Located about 3 km from Hoi An Ancient Town, Bay Mau Coconut Forest lies within the space of Cam Thanh Village, in Hoi An Dong Ward – a place recognized by Forbes (USA) among the Top 50 most beautiful villages in the world in 2025.
Along the journey of exploring Hoi An, there is a place where, the moment you step in, the rhythm of everything begins to change. The hurried footsteps of the ancient town fade away, the lively sounds of crowds dissolve, and Bay Mau Coconut Forest opens into another world – where waterways become pathways, where coconut palms form natural canopies, and where every experience begins with a slower pace.
Photo: Pham Trung
From the center of Hoi An, just a short ride towards Cam Thanh brings visitors into a distinctive ecosystem at the lower reaches of the Thu Bon River. This “end of the river – beginning of the sea” location has created a dense network of waterways, where nipa palms grow abundantly, forming a vast green matrix that blankets the entire area.
The name “Bay Mau” originates from the forest’s original size of about seven mau (a traditional land unit), and although the area has expanded over time, the name remains – preserving a memory of the village’s beginnings.
Beyond its landscape, the coconut forest also carries historical significance. During the resistance years, this area served as an important revolutionary base, with its narrow creeks and dense palm cover providing natural shelter. Today, as visitors sit in a basket boat and glide through seemingly random waterways, they are not only moving through nature, but also through layers of history embedded in the land itself.
Experience Bay Mau Coconut Forest – Immersing in a refreshing river landscape
Sitting on a traditional basket boat and weaving through vibrant green nipa palms is more than just an activity – it is an entry into a completely different spatial experience, where the senses gradually attune to the rhythm of the river.
As the boat leaves the dock, the first thing you notice is not movement, but the transformation of space. The air becomes cooler, softer, and deeper as it is enveloped by layers of palm leaves. The round basket boat glides gently across the water, leading you into narrow channels where the forest closes in just enough to feel intimate, yet remains open enough to reveal the vastness of the ecosystem.
Light no longer falls directly, but filters through overlapping layers of leaves, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow across the water’s surface.
Photo: Mai Thanh Chuong
The journey on the basket boat is not merely about moving from one place to another, but about being guided through a series of naturally unfolding experiences. The rower is not just a guide, but also a storyteller. Stories about the coconut forest, about life on the river, about fishing seasons and tides are shared in a simple, heartfelt way, bringing depth and vitality to the journey.
One of the most iconic moments at Bay Mau Coconut Forest is the “basket boat spinning performance.” From the initial stillness, the atmosphere suddenly shifts as the boat begins to spin rapidly on the water. These fast, controlled rotations create a sense of excitement and delight.
This is not just a performance, but a real-life skill of local people, transformed into an experience that visitors can participate in. When trying to spin the boat themselves, even with some hesitation, visitors begin to appreciate the skill and experience of those who have spent their lives mastering this unique craft.
The coconut forest is also a space where distinctive sounds are preserved. Along the journey, traditional Quang folk songs and chants emerge naturally, without a formal stage, blending seamlessly into the river landscape. These melodies do more than enrich the experience – they create a meaningful connection between visitors and the local culture.
Photo: Do Anh Vu
For those who wish to explore deeper into local life, traditional fishing activities offer a hands-on experience. Techniques such as casting nets or pulling fishing nets are not merely skills, but the result of generations of accumulated knowledge. Watching a net spread across the water and gradually close is a moment that reflects the relationship between people and nature – one of understanding, adaptation, and respect.
Beyond the forest itself, the journey extends to craft villages closely tied to the nipa palm ecosystem. Using bamboo and coconut materials, local people create a wide range of products for daily life and tourism. Learning how basket boats are made or how coconut leaves are crafted into simple items provides insight into how a community lives in harmony with its natural resources while maintaining sustainability.
Another highlight is the cooking class experience set within a rural riverside environment. Rather than modern kitchens, these classes take place in gardens or open spaces by the water, where ingredients are sourced locally. From preparation to cooking and finally tasting, each step feels intimate and authentic. Here, cuisine becomes more than flavor – it becomes part of a cultural journey.
Notes for a complete journey
To fully experience Bay Mau Coconut Forest, the ideal time to visit is from March to November, when the weather is stable, the light is gentle, and the landscape remains lush and refreshing. Early morning or late afternoon offers the most peaceful and atmospheric moments.
Many visitors choose to combine the experience with a cycling trip through endless rice fields in the outskirts of Hoi An before heading into Cam Thanh. The transition from rural farmland to river landscape creates a seamless and enriching journey.
Alternatively, traveling by boat from Hoi An Ancient Town along the Thu Bon River towards the estuary offers a different perspective. This route allows visitors to witness the gradual transformation of scenery – from historic urban spaces to open ecological landscapes – before entering the tranquil coconut forest.
For convenience, tickets and basket boat services can be purchased directly at the reception area within the village. Travel agencies in Hoi An Ancient Town or hotel services also provide packaged experiences, ensuring a smooth and well-organized itinerary.
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Address: Vong Nhi Hamlet, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City (formerly Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City)
Ticket information:
Entrance fee: 30,000 VND/person
Basket boat rental:
150,000 VND/boat/2 people/45 minutes
180,000 VND/boat/2 people/60 minutes
The ticket includes access to the site, basket boat experience, spinning boat performances, and folk singing on the river.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest unfolds as a living space where every experience takes place in a natural and intimate way. From gliding through narrow waterways while listening to folk songs, to participating in traditional fishing activities, each moment contributes to a deeper understanding of local life – slow, simple, yet profoundly rich.
Photo: Tran Dinh Hiep
What makes this place truly special is not its spectacle, but its authenticity. The forest does not rely on staged highlights or overt displays. Instead, it gently guides visitors through layers of experience, offering a rhythm that is slow enough to feel, deep enough to remember, and original enough that, even after leaving, a part of it lingers within.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
