Hoi An is preparing a new tourist experience at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, one of the most popular attractions outside the Old Town. The new tour, called “Visit Cam Thanh – Listen to the Coconuts Tell Stories,” is expected to launch in November 2026.
The new experience will build on the famous basket-boat rides already offered in Cam Thanh, but add traditional crafts, local culture, folk performances and a closer look at life along the waterways.
What Is the New Cam Thanh Coconut Forest Tour?
The new tour is being developed by local authorities as an expanded experience for visitors to Cam Thanh, also known as Bay Mau Coconut Forest.
Instead of focusing only on a basket-boat ride through the coconut palms, the new route will combine several elements of local life and culture. Visitors are expected to explore the water coconut ecosystem, see traditional crafts and experience Vietnamese folk performances.
The planned experience will include activities connected with coconut and bamboo crafts, water coconut products and the traditional river life of the Cam Thanh area.
What Will Visitors See?
The program is designed around several different experiences rather than a single attraction.
- Basket-boat rides through the coconut forest
- Traditional coconut and bamboo crafts
- Demonstrations of local handicrafts
- Traditional Vietnamese folk singing
- Basket-boat performances
- Traditional fishing and sea-worship performances
- Opportunities to interact with the local community
Performances planned for the route include ba trao and cau ngu, traditional rituals connected with fishing communities, as well as fishing songs, bai choi, folk songs and ho khoan call-and-response singing.
The facilities currently being prepared include a visitor reception area, exhibition space, craft demonstration house, performance facilities and additional experience zones. Local authorities say the structures will use materials such as bamboo, coconut, wood and nipa palm leaves to fit into the natural surroundings.
Why Cam Thanh Coconut Forest Is Already Popular
Cam Thanh Coconut Forest is not a new attraction. Its basket boats have become one of the signature experiences around Hoi An, particularly for first-time visitors looking for something outside the historic centre.
The forest is made up of waterways surrounded by dense nipa palms. The landscape is very different from Hoi An Ancient Town, which makes the area an easy addition to a wider Hoi An itinerary.
If you have never tried the experience, our Hoi An Basket Boat Ride Guide explains what the ride is actually like and how to avoid overpaying.
What Is Different About the New Tour?
The biggest difference is that the new route is designed to turn the existing basket-boat experience into a broader cultural attraction.
Rather than simply taking a boat through the coconut palms, visitors will be able to combine the natural environment with traditional crafts, performances and community experiences.
That could make Cam Thanh particularly interesting for travelers who have already explored Hoi An Ancient Town and want to see more of the surrounding area.
For a first visit to the city, it can also fit naturally alongside the historic centre. Our Hoi An for First-Time Visitors Guide covers where to stay, what to see, how to get around and how long to spend in the city.
When Will the New Tour Open?
The new “Visit Cam Thanh – Listen to the Coconuts Tell Stories” tour is currently expected to launch in November 2026.
Local authorities are still completing the facilities and visitor areas, so final details such as the exact opening date, ticket price and operating schedule have not yet been announced.
That means travelers planning a November or December trip should check the latest information before making the tour part of a fixed itinerary.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
If you want to visit Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, staying in Hoi An is the easiest option. The attraction is close enough to combine with the Old Town, while the surrounding area offers a quieter alternative to staying directly in the historic centre.
You can find a hotel in Hoi An based on whether you prefer to stay in the Old Town, around the riverside or closer to the countryside and Cam Thanh.
For travelers planning to spend several days in the area, it is also worth comparing accommodation in Hoi An with hotels closer to the beach. Your choice of base can make a noticeable difference to how easily you can combine the Ancient Town, Cam Thanh and the coast.
Should You Visit Cam Thanh?
Yes, particularly if you are spending at least two days in Hoi An.
The existing basket-boat ride is already one of the area’s more distinctive experiences. The new tour should add another reason to visit by combining the boat ride with local crafts, performances and cultural activities.
For first-time visitors, Cam Thanh works well as a half-day trip outside the Old Town. For returning visitors, the new cultural program could provide a reason to revisit an attraction they may have already seen.
Bottom Line
Hoi An is adding a new attraction to one of its most popular tourist areas. The “Visit Cam Thanh – Listen to the Coconuts Tell Stories” tour is expected to launch in November 2026 and will combine basket boats, the coconut forest, traditional crafts, folk performances and local community experiences.
There are still no confirmed ticket prices or final operating details, so travelers should treat the November launch as the current expectation rather than a guaranteed opening date.
For now, the existing Cam Thanh basket-boat experience remains the main way to explore the coconut forest. The new tour could make the area considerably more interesting once it opens.
Source
Information based on Tuoi Tre News, September 3, 2026.
Build your Vietnam route — free.