Hoi An Boat Tours Guide | The Vietnam Guides

The Thu Bon River runs through the heart of Hoi An, and the town’s waterfront is one of the most atmospheric in Southeast Asia - especially at night, when hundreds of paper lanterns reflect across the water. Boat tours in Hoi An range from 30-minute lantern-lit evening cruises to full-day snorkelling trips to Cham Island. Here’s the breakdown by format.

Thu Bon River Cruises

The most popular format is an evening cruise along the river, usually departing around 5–6pm and running for 60–90 minutes. You’ll drift past the lantern-lit old town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and out toward the river mouth, then return as darkness falls and the lantern density increases.

Pricing: Boats are hired at the riverside jetty near the old town - from approximately 150,000–300,000 VND for a short private boat for two people. Longer cruises (2–3 hours, sometimes including a stop at a fishing village) run approximately 300,000–500,000 VND per boat. Prices are negotiable; agree the full cost including return before boarding and confirm no additional charges will be added mid-trip.

Organised evening cruises on GetYourGuide - several operators list guided evening river cruises including a short lantern-releasing ceremony, from approximately $10–20/person. Group format; good for solo travellers or couples who prefer a structured experience over negotiating at the jetty.

Lantern floating - small paper lanterns with candles can be bought from vendors along the riverside (approximately 30,000–50,000 VND each). This is a common element on organised cruises. If you’re hiring privately, buy lanterns before boarding.

Basket Boat Tours at Cam Thanh

The coconut palm forest at Cam Thanh village, 4 kilometres east of Hoi An’s old town, is where basket boat experiences are centred. Basket boats (thung chai) are round, coracle-style vessels traditionally used by fishermen to navigate through shallow palm canals. The tourist version involves a local boatman spinning and rocking the boat for entertainment, then guiding you through the narrow waterways beneath the palm canopy.

Duration: 60–90 minutes on the water, usually combined with a transfer to/from Hoi An (15 minutes by bike or tuk-tuk).

Pricing: Standalone basket boat rides run approximately $8–15/person on organised tours. The experience is invariably bundled with a transfer, sometimes a bicycle ride through the village, and occasionally a coconut drink or fishing demonstration.

Operators: Local operators at Cam Thanh village run their own boats - booking on arrival is straightforward. Alternatively, book a Cam Thanh basket boat tour through GetYourGuide for guaranteed pickup and a set price, which avoids the riverfront bargaining.

What to expect: The spinning is the centrepiece - most boatmen are skilled at it and it’s good fun for about five minutes. The canal sections through the palm groves are genuinely beautiful and less touristy than the old town riverside. Go in the morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 4pm) for better light and smaller crowds.

Fishing Village Tours

Several operators combine a Thu Bon River boat ride with a visit to one of the traditional fishing villages near the river mouth - Thanh Ha or Cam Kim are the most common. Visits typically include:

A boat transfer along the river (30–45 minutes each way)
A walk through the village with a guide explaining fishing techniques and boat-building
Optional participation in net-throwing or crab trap setting

Duration: Half-day (3–4 hours).
Pricing: Approximately $20–35/person on organised tours including transfer and guide.

La Vie en Rose Tours and similar small operations (bookable via hotel recommendation or GetYourGuide) offer well-reviewed half-day village circuits. The boat ride itself is pleasant - local wooden boats, not tourist vessels - and the villages are genuinely working communities rather than staged performances.

Sunset Cruises

Dedicated sunset cruises depart around 4:30–5pm and are timed to be on the river as the light drops. Most run 90–120 minutes and include drinks (cold beer and soft drinks typically provided on organised tours).

Group sunset cruises: From approximately $15–25/person. Several operators list on GetYourGuide with recent reviews. Look for boats with a covered deck or shade - open wooden boats can be warm in the late-afternoon heat.

Private charter: Hiring a wooden boat privately for 2 hours runs approximately $40–70 for the whole boat (usually up to 4–6 people). Negotiate at the riverside jetty south of the market, not at the tourist-facing jetties closer to the Japanese Bridge, where prices are higher.

Cham Island Day Trip

Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham) is a small archipelago 18 kilometres offshore from Hoi An, accessible by speedboat in approximately 20–25 minutes. The island is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Day trips typically include:

Speedboat transfer to the island (included in tour price)
Snorkelling at two or three sites around the island - coral, sea turtles (occasional), reef fish
Lunch on the island (usually seafood, included or separately priced - confirm when booking)
2–3 hours free time on the beach

Pricing: From approximately $25–45/person for a full-day Cham Island tour, including speedboat, snorkelling equipment, and guide. Some budget operators drop below $25 - check that snorkelling gear and boat fuel surcharges are genuinely included.

Season: Cham Island trips run year-round, but the sea is calmest and visibility is best from March to September. Trips are suspended or limited during Typhoon season (October–November) when swells make the crossing rough. Confirm departure before booking if travelling in October.

Booking: Browse Cham Island tours on GetYourGuide for current pricing and availability - the best operators typically sell out 2–3 days ahead during peak season (June–August).

Practical Notes

Jetty location: The main tourist boat jetty is on Bach Dang Street, along the old town waterfront. Basket boat and fishing village tours typically meet at a secondary jetty further south or arrange pickup from your accommodation.

Motor boats vs. rowing boats: Organised river tours use small motorised wooden boats. Pure rowing boats exist but are uncommon for tourist cruises. The motor makes no meaningful difference to the experience.

What to wear: Sun protection is essential for any daytime water tour. For evening cruises, a light layer is useful - the river can feel cool after sunset, especially November to February.

Hoi An Boat Tours: Thu Bon River, Basket Boats & Cham Island (2026)

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