Had your fill of Hoi An Old Town’s shops and markets, and sunbathing at Cua Dai Beach is just too tranquil? Then enjoy a basket boat ride at the Coconut Boat Village Hoi An in-between.
Legend has it Vietnam’s basket boats originated as a way for local fishermen to avoid paying taxes imposed during the French colonial rule. Others say the boats were born out of necessity as they were more practical than traditional fishing boats.
Whichever the case, the basket boats have become an endearing symbol of life along the central and southern Vietnamese coast for business, pleasure, and now tourism. Nowhere is this more evident than in Cam Thanh, also known as Hoi An’s Coconut Village or more informally, the Coconut Boat Village, just a few kilometres east of Hoi An’s Old Town.
In this article, Hidden looks into experiencing a basket boat ride yourself. Where a local guide skippers you through the eight-hectare network of water coconut palms, onboard a sturdy, all-natural vessel. It won’t leak, capsize, or have you swimming for shore. It’s fun for the entire family. So keep reading to find out the history of the boats themselves and the best way to experience the Coconut Boat Village in Cam Thanh.
History of the Basket Boat
France took control of Vietnam following the Sino-French War in 1884-85. At the time, fishing was an important part of the country’s welfare. Therefore the French, seeking to fatten their coffers, imposed a tax on all fishing boats. The Vietnamese, who were far from wealthy, then designed the spherical basket boat which they claimed wasn’t a boat at all, but a basket. The government reluctantly agreed and the local fishermen were spared any tax.
This is the generally accepted story behind the origin of the boats. However, others say the basket boat was built simply because it was a more effective fishing vessel with superior stability, strength, and maneuverability which is true regardless of the boats’ origins. They sit atop the water moving with it, avoiding waves versus most boats which slice through the water.
Today’s Basket Boat
The basket boat maintains its original design and composition today using bamboo and cow dung along with a waterproof resin from tree sap to keep it afloat. Firstly, young and flexible bamboo is dried in pieces. Then it is cut to an exact size before being woven together by hand, forming the shell of the boat. Many boat builders use cow dung or a water-resistant resin to waterproof the boat then cover it with tree sap. The boat is left in the sun to dry, adding strength. It’s then ready for action.
Yes, there are variations of it in the shape of typical modern-day vessels, including the use of fibreglass. But these traditional, bouncy little round boats are still alive and well, thriving, in Hoi An’s Coconut Village. So much so, there are up to a thousand in the water at any one time.
The Basket Boat Ride at the Coconut Village
At first glance, a basket boat might appear unstable but that is certainly not the case. The boats’ spherical shape distributes weight evenly. With a local skipper on board when you board, there are few of the wobbles common when stepping on to most small boats. Each one seats three adults comfortably on a built-in bamboo bench which stretches across its centre.
The boats measure about two metres in diameter so there’s plenty of room for your bags, shoes, camera and more. Most boat operators won’t let more than two adult passengers on board, though a toddler and a baby, or two, are excepted. Life jackets, while mandatory but loosely enforced, are available should you feel safer wearing one. Bear in mind that your skipper may receive a hefty fine if you do not wear a life jacket.
The Coconut Boat Ride Experience
After boarding at the river bank, the guide takes you on a 45-60-minute ride on the Cua Dai River, meandering through its at times maze-like network of channels, canals, and coconut palms. The water is calm and the boats move surprisingly fast despite guides using a small, single paddle. There are stops along the way for photos and a staged, though entertaining, demonstration of speed and balance by a local boat skipper. You also have the chance to throw a traditional fishing net (but don’t expect to catch anything) and paddle the boat. In addition, enjoy the quick and creative hands of your guide in turning palm stem strips into beautiful origami.
Hoi An isn’t known for its abundance of kids’ activities, but a basket boat ride is a good one. Kids of all ages will have a blast on the basket boats weaving through the palms, enjoying the entertainment, and marveling at the skills of local guides. Even with short attention spans, they won’t find the hour-long journey a drag.
Cam Thanh Coconut Village
A former army base during the American war, Cam Thanh, or the Coconut Village, is six kilometres east from the heart of Old Town. Don’t confuse this with the Cam Thanh district that stretches from the eastern edge of Hoi An to the Cua Dai Beach peninsula. It’s an easy drive by car or motorbike, and, if you go early or late, a flat and manageable bike ride. Expect it to take ten minutes by motorized transport or 30 minutes by bike.
The uniqueness of the Coconut Boat Village is its palm trees known as nipa, or mangrove, palms. Or, more commonly for visitors, water coconut palms. These are the only members of the palm family which have successfully adapted to mangrove ecosystems. They grow in soft mud and areas of slow-moving tides and in rivers with roots submerged; only the stalks and leaves are above water.
These dense palms provide shelter from the monsoon storms and floods as well as providing a home for birds and many species of aquatic animals. The palm’s fruit is a tasty snack or dessert and the palm leaves are used to thatch roofs throughout the village.
