Hoi An Day Tours with Local Guide: Basket Boat & Lantern Release

5/5 - (1092 votes)
Coconut - Hoian Old Town - Lantern
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Duration

7 Hours

Pick Up

Da Nang | Hoian

Drop Off

Da Nang | Hoian

Group Size

12 Persons

Scenic Stopovers

Coconut Forest | Japanese Covered Bridge | Phuc Kien Assembly Hall | Ancient House | Hoian local Market

Overview Tour

Embark on a captivating journey with our Hoi An day tours with local guide, designed to showcase the very best of Central Vietnam’s culture and nature in just one afternoon. Starting with a convenient pick-up from either Da Nang or Hoi An, this expert-led excursion takes you from the vibrant waterways of the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest to the timeless charm of Hoi An Ancient Town. You will paddle a traditional bamboo basket boat, wander through lantern-lit alleys, release a floating lantern on the poetic Hoai River, and savor an authentic local dinner. It is the ultimate hassle-free experience guided by a knowledgeable local insider.

Are you ready to experience the true magic of Central Vietnam in just one perfect afternoon? Leave the crowded tourist buses behind and dive straight into the heart of local life! Catch the cool breeze in a lush coconut jungle, step back in time along lantern-lit ancient streets, and watch the river glow with your own wishes.

Hoi An day tours with local guide

Hoi An day tours with local guide

Highlights of Hoi An day tours with local guide

  • Expert Local Guide: Explore hidden gems and hear fascinating historical stories that only a local insider knows.
  • Bamboo Basket Boat Adventure: Spin and paddle through the lush waterways of the Bay Mau Nipa Coconut Forest.
  • Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour: Admire the beautifully preserved Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, and assembly halls.
  • Magical Hoai River Boat Ride: Experience the enchanting nightscape of Hoi An and release your own wishing lantern onto the river.
  • Authentic Local Dinner: Indulge in a delicious dinner featuring Hoi An’s famous culinary specialties at a handpicked local restaurant.

What Customers Say?

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ExcellentTrustindex star 1Trustindex star 2Trustindex star 3Trustindex star 4Trustindex star 54.93112 reviews
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ExcellentGoogle star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 54.9127 reviews
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ExcellentGetyourguide star 1Getyourguide star 2Getyourguide star 3Getyourguide star 4Getyourguide star 54.8284 reviews
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Excellent284 reviews
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Fransina profile picture
Fransina
2 days ago
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Our tourguide 'Sam' Hieuvan was very knowledgeable about the area and the history. I sure learnt allot about Vietnam. The train trip was lovely. definitely good value for money. A day well spend.
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GetYourGuide Traveller
10 days ago
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An unserer Guide hat sich sehr bemüht. Die Zugfahrt war ein toller Erlebnis und wir wären gerne die ganze Strecke gefahren. Sehr gutes Mittagessen.
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Phillipa Press
12 days ago
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+2
We had such a wonderful day exploring Hue with An as our guide. From the moment we met him, we felt completely at ease, and he made the whole day so enjoyable. The train journey from Da Nang through the Hải Vân Pass was a real highlight for us. The scenery was beautiful, and the dining car was an experience in itself, with live music, salt coffee and breakfast. It was such a fun and memorable way to travel. We visited Lang Co Beach, admired some gorgeous local pearls, then moved on and explored the Hue Historic Citadel followed by a delicious lunch at a lovely local restaurant. We also visited the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady and the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh — both fascinating and very different experiences. What really made the day special was An. He was incredibly knowledgeable; He shared stories and cultural insights which brought the places we visited to life, and we particularly enjoyed his tips about feng shui. We laughed, learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with him and we had a real sense of the history, culture and everyday life of the area. A truly memorable day and one we’ll look back on very fondly. Thank you, An, for making our visit to Hue so special
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Kim profile picture
Kim
16 days ago
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this was an exceptionally well presented a d curated experience, and Sam was a superb guide - knowledge, patient, well organized and amiable. He provided much historical and anecdotal information and was a tremendous support to each person on the trip
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GetYourGuide Traveller
16 days ago
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It was wonderful day - full of history. Sam - our tour guide was brilliant- so informative and organizing everything so well. Thank you for the nice experience and nice trip.
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Shweta profile picture
Shweta
16 days ago
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Did the Hue day trip from Danang with Sam and it was honestly one of the best days of my Vietnam trip! Started with the beautiful Heritage Train ride - such a scenic and unique experience. Then Sam took us to the stunning Lagoon, the majestic Hue Citadel, a peaceful Pagoda, and the royal Tomb. Every place was perfectly timed, no rush, and Sam explained the history so well with so much passion. What made it extra special was Sam himself. He was such an amazing host - so caring, always checking on everyone, making sure we were comfortable, hydrated, and enjoying. And he arranged the most delicious lunch! Authentic Hue food, so flavourful - one of the best meals had in Vietnam. If you are planning a day trip to Hue from Danang, go with Sam. He doesn't just take you places, he makes you feel taken care of. Highly, highly recommend! Thank you Sam for such a memorable day!
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Stephen profile picture
Stephen
16 days ago
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Going by train was a fantastic way to see the Hai Van Pass. The Imperial City and other sites in Hue were really interesting, made all the more so through our guide, Sam's, very detailed and passionate explanation of the places we visited. The lunch was very enjoyable. Highly recommended..
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Denise profile picture
Denise
16 days ago
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Sam provide an exciting knowledgeable experience Very helpful when my leg became swollen. The drive, hoang, is an exceptional driver. Very smooth and skilled. The 2 made this tour exceptional. Thank you!!
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Kamran S profile picture
Kamran S
17 days ago
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This is an excellent travel agency This is an excellent tour company. They arranged a very friendly and knowledgeable guide for us to visit Hue citadel. They also arranged our transfer to An Hoi. The driver Alex was very friendly and cooperative. We had a good time.
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Eliana profile picture
Eliana
17 days ago
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Sam the handsome tour guide is the best. So considerate and easy going. Definitely the best tour we had in hue.
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Madisson Vande profile picture
Madisson Vande
17 days ago
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Sam was phenomenal as our guide! His knowledge was top tier and added such value to the trip. He got us seats on the train on the best side for the view! We wish he could be a tour for a week to see all the sights in Hue!
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Glenys profile picture
Glenys
24 days ago
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Sam was amazing very funny and helpful. Really lovely guy and good at his job. Unflappable and good pace. Thanks Sam will recommend
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Trail776174 profile picture
Trail776174
35 days ago
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Smooth transit with Alex It was a smooth and safe trip at Hue! Thanks to Alex, for showing us around and for bringing us to Madam Thu, where we enjoyed our lunch!
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Jordi d profile picture
Jordi d
39 days ago
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Hai Van Pass Alex el mejor conductor! Hizo del viaje una experiencia muy agradable. Lo repetiria 100%.
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Arini Iko profile picture
Arini Iko
54 days ago
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All your drivers were excellent. All the sightseeing that you gave us was amazing. Thank you very much for your hospitality. Would recommend your drivers to anyone and your expertise with helping us to see many sights in Da Nang and surrounding areas. Aussie
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GrandTour785524 profile picture
GrandTour785524
54 days ago
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So organised! “I found DMZ tours through chat GPT and Tam was great. Communication was top notch, and the system worked well, we saw a lot and I learned a lot. Tam was knowledgeable, and a great companion. Id commend him to you.”
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Amanda Godivier profile picture
Amanda Godivier
56 days ago
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Friendliness.. Thank you to our driver Mr Son for driving us while we were on our holidays. Beautiful conversations we had and thank you for the beautiful gift. Vietnam will stay in my heart and I hope to come back one day. Very kind, friendly
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Rebecca Legarth profile picture
Rebecca Legarth
75 days ago
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We used WM travel for a number of longer transports through Vietnam. They have us good advice on things to see on the way. They were always very punctual and reliable and the drivers were very helpful, friendly and drove responsibly and safely. High standard vehicles
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Mobile31004515996 profile picture
Mobile31004515996
78 days ago
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Great Experience I just completed a 9 day trip through 4 cities in Veitnam with VM Travel and couldn't have been more satisfied. The guides they provided were pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable, can't say enough good things about them. They were on top of the transportation involved, meals, any special needs of anyone. Really was very impressed with the whole program and would recommend giving them a shot in any Veitnam trips.
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renae sidwell profile picture
renae sidwell
86 days ago
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Our guide Thanh (John) was incredible. Shared his knowledge and insight about the religious and cultural aspects of the areas we visited and pointed out things that added so much more meaning to our experience. We felt safe and comfortable as we were guided through multiple stops, and picked up and dropped back to our accommodation in total comfort
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Hoang H profile picture
Hoang H
91 days ago
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Chuyến du lịch Huế Hướng dẫn viên nhiệt tình, đồ ăn và mọi thứ đều rất ok. Gia đình đã có 1 cuộc trải nghiệm tuyệt vời
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Friederike profile picture
Friederike
93 days ago
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Beautiful Tour von Hue nach Hoi An With Tom we have a very nice Driver, who drives us from Hue to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass. We feel all the time very safe with him. He tells us a lot about Vietnam, and we enjoy the Trip so much! Everything was Perfect, and if we are some day back in Vietnam we would like to Drive with Tom again.
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Mr Vee profile picture
Mr Vee
104 days ago
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+0
We visited the offices and Jamie was so helpful, polite and friendly. Welcomed us even before we walked into the door. We went through a package for Bana Hill. We were looking at just the ticket. No pushing or any pressure. It was me who asked for the package tour and she gave us a great deal. Thank you so much to Jamie for helping us and giving us a great deal. We can’t wait for our trip. Definitely come here rather than the Sun website which is very confusing, come here and speak to them and get it sorted 👌🏽.
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Ankit Maheshwari profile picture
Ankit Maheshwari
104 days ago
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Very good service..took few tours from them..all were good....no hassle . everything went super fine.lickup etc were exact on the time.. Being vegetarian i asked them to arrange veg meals ..In the tour and they arranged it..with variety of options..
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Guowei Zeng profile picture
Guowei Zeng
125 days ago
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+22
We went on a day tour with VM Travel to Hue. Sam was our tour guide. We started the day on the heritage train to Hue. It was quite an experience for the children. We enjoyed the ride and the van was there to take us to a oyster farm and pearl centre once we disembarked. We went to the citadel tour and had a wonderful lunch afterwards. We enjoyed a short trip to the local market. The freeze dried strawberries are the best value for money. Then we went to the tomb of the 12th emperor. The ride back to Da Nang was smooth as well. Highly recommend. Sam explained the history very well and took good care of us.
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Nicholas Goh profile picture
Nicholas Goh
140 days ago
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A huge shoutout to Mr. Thor for being such an amazing tour guide during our trip to Hoi An! From the day before the tour itself, he communicated with us very clearly and professionally providing detailed instructions on the meeting point, explaining the itinerary well, and making everything easy and stress-free for us. Throughout the tour, his explanations about the history and culture of Hoi An were informative, engaging, and easy to follow. What stood out the most was his patience, kindness, and attentiveness, especially since we were travelling with two young children. He was extremely understanding and always made sure we were comfortable throughout the trip. We were also joined by two other travellers from France and India, and Mr. Thor did a wonderful job bringing everyone together. By the end of the tour, we genuinely felt like friends, which made the experience even more memorable and special. VM Travel is truly fortunate to have someone like Mr. Thor on their team. His attitude, professionalism, and warm personality made a lasting impression on us, and he absolutely deserves recognition and appreciation for the excellent work he does. Highly recommended!
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Carla K profile picture
Carla K
155 days ago
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Goede, fijne manier van reizen! In Hoi An ben ik opgehaald door Son. Hij heeft mij onderweg naar Hue een aantal mooie stops laten zien waaronder de Marble Mountains, aan het einde van fantastische route de Hai van Pass Lang Co Beach en Lap An Lagoon. Goede chauffeur en uiterst vriendelijk. 2 dagen later stond hij weer voor m’n hotel in Hue voor een lange rit richting Phong Nha. Onderweg wat over de oorlog gepraat en heeft hij mij de verwoestingen laten zien. Eenmaal de nieuwe snelweg op reden we al snel Phong binnen. Ik was erg blij met Son als chauffeur 🙏
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Companion00689945385 profile picture
Companion00689945385
166 days ago
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Great communication from them after booking tickets to Ba Na Hills Booked our tickets online with VM Travel for Ba Na Hills whilst we were in Da Nang. They responded immediately with confirmation and advised that I’d have the tickets the following morning via email & WhatsApp (as we were going the day following). We had the tickets early morning on the day before we were going. Their communication with us was fabulous. Highly recommend them when booking tickets
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Dư Triêu profile picture
Dư Triêu
176 days ago
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Vị trí cạnh bờ biển sơn trà
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carlotta ricci profile picture
carlotta ricci
181 days ago
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Li ho contattati per acquistare il biglietto per il treno panoramico da Da nang a Hue, sono stati veramente disponibili, gentili e preparati! Affidatevi a loro!😊

Itinerary

13:30 – 14:15 | Pick-up and Departure

Our professional local guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby in Da Nang or Hoi An. Enjoy a scenic drive toward the countryside of Hoi An.

14:15 – 15:45 | Eco-Adventure at Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Arrive at the lush coconut forest. Climb into a traditional bamboo basket boat rowed by friendly locals. You will navigate through the mangrove canals, watch a thrilling basket boat spinning performance, and even try your hand at crab fishing.

16:00 – 17:30 | Walking Tour of Hoi An Ancient Town

Head to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Your local guide will lead you through the pedestrian-only streets, sharing the rich history of the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and ancient heritage houses.

17:30 – 18:15 | Lantern Floating on Hoai River

As dusk falls and the lanterns light up the town, board a small wooden boat on the Hoai River. Hand-release your own colorful paper lantern onto the water while making a wish—a truly magical signature Hoi An experience.

18:15 – 19:00 | Local Dinner & Tour Conclusion

Sit down at a charming local restaurant to enjoy a traditional dinner (featuring authentic dishes like Cao Lau, Hoian chicken rice, or white rose dumplings). After dinner, our driver will transfer you safely back to your hotel in Hoi An or Da Nang. Tour ends around 19:00.

Coconut Forest & Hoian Old Town with release Lantern

Included/Excluded

  • Round-trip transfer from hotels in Da Nang or Hoi An by A/C vehicle.
  • Experienced, English-speaking local tour guide.
  • Entrance fees for Hoi An Ancient Town and Bay Mau Coconut Forest.
  • Bamboo basket boat ride and local boat trip on Hoai River.
  • Flower lantern for floating.
  • Authentic local dinner at a restaurant.
  • Bottled mineral water during the tour.
  • Personal expenses and shopping.
  • Beverages/drinks during dinner.
  • Gratuities/Tips for the guide, driver, and boat rowers (optional but appreciated).

Tour Price

Price (USD/Person)Group size 1-12 person
$ 34
Above 12 pax please Contact WhatsApp Now!

FAQ

Absolutely! Our Hoi An day tours with local guide include convenient door-to-door pick-up and drop-off services from hotels in both Da Nang and Hoi An.

We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and breathable clothing suitable for moving around. Don't forget your camera, sunglasses, sunscreen for the afternoon sun, and a bit of cash for personal drinks or souvenirs.

Yes, it is very safe. Life jackets are provided for all guests and are mandatory during the boat rides. The local rowers are highly experienced. If you prefer a calm ride without the energetic "boat spinning" performance, just let your guide know!

Yes, we can easily accommodate dietary restrictions. Please inform us of your food allergies or vegetarian preferences at the time of booking so we can arrange a wonderful alternative meal for you at the local restaurant.

The tour runs rain or shine. In case of light rain, we provide rain ponchos, and the basket boats have large umbrellas. Hoi An Ancient Town actually looks incredibly romantic in the rain! If severe weather conditions occur, we will contact you to reschedule or offer a full refund.

Tour's Location

Coconut - Hoian Old Town - Lantern

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