flying, which is a unique activity in Hoi An as well as Vietnam. You will admire each swinging rhythm of the round basket boat rotating and jumping.
3.3 Try to use fishing nets and catch small crabs
Coming to Cam Thanh Hoi An, you will have the opportunity to experience how to catch fish according to the local traditional methods, such as throwing the fishing net, pulling the row fishing traps. It’s fun and interesting.
Moreover, the way of catching crabs with a small fishing rod helps you relax with peaceful scenery. The crabs creep in every corner of the nipa trees, you will find and gently lure the bait to catch.
3.4 Learn to make beautiful decorations
From the nipa leaves, the boatman will be able to help you learn how to make pretty things, like a grasshopper, a watch, glasses, or a stylized hat.
In just a few minutes, you’ll make a few small and pretty gifts that can add to the fun of your seven-acre coconut forest exploration.
3.5 Buy souvenirs and gifts of the locals
Along the way to the round boat station, you will see many souvenirs you can buy as gifts, such as embroidered bags, leather bags, hats made of coconut, silk scarves, keychains…
The members of Vietnamdrive are very excited about gifts from home gardens sold along the way, which are tasty, such as honey banana (small but very sweet banana), pineapple, mango, peanut candy…
Notes when visiting Cam Thanh Coconut Forest
+ Choose an appropriate time of the day to avoid the crowded of tourists coming to visit at the same time, especially from 2 to 5 pm.
+ Although the round basket boat is difficult to sink, you should put on a life jacket before getting on the boat to ensure safety.
+ When stepping on the shore or getting off the basket boat, you need to be careful because the boat is very prone to wobbling which can lead to slipping and falling.
+ Should book the service in advance and go with the staff to get better service if you have a bigger budget.
+ When taking pictures, remember to keep the camera strap in your hand to avoid accidentally dropping the camera into the water when you are on the boat.
The difference of Cam Thanh water coconut village will bring an exciting and thrilling feeling when swaying with each rowing rhythm of the round basket boat.
Don’t miss this unique place to discover nature and the river in Hoi An!