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Located at Hoai, De Vong, and Thu Bon Rivers confluence, this area was naturally primed for growth. Coconut trees flourished, quickly forming Bay Mau Coconut Forest. The 200-year-old forest has expanded beyond the original name (7 old Vietnamese yards), now covering 100 hectares.
Coconut palms growing densely along the riverbank
Bay Mau Coconut Forest has been praised as a second Southwest Vietnam. Many visitors are surprised to find a landscape reminiscent of the Mekong Delta in Central Vietnam, a region known for windswept coasts. Join Asia King Travel on a waterway tour along the coconut forest in this article.
More surprisingly, it's quite close to Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province. Bay Mau Coconut Forest is about 6 kilometers south of the ancient town, but you'll start seeing coconut trees lining the riverbanks halfway there. Many choose to go by bicycle or motorbike, so they can stop to take beautiful photos.
Suggested for you: Hoi An Countryside Excursion
The most scenic route to the coconut forest is along Thu Bon River from Hoi An Ancient Town. Take Ly Thuong Kiet or Nguyen Duy Hieu Street and turn onto Tran Nhan Tong Street, which will lead you directly there. On the way, many stunning scenery of the ancient town and coconut trees await you.
The route from the ancient town to the coconut forest is filled with scenic views. Source: VnExpress
Anyone in Da Nang or Hoi An can take an equally beautiful coastal route. From Da Nang, take Lac Long Quan Street towards Hoi An City. Turn right onto Vo Chi Cong Street from Lac Long Quan to reach Bay Mau Coconut Forest. It's incredibly easy, isn't it?
The best time to visit Bay Mau Coconut Forest is between April and July for tourist activities. You can combine your Hoi An Ancient Town trip with a coconut forest excursion. However, the weather can get quite hot. Visiting a month before or after may be a more comfortable experience.
Remember to bring a hat as there's no shade when you're out on the river
To avoid the crowds, consider visiting in the early morning or after 3:30 PM. The coconut forest's services operate almost year-round, so you won't miss out on any activities. In winter, the forest closes earlier, a better reason to visit in the summer.
Previously, visitors could enjoy the coconut forest for free. At that time, there were no concrete plans, limited investment in services, and most activities were spontaneous. So no admission fee was charged.
Today, community-based tourism in the coconut forest is thriving, with significant investment in professional services by both the government and locals. The entrance fee for Bay Mau coconut forest listed by service providers, is as follows:
This fee includes a tour around the area, a basket boat ride, and crab fishing. Additionally, a wooden boat rental service for VND 450,000/up to 6 passengers for a 45-minute ride. You might also need an extra VND 30,000 - 50,000 for motorbike or car parking.
The boatmen will guide you through the waterways and share fascinating stories about the area. Non-motorized basket boats, propelled only by humans are an iconic sight in Bay Mau Coconut Forest. These boats will take you through clear water channels, lined with green coconut palms.
Colorful basket boats drifting on the river
The "artists" skillfully maneuvering basket boats will leave a lasting impression. Untrained and self-taught, these local boatmen have created a one-of-one dance. They control the boat with incredible speed and agility.
Keep your balance! Source: Tapchidulich
You can even sign up to ride in one of these dancing boats and cheer on boatmen. But don't get too carried away, or they might just… capsize the boat! It's a thrilling yet unforgettable experience.
Similar to the Mekong Delta, the coconut forest is the mud crab’s habitat. Locals here rely on mud crab fishing for their livelihood, while it's a fun activity for tourists.
An extra protein for your meal
Fishermen will provide you with rods and live shrimp bait. You can cast your line when the basket boat stops in a muddy, shallow area. After a few minutes, you might catch some small crabs. While not a big harvest, it's a rewarding experience for your efforts.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest tourist area also features a space for traditional Vietnamese folk games. Blindfolded pot smashing, balance biking, fishing, net casting, etc. are just some activities you and your friends can enjoy.
Also plenty of other recreational activities on land. Source: Collected
Banana blossom salad is a simple yet cherished dish in Hoi An. It's made with shredded banana blossoms, mixed with shrimp, herbs, fish sauce, roasted peanuts, and more. These simple ingredients create a surprisingly delightful flavor. The salad is a harmonious blend of sour, sweet, salty, spicy, and tangy notes.
The coconut forest naturally has an abundance of coconuts, and coconut water sweet soup is one of your go-to coconut dishes. This refreshing balanced sweetness dessert is perfect for a summer day.
Coconut water sweet soup has a sweet and refreshing taste to beat the summer heat
Marinated meat is wrapped in corn husk and grilled over charcoal until fragrant. It's then rolled in rice paper with fresh herbs. Dipped in sweet and sour sauce, it's a dish that's hard to resist.
If you've already experienced Hoi An Ancient Town's peaceful and romantic charm, how about visiting this destination on your next trip? Discover the beauty of the Mekong Delta's river life in Central Vietnam. Contact Asia King Travel for a basket boat ride in Bay Mau Coconut Forest!
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