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Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Are you interested in a Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride experience in Hoi An? While the experience is fun and exciting, you may wonder if it is too touristy. My review shares my personal journey and what you should know!

The Hoi An Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride is one of the most popular activities for visitors to this charming city. Picture yourself hopping into a small bamboo basket boat and gliding gracefully along the tranquil river, surrounded by a palm forest. It’s an enchanting experience that you won’t forget.

However, during our research on the coconut forest basket boat tour, many reviews described it as a tourist trap, suggesting that it might not provide a pleasant experience. Despite this, we decided to stick to our plan and check it out for ourselves. We were curious to find out whether the Hoi An Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride is a genuine experience or simply a tourist trap. Let’s find out together.

How To Book the Hoi An Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride

If you’re planning to take a coconut boat ride, Klook is the best place to buy tickets for the experience. Alternatively, you can ask a local for the rates if you prefer.

Purchasing the Coconut Forest Boat Ride from Klook was quite affordable and offered great value for money. Most importantly, everything is clearly stated. We read many reviews about coconut boat tours and the scams associated with them, but thanks to Klook, the directions are straightforward. Klook provided a trusted vendor who doesn’t pressure you to buy or tip beyond what you ordered. If you go directly without going through a reliable vendor, you will be ripped off.

However, it’s important to manage your expectations regarding the coconut boat tour. It is very much a tourist trap, but it’s a fun ride if you don’t have anything else planned. Despite being touristy, you’ll still have the chance to take some nice pictures with an enjoyable ride.

Planning a trip to Hoi An? This handy Hoi An Checklist Guide will help you make the most of your time in this charming historical town!

Airport Transfers – Hassle-free Private Transfer between Da Nang Airport and Hoi An
Hoi An Accommodation – read more Where To Stay in Hoi An.

Ancient Old Town Area: Hoian Central Hotel
Riverside Ancient Town: Little Riverside Hoi An Luxury Hotel | Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel

Things to do when visiting Hoi An:

Hoi An Unique Experience – Coconut Forest Basket Ride Experience
For Hoi An Best Food – The Ultimate Food Guide to Hoi An & Da Nang

Popular Tour Options in Hoi An:

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hue Imperial Citadel Tour
Fun Amusement Park: Sun World Ba Na Hills Join-in Tour from Hoi An
Historical: My Son Sanctuary and Ruins

Check out my Hoi An guide for everything in one place! Charming Riverside Town – Hoi An

Getting To the Hoi An Coconut Forest Meet-up Point

How to get to Coconut Forest Basket Boat

We used the e-hailing app GRAB for our transportation to the coconut forest basket boat meet-up point.

Just entered the address provided in the Klook instructions. Be aware that there are many companies offering coconut forest basket tours in Hoi An, so make sure to choose the correct address. The journey took us about 15 minutes from the Hoi An ancient town area.

The GRAB driver dropped us off at the entrance, where staff members were waiting.

Getting to the Coconut Forest Basket Boat boarding area

We informed them that we booked through Klook, and they directed us to the boat boarding area, which is only a two-minute walk away.

Coconut Forest Basket Boat - Klook Vendor

You’ll find a few vendors in the area, but Klook has clear signage, so you can easily proceed without any difficulty.

Our Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride Experience

Coconut Forest Basket Boat Boarding Place

We rode in a basket boat, which is a unique type of boat commonly used in Central Vietnam. Each coconut basket boat can accommodate two adults, along with a boatman who helps row.

There was also a Vietnamese hat available, perfect for taking some nice photos.

Riding the round basket boat through the coconut forest was both exciting and entertaining. Since we went in the morning, it wasn’t very crowded, allowing us to fully enjoy the serene ride.

The boatmen were lively and even showcased some cool tricks while paddling.

As we glided along the peaceful river, nestled among the coconut palms, we experienced a heightened sense of calm. It felt like a world apart from the bustling streets of town, just pure nature, calm and beautiful.

We chatted with the boatman, who tried to keep us entertained. The ride through the tranquil coconut forest was incredibly soothing, and the guides made the journey enjoyable with their warm smiles.

Coconut Forest Basket Boat – Performance Area

Next, we rowed into the performance area, where most people gather and where a lot of activities take place.

Once we entered the performer’s area, we saw several boatmen showcasing their skills on the water. They spun their boats, danced, and even held mini concerts.

Coconut Forest Basket Boat Performance Area

During my basket boat ride, there were many Korean tourists, and the performers entertained them with popular K-pop songs playing in the background.

Boat spinning is one of the most exciting activities here.

Whether or not you find it appealing, you can choose to either watch and enjoy the show from a distance or participate by getting on the boat and experiencing the thrilling ride for yourself. Just keep in mind that if you want to do any additional activities during the tour, you will need to pay in cash along the way. Make sure to inquire about the payment required before you join the spinning.

Our coconut forest boat ride lasts about 45 minutes.

Overall: My Coconut Forest Boat Ride Experience

Overall, the Hoi An Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride was a wonderful experience. I initially felt hesitant to try it, but upon arrival, my fear quickly turned into excitement. Our boatman was energetic and funny, and he even took great photos of us to remember the trip by. We enjoyed fresh coconut drinks afterward, which were delicious.

Booking the Coconut Forest Basket Boat through Klook was very easy, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. My advice is to book this activity in advance. Alternatively, you can ask a local about the rates if you plan to go. It is quite touristy, so be prepared for that.

Lastly, if you need any help in planning your trip to Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue, then feel free to read more on our Central Vietnam travel blog posts below:

Traveling to Northern Vietnam:

Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City? Feel free to read on our Saigon travel stories.

Lastly, traveling to Phu Quoc? Feel free to read on our Phu Quoc travel stories.

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

If you’re looking for a tasty and authentic local flavor BBQ meal in Hoi An, Thit Nuong Co Loi grilled meat is a must-try!

During our food hunting trip to Hoi An, we aimed to taste the local street flavors and were delighted to discover Thit Nuong Co Loi. This humble open-air BBQ street vendor is renowned for its fragrant grilled pork skewers, which are served with silky rice paper and fresh herbs. The stall is always bustling with customers, thanks to its bold flavors and reasonable prices. The grilled pork is prepared simply yet thoughtfully, preserving the rustic essence of Central Vietnamese cuisine.

Here’s sharing my dining experience at Thit Nuong Co Loi, an authentic local flavor BBQ in Hoi An.

Thit Nuong Co Loi Hoi An

Thit Nuong Co Loi is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from my hotel, Hoian Central Hotel. As we approached, the delicious aroma of grilled meat filled the air, making it impossible to resist checking out the menu, even with full stomachs.

The dining experience at Thit Nuong Co Loi takes place in a street stall setting. The patrons sit on small plastic red chairs by the roadside while the vendor prepares the food. The skewers are grilled over glowing charcoal and served directly to customers. It was fun watching the vendors grill the skewers over the charcoal.

The place was bustling with customers, all happily chatting and eagerly enjoying their meals.

Thịt Nướng Cô Lợi Hội An
Address: 03 Nguyễn Huệ, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam 51306.
Business Hours: Daily 14:30 to 20:00

Ancient Old Town Area: Hoian Central Hotel
Riverside Ancient Town: Little Riverside Hoi An Luxury Hotel | Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel

Things to do when visiting Hoi An:

Hoi An Unique Experience – Coconut Forest Basket Ride Experience
For Hoi An Best Food – The Ultimate Food Guide to Hoi An & Da Nang

Popular Tour Options in Hoi An:

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hue Imperial Citadel Tour
Fun Amusement Park: Sun World Ba Na Hills Join-in Tour from Hoi An
Historical: My Son Sanctuary and Ruins

Check out my Hoi An guide for everything in one place! Charming Riverside Town – Hoi An

Eat Like a Local

A full set of grilled pork consists of approximately 10 pork skewers. The set is accompanied by rice paper (bánh tráng), fresh/wet rice paper (bánh ướt), raw vegetables, herbs, pickles, and a small bowl of dipping sauce.

We ordered two sets of grilled pork.

Thit Nuong Co Loi Hoi An - Cooling kumquat juice

Besides the food, we also ordered the cooling kumquat juice to wash down the greasiness.

After a short wait, our food was served. The pork is grilled until slightly charred and comes skewered with bamboo sticks.

How To Eat the Grill Pork (Banh Uot Thit Nuong)

To eat like a local, it was a very hands-on experience. The owner came over to show us how to eat the Grilled Pork (Bánh ướt thịt nướng). You need to loosen the pork pieces from the skewers and create your own individual wraps before diving in.

Here’s how to eat the grilled pork (Banh Uot Thit Nuong) in the proper way:

Use a dried rice paper to stick to the wet rice paper, picking up one layer.
Take a pork skewer, remove the banana leaf tie, and slide the pork off the bamboo stick. Place the meat on the wet rice paper.
Select your favorite vegetables, herbs, and pickles according to your preference, and add them to the rice paper.
Roll everything together, just like making a fresh spring roll. Don’t forget to dip the roll into the complimentary peanut dipping sauce. You can also mix in spicy sauces for an extra kick.

Finally, enjoy your roll and repeat the process.

Flavorful Bite

My first bite of the grilled pork (Bánh ướt thịt nướng) was amazing!

The pork was well-marinated with turmeric, fish sauce, sugar, lemongrass, shallots, and perhaps some five-spice powder. It was juicy and tender, perfectly complemented by the fresh herbs and greens wrapped in the chewy rice paper. With the dipping sauce, each bite was bursting with flavor. So addictive!

Thit Nuong Co Loi Hoi An - BBQ Streel Food

Overall: Our Food Visit to Thit Nuong Co Loi Hoi An

All in all, Thit Nuong Co Loi is truly a hidden gem in Hoi An. We had a great time making and enjoying the Banh Uot Thit Nuong, which was both fresh and addictive. When paired with the peanut dipping sauce and fresh vegetables, the flavour exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend Thit Nuong Co Loi to anyone looking to experience an authentic Vietnamese meal. It was one of the most memorable meals we had during our time in Hoi An.

Please note that we only recommend this place if you’re comfortable dining at street stalls.

Related Da Nang and Hoi An Food Guide post:

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Lastly, if you need any help in planning your trip to Hoi An, then feel free to read more on our Central Vietnam travel blog posts below: