FREE EBOOK
Vietnam Travel Guide​
Hoi An Countryside Tour: 7-in-one-tour
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
4.9/5 [from 230+ reviews on Tripadvisor]
Travelers’ Choice 2025 and 2026
From$126per person
Depends on group size and travel dates.
Tour overview
Overview
This private Hoi An countryside bike tour is a full-day journey through local villages, scenic farmland, and peaceful waterways. You’ll cycle through the countryside, ride a basket boat, meet farmers and fishermen, and learn traditional crafts — all in one thoughtfully designed experience. With hands-on activities like buffalo riding, lantern making, and a cooking class, it’s a fun and immersive way to connect with local life beyond the Ancient Town. Ideal for travelers looking for variety, nature, and culture in one day.
Tour highlights
Highlights
- Cycle past shrimp farms, rice paddies, and water buffalo on quiet countryside roads
- Paddle a bamboo basket boat through the water coconut palm forest and try crab fishing
- Choose between riding a buffalo or making a traditional lantern with local artisans
- Join local farmers in the vegetable gardens of Tra Que village and learn how to grow herbs
- Cook classic Vietnamese dishes in a hands-on class and enjoy a full traditional lunch
Tour video
Watch a short video of this tour
Price and availability
Book this tour
Pay securely by card or PayPal. No PayPal account needed. See the cancellation terms.
Or
Questions, changes or another way to pay?
- Have a question about this tour
- Want to change or add something
- Prefer to pay by cash or bank transfer
- Have a special request or need help booking
Step by step
Itinerary
8:00 AM :
Hotel pickup and bike fitting
Your guide meets you at your hotel for a quick briefing before helping you get set up with your bicycle. Once ready, you’ll start cycling out toward the countryside, heading for Cam Thanh Village.
8:45 AM :
Ride through rural landscapes
Enjoy the fresh air as you pass shrimp farms, duck ponds, buffalo in the fields, and rows of bamboo along the road. There are plenty of chances to stop for quick photos and take in the peaceful scenery.
9:00 AM :
Basket boat ride in Cam Thanh
Hop into a round bamboo basket boat and paddle through the water coconut palm forest — a unique feature of this coastal region. Try your hand at crab fishing and learn about local life from the boat rowers.
10:00 AM :
Visit Thanh Nam fishing village
Continue cycling to a nearby fishing village still active today. Meet local fishermen and see their daily catch — from squid to crab — while learning how traditional fishing has adapted to modern times.
10:30 AM :
Choose your next activity
You’ll have a choice between two local experiences:
- Buffalo riding – Climb onto a gentle buffalo with guidance from local farmers and snap some fun photos.
- Lantern making – Learn how to make a classic Hoi An lantern and take it home as a souvenir.
11:30 AM :
Arrive at Tra Que herb village
Cycle a short distance to Tra Que, a small organic farming village known for its fresh herbs and vegetables. Sip a welcome drink and stroll through the gardens while meeting local farmers.
12:15 PM :
Farm with the locals
Join farmers in the fields and learn how to weed, prepare soil, plant vegetables, and water the crops. It’s light work and a fun way to connect with local traditions.
1:00 PM :
Foot bath with herbal plants
Take a short break and relax with a foot soak using traditional herbal remedies grown in the village.
1:15 PM :
Cooking class at Tra Que
Now it’s time to cook! Learn how to make a few classic dishes like banh xeo (crispy rice pancakes) and tam huu (a fresh spring roll). Your guide will help you with each step.
2:15 PM :
Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch
Sit down to enjoy the full meal you’ve prepared, along with several other regional specialties (usually a total of 7 dishes). It's a satisfying and tasty break before the afternoon activity.
Lunch
3:15 PM :
Boat trip on the Thu Bon River
Head to the nearby Bach Dang dock and board a small boat with local fishermen. Cruise along the Thu Bon River and try your luck casting a net the traditional way. Enjoy views of the waterway as you continue toward the peaceful Dai Chiem estuary.
4:00 PM :
End of tour and return to hotel
After the boat ride, your guide will take you back to your hotel by car or bike, depending on the final location and your preference. Expect to arrive around 4:00 PM, with a full day of local memories behind you.
Included and not included
Included
- Pick up / Drop off at hotel
- Bicycle (Martin)
- Guide: English or French
- Entrance fee ticket (TrĂ Quế)
- Cold water / Cold towels / Morning Tea
- Cooking class
- Lantern Making / Buffalo riding
- Boat trip
- Lunch
Not included
- Insurance
- Beverages during meals
- Other personal expenses
From$126per person
Depends on group size and travel dates.
Tour information
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What happens if it rains during the tour?
The tour still runs in light rain. We recommend bringing a waterproof jacket or poncho. In case of heavy rain or flooding, we’ll reschedule or offer a refund.
Can I do the tour if I don’t know how to ride a bike?
Yes — let us know in advance, and we can arrange a private driver to follow the group or adjust the itinerary so you can still enjoy the other activities.
Is the buffalo riding safe?
Yes. The buffalo are trained and guided by experienced local farmers. It's a calm, short activity designed for fun and photo opportunities — not a long ride.
Can children join the tour?
Absolutely. This tour is family-friendly, and we can provide smaller bikes or child seats. Activities like farming and cooking are especially fun for kids.
Is there a vegetarian option for the cooking class and lunch?
Yes, we can accommodate vegetarian or other dietary needs. Just let us know in advance so we can prepare suitable ingredients.
Can I choose both the lantern making and buffalo riding?
The tour includes time for one of the two. If you'd like to try both, we can customize the itinerary for a small extra fee or extend the tour slightly.
Is the boat trip on the river optional?
The boat ride is included and happens at the end of the tour. If you prefer not to join, let your guide know — we can arrange a transfer back to your hotel.
Will I get to keep the lantern I make?
Yes! If you choose the lantern making activity, you’ll take your handmade lantern home as a unique souvenir.
Guest reviews
What travelers say about traveling with us
Short summaries of reviews on Tripadvisor. Reviews in other languages are translated.
C
Couple on day tours from Hoi An
Rated 5 out of 5
The long wait
After a four-year wait because of the pandemic, we booked two day tours from Hoi An. The army jeep tour over the Hai Van Pass was so much fun, and our guide showed us the best photo spots and shared the local history. At the crowded Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills our guide tried his best, but it was too noisy and I lost interest in listening. We enjoyed other parts of the park and the buffet lunch.
Y
Ydie & Petra
Rated 5 out of 5
Hoi An, a motorbike tour, the Hai Van Pass, a cool-off at a waterfall and the Marble Mountains
We enjoyed our motorbike day from Hoi An from the first minute: the Hai Van Pass, a cool-off at a small waterfall and the Marble Mountains. Our two drivers were such nice men to ride with, calm and safe on the road. Personal contact, very customer-focused and a super service. It was more than worth the money.
A
Alison
Rated 5 out of 5
Amazing half-day tour to Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula
We loved the Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula tour. Our guide was an excellent host, showing us the beautiful Marble Mountains and Monkey Mountain. He even stopped along the way to show us a family of monkeys. We would highly recommend it!
N
Nicoline H
Rated 5 out of 5
Unburdened
The bike ride and the cooking workshop in Hoi An were amazing, like all our tours. One-on-one with a local makes the experience complete, with nice conversations with the English-speaking guide. I arranged the hotels myself, and our contact person arranged all tours, transfers and tickets. We were told the day before each activity.
E
E. & C. Allard
Rated 5 out of 5
Don't hesitate, book an unforgettable trip with Local Vietnam
Hoi An is a cozy old town, with the river full of boats decorated with lanterns, the night market, the tailor shops, the beautiful countryside for a bike ride and the little eateries where the food is delicious. We also recommend tasting the many coffees, such as egg coffee and salted iced coffee.
J
Jacco
Rated 5 out of 5
What security, quality and service!
Hoi An was one of the highlights of our three-and-a-half-week family trip. Great in every way! Even though it is extremely touristy, it was super fun. Our tip for Hoi An: Cham Island.
J
Joost D
Rated 5 out of 5
Everything taken care of down to the last detail
Our tours were of good to very good quality, very informative and excellently organized. We had booked them all from the Netherlands, and the day before each tour we got a heads-up of the pickup time. For Hoi An, we highly recommend the private car transfer from Hue and the Hoi An street food tour.
T
Two sisters on a four-week trip
Rated 5 out of 5
Book your dream trip in Vietnam with Local Vietnam
Hoi An was one of the highlights of our four-week trip through Vietnam (we are two sisters in our late fifties). We had clothes made there and went to the beach.
Send a request
Questions, changes or another way to pay?
Tell us what you need, and we will help you book this tour.
Free offer, no obligation
We answer within one working day, and often sooner on WhatsApp.
Pay when you agree
You pay once you agree with the tour offer. Then we book everything.
Local team in Vietnam
Our team lives in Vietnam, for help on the spot.
Licensed tour operator
Book directly with an officially licensed company, without a middleman.
Use this form for:
- Have a question about this tour
- Want to change or add something
- Prefer to pay by cash or bank transfer
- Have a special request or need help booking
Ready to book? Back to the calendar
Or contact us directly
Facebook Messenger
Instagram message
Still have questions?
Our FAQ page answers common questions about payments, changes and cancellations. Or chat with us on WhatsApp.