Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
Hoi An is a gorgeous lantern-strewn city with a fascinating Ancient Town. However, there is more to Hoi An than the town center. Outdoor adventures are a wonderful way to see the natural areas around Hoi An. These five outdoor adventures of Hoi An include kayaking, biking, boating, swimming, and snorkeling. These family-friendly outdoor activities offer a chance to experience spectacular places most Hoi An visitors overlook.
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Where is Hoi An?
Hoi An is located on the central coast of Vietnam on the South China Sea. The town sits on the north bank of the Thu Bồn River, amid islands, canals, and beaches with great scenic beauty.
Hoi An was established as a bustling trading port in the 15th to 19th centuries. Merchants from all over Asia and Europe traded here. Hoi An’s architecture reflects this history, featuring Chinese temples, Japanese merchant houses, and French colonial buildings. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Hoi An retains its charm with lantern-lit streets, vibrant markets, and delectable cuisine.
The best time to visit is from February to April when the weather is not blazing hot (although it was pretty darn hot when I visited in early April). Fly into DaNang airport and take a 45-minute taxi ride to Hoi An.
Kayaking Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
A kayak tour is a unique way to explore the Thu Bon River and its channels weaving through the many islands near Hoi An. I did a day kayaking tour called Hoi An River Life Kayak Explorer, sponsored by Hoi An Kayak Tours. The trip is designed for more adventurous paddlers who want to see the local river life on the Thu Bon River while paddling 13-15 miles.
On the Thu Bon River, we paddled past fishing boats at work and huge nets strung over the water to be used at night. The nets have a light that attracts the fish. Then the net is winched up in the air to trap the fish.
The full-day kayak trip includes paddling along the waterfront of Hoi An Old Town for a wonderful water-level view of the lantern boats and historic buildings. After a riverside coffee break, we kayaked through the coconut palm forest to a craft village on an island. Here, two women wove multi-color mats out of dried sedge grasses. A kayaking outdoor adventure is the perfect way to see the quiet side of Hoi An.
Related post -> Best Kayaking in Hoi An Vietnam
Other Kayaking Tours in Hoi An
Hoi An Kayak Tours has shorter trips including a sunset paddle along the Hoi An waterfront and a sunrise tour to the ocean. The Coco Palm and Craft Village trip is a mini version of the day-long trip I did. You paddle on tiny rivers through the magical coco palm forests. After that, you stroll through the craft village of the mat weavers. It’s only 2 hours and beginning kayakers would enjoy it.
My recommended essential gear for a warm weather kayaking day trip with links
Clothes
Wide brim hat or baseball cap
Gear
Sunglasses with floating retainer
Related post -> 25 Best Kayaking Day Trips in the US
Biking Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
Rice Fields and Water Buffalo
A cycling journey through the verdant rice fields of Hoi An is the perfect way to experience the area’s rural charm. As you bike along narrow concrete paths, the emerald stalks of rice waving in the breeze invoke a sense of tranquility.
I did a DIY tour by bicycle. From Hoi An, take Cua Dai Street towards the beach. After about 3 kilometers, you will see the rice fields on the left. The easiest way to find them is to Google the Hoi An Four Seasons Villa as it’s right in the rice paddies.
There are a multitude of paths through the rice paddies, so I just explored. I was looking for water buffalo and I finally found some farmers with water buffalo that people were riding. Since I had seen water buffalo at the back of my hotel, the Quin Riverside Villa, near the Thu Bon River, I didn’t stop to see these.
Many hotels have bicycles available for their guests. Conversely, you can rent them in Hoi An for around $1-2 US dollars. Be aware that helmets are not usually available.
If you want to go to the rice fields with a group, this Rice Paddy Experience includes meeting with a rice farmer and interacting with water buffalos used to plow the fields.
Biking the Countryside
A bicycle ride through the landscapes outside of Hoi An town offers an immersive trip through life in Vietnam. There are traditional handicraft villages accessible by bicycle. The crafts include bronze casting, silk weaving, wood carving, and pottery. In addition, there are produce markets and organic farms to discover.
My favorite countryside bike trip was to Cam Thanh Village, the location of thick coconut palm forests and basket boat rides. The quiet roads pass rice fields with women farming in conical hats. Tropical fruit trees and farm stands selling vegetables abound. Tiny hamlets with old-style houses show up along the way. At one point I biked by a family drying Hoi An’s famous cao lau noodles in the sun.
Biking in the countryside is beautiful because you never know what you will discover. However, you will have an authentic glimpse of life in Vietnam.
Basket Boat Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
One of the most popular outdoor activities in Hoi An is a basket boat ride through the coconut palm forests of the Thu Bon River. These iconic round boats are made of bamboo covered with resin to make them waterproof. Basket boats were originally designed to circumvent taxes levied by the French on boats. Fishermen built these round baskets that “just so happened” to float to avoid the boat tax.
The village of Cam Thanh, known as the kingdom of coconut palms, is the best place to take a basket boat ride. I rode my bicycle out to the village. It took me about 45 minutes to bike the 6 km (3.5 mile) route to the village. You can also take this Basket boat trip that provides an air-conditioned van transport.
It costs 30,000 dong ($1.20 USD) for entry into the village. There are scores of companies providing basket boat tours. The going price in the village for the boat ride is 150,000 dong ($6 USD) for the 45 minute tour.
Basket Boat Ride Tips
Some visitors combine the basket boat ride with a cooking class. It’s a great way to extend you time in the active village. I also recommended visiting the Taboo bamboo workshop to see amazing things crafted from bamboo. I stopped by for a bit and was astounded by the bamboo craftsmanship.
The most important tip I have about this outdoor adventure is to go very early or on the last rides of the day. Once the tour buses show up, the river is mobbed with boats. I made the mistake of going at around 11 am. At first, the channel to the river was quiet and scenic. Once we emerged on the river, it was a riverbank to riverbank basket boats. On an open part of the river, you will see boat guides spinning the boats in a dizzying spiral.
I had a chance to paddle the basket boat. It’s not easy to navigate, but my experience with a sculling drawstroke helped me move the boat around. And since my guide had dropped the line tethering me to her on the shore, she was really glad I could paddle back to her!
Lastly, while my guide didn’t know English, she knew the word tip and used it near the end of the trip. Therefore, bring some cash to support the hard-working basket boat guides.
Snorkeling Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
The Cham Islands, situated off the coast of Hoi An, are an archipelago renowned for pristine beauty and rich marine biodiversity. The islands have some of the best snorkeling in Vietnam. I was scheduled to do a day of snorkeling there but, unfortunately, the trip was canceled by high winds. Even though I didn’t go, I’ll share what I learned about the snorkeling trip so you can go.
Cu Lao Cham, the main island, with its beautiful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and lush tropical forests is the destination of a tour to the Cham Islands. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring its unspoiled landscapes.
Many of the tours to the Cham Islands visit the natural and cultural attractions of Cu Lao Cham. If you are interested in this general excursion with one snorkel opportunity, book this tour. However, if you are like me and want maximum snorkel time, sign up for a full-day snorkeling trip that offers several chances to snorkel.
Beach Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
Hoi An has two popular beaches, An Bang and Cua Dai Beaches, with golden silky sand and lots of activity. Swimming and relaxing on the beach enjoying the ocean views is superb. Cua Dai Beach has palm trees for shade and it a bit quieter than An Bang Beach. There are spots to get food and drink at both beaches.
However, Hidden Beach in Hoi An is a secluded gem that offers a peaceful retreat away from the more crowded popular beaches. It is tucked between An Bang and Cua Dai. I recommend this beach for a tranquil retreat from the crowds.
I took a bicycle to the beaches. There are plenty of places to leave your bike and explore the beaches. It’s a 3-5 kilometer (2-3 mile) ride depending on which beach you visit.
Related post -> 4 Outdoor Adventures in Pai, Thailand You Will Love
Logistics of Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
Fly into DaNang airport to get to Hoi An. It’s about a 45-minute drive from the airport to Hoi An city. It’s best to book your transportation to Hoi An beforehand so that when you arrive jetlagged in DaNang, it’s all taken care of. I use 12GoAsia to book a taxi in advance. Your driver will be holding a sign with your name at arrivals for you. It’s a welcome sight in an unfamiliar place.
Accommodation in Hoi An
Accommodations in Hoi An range from homestays to luxury resorts. I choose a hotel outside the hustle and bustle of the city. The Quin Riverside Villa was my favorite hotel in all my travels in Vietnam. It is a peaceful hotel with a garden sitting area to enjoy the delicious breakfast offered to guests. The staff were so sweet and helpful. Plus, it was a short bike ride away from the city (they have free bikes). The highlight of my stay there was seeing water buffalo grazing by the river one morning.
Staying in touch with home
I’ve become a fan of E-sim cards for communication on international trips. An E-sim card can be bought online and easily installed on your phone before you travel. When you reach your destination, you simply turn on the E-sim in your settings and you have data to use when you are away from Wifi. There is certainly abundant Wifi in Vietnam, but when you are on a river or another outdoor adventure, an E-sim is essential.
I use an Airalo E-sim card for all my international travels. They are significantly less expensive than my phone carrier’s international charges. Plus, it’s easy to top them off when you run low on data.
Wrap Up of Outdoor Adventures in Hoi An
Without a doubt, outdoor adventures around Hoi An are the best way to experience the local life of the rural surroundings. Whether you explore on your own or take a tour, make sure to visit the quiet side of Hoi An. A trip to the countryside by boat or bike perfectly balances Hoi An’s colorful chaos. I thoroughly enjoyed adventuring outdoors during the day and then enjoying the splendid lights of Hoi An at night.
One final tip. While not specifically an outdoor adventure (although it’s outdoors), I was enchanted by the Hoi An Memories show. This grand spectacle with hundreds of costumed actors and dancers tells the ancient story of Hoi An through awe-inspiring storytelling and pageantry. It was located on its own island a short walk from my hotel, the Quin Riverside Villa.
Related Post -> A Spectacular Trekking Adventure in Sapa, Vietnam
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4 Comments
Marilyn · May 23, 2024 at 2:12 pm
I loved reading about your adventure cycling and having the opportunity to try out the basket boating.
Anna · May 23, 2024 at 3:32 pm
I had no idea there were so many cool things to do in Hoi An. I would never miss any of the five Outdoor Adventures! Thank you for sharing!
Josy A · May 23, 2024 at 6:46 pm
Okay, firstly those fishing nets with the lights are really cool! I have never seen anything like that so wowza! I also love the sound of the basket boats (especially crowds of basket boats!!)
You are always so good at finding the best possible adventures with paddles, bikes and legs and Hoi An looks brilliant!
p.s. did you get to try those noodles!?
Shaf · May 28, 2024 at 1:37 am
ive been dreaming about Hoi An for ageeeees! i went to Vietnam in 2014 but left Hoi An out altogether and ive lived to regret it since 😂🤣 definitely taking this as a sign!