Hoi An Ancient Town & Cam Thanh Bastket Boat Shore Excursions

The best part of this day is the contrast. You move from the quiet, rural waterways of Cam Thanh Coconut Village to the lantern-lined lanes of Hoi An Ancient Town, with a silk-making stop and local lunch between them. It gives you more than a quick old-town walk.

I like the port pickup and drop-off, especially on a cruise day, and I like that lunch, bottled water, transport, and entry fees are bundled into the $155 price. The main drawback is time: nine hours sounds generous, but much of the day is spent driving between Chan May Port and Hoi An.

Key points at a glance

• Three different sides of central Vietnam: See silk production, rural waterways, and Hoi An’s historic center in one day.
• Basket boat through Bay Mau Coconut Forest: Ride through the coconut groves and mangrove waterways of Cam Thanh.
• Port-to-port transport: Pickup begins at Chan May Port, and the guide and driver return you inside the port, about 200 meters from the cruise ship.
• Lunch is included: You can sample local dishes without having to organize another meal during the tour.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts no more than 20 people, a useful limit for a shore excursion.
• Helpful local contacts: Up Travel Vietnam has handled planning through people including Hannah, Celina, and Linh Linh, though your assigned guide is not specified in advance.

Why this shore excursion works well

This is a full-day outing built for people who want more than one postcard view of Hoi An. You see a working craft tradition, spend time on the water, eat lunch, and then have three hours in the old town. That variety is the tour’s strongest feature.

The day begins at Chan May Port, which is a practical advantage for cruise passengers. The stated meeting point is Chan May Port Car Rental on the road into the port, and the guide and driver drop you back inside the port, around 200 meters from your ship. That last detail matters. You do not have to arrange a second taxi from a town meeting point at the end of a long day.

The tour price is $155 per person. That is not a bargain-basement shore outing, but the cost covers a nine-hour day, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, lunch, all fees and taxes, an English-speaking guide, and transportation both ways. For a cruise passenger, the value comes from having the day organized around the port rather than piecing together separate taxis, a meal, and local activities.

The tradeoff is distance. The remaining hours outside the two main stops are travel time between Chan May Port and Hoi An in both directions. You should book this for variety and convenience, not because it gives you a slow, unhurried day in Hoi An alone.

From Chan May Port to the silk-making village

After pickup, the route takes you toward Hoi An. The first cultural stop is a traditional silk-weaving village, where you can see the work behind local silk production.

This is a useful opening because it gives you a look at a skilled local craft before the more active parts of the day. You are not simply being driven from the port to an old town and dropped into shops. The silk stop adds context to the handmade clothing and fabric you may see later in Hoi An.

The available details do not specify the exact village name, the length of the visit, or which stages of silk production will be demonstrated. Keep your expectations sensible. Think of it as a focused craft stop rather than a full textile course.

If you enjoy seeing how local goods are made, this part will likely be one of the more meaningful stops. If shopping is not your interest, it still gives the day a better balance before the basket boat ride and old-town walk.

Cam Thanh and the Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Cam Thanh Coconut Village is the rural heart of the outing. The area is known for coconut groves, mangrove waterways, and a river-based way of life. Here, the setting changes sharply from the port and the road. You spend about three hours in Cam Thanh, with the basket boat ride as the main draw.

The round basket boat is one of central Vietnam’s most recognizable local experiences. You travel through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, where the water routes pass among coconut trees and mangrove growth. The ride offers a close view of the watery environment rather than a distant look from a road or large sightseeing boat.

The description calls the ride thrilling, but the precise route, ride length, and boat arrangements are not provided. You should not assume that every part of the three-hour Cam Thanh visit is spent on the water. The stop includes time in the village and its surroundings as well.

I like this portion because it connects the scenery with local life. Cam Thanh is not just a photo stop. It is presented as a place where traditional river culture and rural activity remain part of the setting. You get a different sense of the Hoi An area before entering the old town.

There is also a practical point here. The tour is suitable for most people, according to the supplied information, but the basket boat is still a small watercraft. If you have concerns about balance, motion, or getting in and out of a boat, ask the provider before booking. No detailed accessibility information is supplied.

Lunch with local dishes

Lunch is included, which keeps the day moving and makes the $155 price easier to assess. You do not need to leave the group to search for a restaurant between Cam Thanh and the old town.

The meal is described as featuring local delicacies, though no menu is provided. That means you should expect regional food rather than choose from a fully described set menu. If you have dietary needs, contact Up Travel Vietnam before the tour, since the available details do not state what substitutions are possible.

A shared lunch can also be a useful pause. The morning combines road time and activities, and the meal gives you a chance to rest before walking through Hoi An. Bottled water is included as well, a small but welcome detail on a long day in central Vietnam.

Three hours in Hoi An Ancient Town

The second main stop is Hoi An Ancient Town, with about three hours set aside for exploring. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for preserved architecture, historic streets, and a mix of cultural influences.

Three hours is enough for a good introduction, but not enough to see every lane, building, shop, and museum at a relaxed pace. That is why the structure of the visit matters. You have time to walk with the guide and then free time to browse, shop, or simply enjoy the town at your own speed.

The included entry fee removes one small bit of planning. The guide can help you understand what you are seeing, while your free time lets you choose how to use the rest of the stop. You might look for handmade goods, local silk, or other souvenirs, but personal purchases are not included in the tour price.

Hoi An is at its best when you slow down enough to notice the details: the old facades, narrow streets, and signs of the town’s long trading connections. The tour does not promise a detailed museum program or a specific list of buildings, so the experience is likely to be a general guided visit rather than a specialist architecture walk.

That is both a strength and a limitation. First-time visitors who want a broad introduction should find the format useful. If you already know Hoi An well or want extended shopping time, three hours may feel short, especially after the drive from Chan May and the Cam Thanh stop.

Free time, shopping, and the right expectations

The free time in Hoi An is an important part of the day. A guided walk can show you the main areas, but free time lets you decide what feels most interesting. You can browse for souvenirs, take photographs, or enjoy the old town without having every minute filled by commentary.

The tour is not designed as a dedicated shopping trip. Personal expenses are not included, and the information does not specify particular stores or shopping stops. That gives you freedom, but it also means you should not expect a set shopping itinerary or guaranteed prices.

I would treat this time as a chance to get your bearings. If you find something you want to buy, remember that your group still has a port return ahead. Keep an eye on the meeting instructions from your guide and avoid leaving purchases or personal plans until the last minute.

Group size, guides, and the cruise-port setup

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach group. A group of this size can still move at a steady pace through the old town and keep the port return organized.

The guide is English-speaking and experienced, according to the tour details. Names connected with Up Travel Vietnam include Hannah, Celina, and Linh Linh. Hannah helped with planning and questions, Celina was identified as a local guide, and Linh Linh handled arrangements through Facebook and WhatsApp for another booking. These names are useful contacts to know, but the exact guide assigned to your date is not guaranteed.

The company has also handled more than one excursion for cruise passengers, including arrangements for Hanoi and Hoi An. That suggests the provider understands the needs of people working within a ship schedule. Still, you should confirm the pickup instructions and ship departure time directly with the provider before sailing.

The listed pickup point can look confusing because it is written as Chan May Port Car Rental on the road into the port. The important point is that the tour starts at Chan May Port and ends inside the port, close to the ship. Ask for clear directions in advance if your cruise line uses a separate terminal entrance.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this tour makes the most sense when you value convenience. The price includes the vehicle, guide, lunch, water, admission fees, taxes, and transport from Chan May Port to Hoi An and back. Booking those parts separately would take time and could create more chances for delay.

The price is less attractive if your cruise gives you easy independent transport and you only want to walk around Hoi An. In that case, the included Cam Thanh stop and basket boat ride are what make the package worthwhile. If you would skip the countryside and prefer a longer old-town visit, a simpler transfer may suit you better.

The maximum group size of 20 also helps support the price. You are paying for a structured day rather than a seat on a large, anonymous excursion. The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want to combine several experiences without handling the route themselves.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend this tour to a cruise passenger who wants a broad first look at Hoi An. It suits you if you like a mix of culture, nature, food, local craft, and free time instead of spending the entire day in one place.

It is also a good match if you prefer having a guide manage the route and port return. The air-conditioned vehicle and included water matter on a nine-hour outing, particularly when the day includes both road travel and walking.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the range of activities, though the boat portion and lack of detailed accessibility information deserve a question before booking. Most people can participate, but the provider does not give specific information about mobility equipment or step-free access.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long, slow exploration of Hoi An. The old town receives about three hours, and the full route includes travel in both directions. You will see more than one attraction, but you will not have unlimited time at any single stop.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and mobile tickets are available. Group discounts are offered, so larger parties should ask how the discount applies before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

Should you book this Hoi An shore excursion?

Book it if you want an organized, varied day from Chan May Port, especially if this is your first visit to Hoi An. The silk village, Cam Thanh basket boat, included lunch, and old town create a well-rounded route, while the port drop-off removes a major worry at the end of the day.

Skip it if you want to spend nearly all your time in Hoi An Ancient Town or prefer to explore independently. The drive takes a meaningful part of the day, and three hours in the old town will feel limited to anyone who wants a slow, detailed visit.

For most cruise passengers, the strongest reason to choose this tour is not one single attraction. It is the practical combination of rural Cam Thanh, a local craft stop, Hoi An’s historic center, and a planned return to the ship.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Chan May Port Car Rental on the road into Chan May Port in Mỹ An, Phú Lộc, Huế, Vietnam.

Where does the tour end?

The guide and driver return you inside Chan May Port, about 200 meters from your cruise ship.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours. The remaining time outside the main stops is used for travel between Chan May Port and Hoi An in both directions.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits a traditional silk-weaving village, Cam Thanh Coconut Village and Bay Mau Coconut Forest, and Hoi An Ancient Town.

Is the basket boat ride included?

The tour includes a basket boat ride through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch featuring local dishes is included in the tour price.

What else is included?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, all fees and taxes, admission for Hoi An Ancient Town, and an experienced English-speaking guide.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.