It’s safe to say that Hoi An is one of the most beloved tourist destinations for Western travelers, with its charming architecture, culture, and natural beauty. If you're planning a visit, there are a few iconic experiences you shouldn’t miss. From magical lantern boat rides to exhilarating basket boat tours, here’s a guide to the top three activities you’ll want to try in Hoi An—complete with pricing, booking details, and essential tips for the most enjoyable experiences.
1. Lantern Boat Ride and Lantern Release on the Thu Bon River
A must-do in Hoi An is a lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon River. As night falls, the ancient town is illuminated with hundreds of colorful lanterns, and the river becomes a glowing reflection of the town’s charm. The highlight of the experience is the chance to release a paper lantern onto the water, a traditional way of sending wishes for good luck.
Where: Thu Bon River
When: At nightfall. We did this boat ride after dinner, as it’s a calming, reflective activity before bedtime.
Price: The posted price for a boat for 1-3 people is 170k VND, or 220k VND for 4-5 people. A fair price for each lantern is 10k VND.
How to Book:
No need to book a tour; just head to the river and find the ticketing booth on the riverside near the Night Market. On the way, you’ll encounter many paper lantern sellers inviting you to join the boat ride. A polite “No, thank you” or, as we discovered, “We’ve done it already” works a miracle if you want to be left alone. Once you’ve paid for your tickets, line up to board one of the lantern boats.
You can buy lanterns from one of the sellers along the riverbank (which is what we did as we were unaware of the alternative) or directly from the boat rower who depends on the extra income. Our lovely boat rower took some beautiful photos for us, lit our lanterns, and helped us release them successfully. Since I didn’t buy the lanterns from him, I gave him a small tip, which he greatly appreciated.
2. Basket Boat Tour in the Coconut Forest (Cam Thanh Village)
A fun and unique way to explore Hoi An’s rural countryside is by taking a basket boat tour through the lush coconut forests of Cam Thanh village. These traditional round boats, made from woven palm leaves, offer an exciting, authentic way to navigate the waterways (you can still see them used by local fishermen). Though a very touristy experience, it’s definitely worth trying at least once. For added thrill, you can pay extra for a spin from one of the strong, skilled rowers or even try your hand at rowing these quirky boats. Some tours include a refreshing coconut drink made from fresh water coconuts (different from the typical land coconuts), available only during the warmer months when they’re in season.
Where: Hoi An Coconut Forest (Khu di tích lịch sử Rừng Dừa Bảy Mẫu in Vietnamese)
When: Any time during the day, but it's best to go in the morning to avoid the crowds. It also gets very hot in the summer, so definitely avoid noon/early afternoon if you’re visiting Hoi An during this time.
Price: There are many vendors operating basket boat rides, and they set their own prices. For the purpose of experimenting, we went to a random vendor who quoted us 1 million VND for our group of two adults and one child. They ended up charging us 200k all together after realising we weren’t their typical tourists. A fair price is around 80k/person, not including tips for the boat rower. Tipping is optional but expected. To be fair, rowing these boats with the short, small paddles is very strenuous, and the boat rowers don’t get paid very much. $1 in tip per passenger is sufficient.
How to Book: The DIY way is go to the river and ask a vendor for the price. You can always walk away if you're not happy with their price and find a different vendor. Some people prefer to prebook the Coconut forest basket boat tour as part of another tour for peace of mind.
3. Lantern-Making Workshop
Hoi An is famous for its handcrafted lanterns, and what better way to take home a piece of this charming town than by learning to make your own? In a lantern-making workshop, you’ll learn the delicate art of creating these colourful lanterns, which you can then bring home as a unique souvenir. The workshops are usually guided by local artisans, who provide all materials and step-by-step instructions.
Where: There are several lantern shops offering lantern-making workshops, which you can find on Google Maps. We took a class at Lantern Making Class with Lynn and had a great experience.
When: Most classes take place during the day, but some shops offer evening classes
How to book: Some shops offer walk-in classes, but it's best to call ahead or prebook. Allow at least 1 hour for your crafting experience. At Lantern Making Class with Lynn, you can stay as long as you'd like. Complimentary tea and light snacks are provided.
Price: Most lantern-making workshops cost around 100-150k VND per person for a 1-2 hour session. This includes all materials and step-by-step guidance. At Lantern Making Class with Lynn, we had the choice between a lantern wrapping and a lantern decorating experience. We opted for the latter for our child. Each option cost 120k VND, or we could do both for double the price. We were glad with our choice because the lantern wrapping technique looked quite challenging. My daughter absolutely loved painting her lantern, and it became her favorite part of the day.
Floating under the glow of lanterns on the Thu Bon River, navigating the winding waterways in a traditional basket boat, and crafting your own lantern masterpiece are three must-try activities in Hoi An. They’re kid-friendly and fun for travelers of all ages. Share your personal experiences in the comments below, and feel free to suggest other interesting experiences for fellow travelers visiting this charming town!
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