Hoi An Fishing Village

Hoi An Fishing Village: A Morning with Local Fishermen

The Thu Bon River has shaped life in Hoi An for centuries, long before the town’s lanterns and old-world charm drew visitors. Even today, fishing boats slip out before dawn, and by mid-morning, riverside families are already busy mending nets, patching hulls, and laying out the day’s catch in Hoi An Fishing Village.

The day starts in one of these fishing hamlets, where your guide leads you through streets and shorelines that have barely changed in generations. It’s a chance to experience a way of life that still revolves around the river, far from the crowds of the Ancient Town.

Next comes a ride by traditional wooden boat, following the river toward the point where it opens into the sea. Local fishermen demonstrate techniques passed down through generations before handing you a traditional round net to try for yourself.

From there, the journey shifts into the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, a hidden network of channels shaded by nipa palms. Here, you’ll board a round basket boat, a design widely believed to have evolved during the French colonial period, when boats were taxed by size and a “basket” simply didn’t count as one. Gliding through the quiet waterways, it’s hard to imagine this same forest once sheltered local people and soldiers during the Vietnam War. Today, Hoi An Fishing Village and its surrounding waterways offer one of the region’s most peaceful escapes.

The morning wraps up with a simple seafood lunch, prepared using the day’s catch—a fitting final taste of life along the Thu Bon River.

Best for: families, food lovers, and travellers looking to experience local life beyond Hoi An’s Ancient Town.

Best time: year-round; mornings bring cooler air and calmer water.

Duration: roughly half a day.

Good to know: a relaxed mix of walking and boating, with a hands-on fishing lesson included.