sovaba
TRAVEL GUIDEBay Mau Coconut Forest

Exploring Bay Mau Coconut Forest is an ideal choice for those who love peaceful river spaces, want to experience riverside village life, and seek a gentle journey amidst the fresh green nature of Hoi An. From sitting in a basket boat weaving through the shaded water coconut groves, feeling the cool breeze on the river, to moments of drifting slowly in the quiet space, the visit to Bay Mau Coconut Forest brings a sense of relaxation, intimacy, and sheer simplicity.

In this handbook by Sovaba Travel, you will find detailed information about the signature experiences at Bay Mau Coconut Forest, such as basket boat riding, watching basket boat spinning performances, participating in folk activities, and discovering local life, along with suggested daily itineraries suitable for families or groups of friends. In addition, the article also shares useful experiences when visiting Bay Mau Coconut Forest independently, such as the ideal time, entrance costs, off-peak hours, as well as how to combine Bay Mau Coconut Forest with Hoi An Ancient Town or nearby attractions to make your journey more complete and seamless.

Where is Bay Mau Coconut Forest located?

Bay Mau Coconut Forest is located in Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province (now Da Nang City). Specifically, the address is Group 2, Can Nhan Village, Cam Thanh Commune – about 3–5 km from Hoi An Ancient Town center and about 30–31 km from Da Nang. This area lies at the estuary of the Thu Bon River intersecting with the Co Co River and Truong Giang River, creating a rich wetland forest ecosystem. The name "Bay Mau" (Seven Mau) originates from its initial area of about 7 mau (approx. 7 hectares), but it has now expanded to over 100 hectares thanks to natural growth and conservation.

The convenient location makes Bay Mau Coconut Forest an ideal stopover when combined with a tour of Hoi An or Da Nang.

Rừng Dừa Bảy Mẫu ở Hội An
Photo: Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Hoi An 

Ideal time to visit Bay Mau Coconut Forest

The best time to visit Bay Mau Coconut Forest is during the dry season from January to September, when the weather is sunny and cool, making it easy to participate in outdoor activities. Specifically:

  • February–June: Cool weather with little rain, suitable for families and groups of friends.
  • May–July: Great to combine with Hoi An festivals, but can be quite hot.
  • August–September: The scenery is at its best, with opportunities to taste coconut rice with salted sesame as coconuts ripen. The 8th lunar month is ideal for viewing the full moon and floating flower lanterns on the river.
  • Avoid October–November as storms and heavy rain may disrupt your trip.

It is recommended to visit early in the morning (7:00–10:00) or late afternoon (after 15:00) to avoid the heat and enjoy the fresh air.

How to get to Bay Mau Coconut Forest

To make planning easier, visitors can choose from various transport options to reach Bay Mau Coconut Forest, depending on their starting point and preferred travel style:

  • From Da Nang: Fly to Da Nang Airport, then take a taxi or bus to Hoi An (approx. 30–45 minutes, cost 300,000–500,000 VND). From Hoi An center, continue by motorbike, taxi, or bicycle for about 10–15 minutes along Tran Nhan Tong Street, across Cua Dai Bridge to reach the coconut forest.
  • From Hoi An: Travel by road across Cua Dai Bridge for about 500m or choose river transport from Bach Dang dock by boat, taking about 20–30 minutes.
  • Self-guided travel: Rent a motorbike in Hoi An for 50,000–100,000 VND/day, suitable for travelers who want full control over their schedule.

For large groups or families, choosing a joining tour will help optimize costs, provide convenient transportation, and offer tour guide support, delivering a more complete and comfortable experience.

Du lịch Rừng Dừa Bảy Mẫu vào mùa hè
Photo: Traveling to Bay Mau Coconut Forest in summer  

Ticket prices and sight-seeing costs at Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Below are sample costs for visiting Bay Mau Coconut Forest to help you estimate your trip budget:

  • Entrance ticket: about 30,000 VND/adult, 15,000 VND/child aged 5–9, children under 5 are free. This is the basic ticket to enter the eco-tourism zone.
  • Basket boat rental: ranges from 150,000 – 250,000 VND/boat (2–3 people), lasting about 30–45 minutes, usually including performances.
  • Food & dining: ranges from 50,000 – 200,000 VND/dish, depending on choices of fresh seafood or local specialties.
  • Total daily cost for independent travelers: averages 300,000 – 600,000 VND/person, including transportation, entrance tickets, and meals.

Note: Prices may vary depending on the tourist season and group size (larger groups often receive discounts). Visitors should bring cash as some services at Bay Mau Coconut Forest do not yet accept card payments.

Experiences and activities at Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Bay Mau Coconut Forest attracts tourists with a series of experiences tied to river nature and local culture, offering a feeling that is both relaxing and authentic:

  • Rowing basket boats to explore the coconut forest: Sit in a basket boat winding through nipa palm groves, listening to guides share historical and cultural stories, and enjoying rustic Quang Nam folk chants.
  • Basket boat performance and boat racing: Watch skilful basket boat spinning by locals, creating an exciting and surprising atmosphere.
  • Fishing net casting and fish catching: Try your hand at casting fishing nets, crab fishing, or catching fish by hand.
  • Making handicrafts from coconut leaves: Create your own cute items like rings, watches, or leaf grasshoppers under the enthusiastic guidance of local residents.
  • Cycling to explore the countryside: Rent a bike to ride around Cam Thanh village, viewing rice fields, rivers, and the peaceful pace of life.
  • Participating in cooking classes: Some tours combine learning to make sizzling pancakes (banh xeo) or shrimp salad, giving visitors a deeper insight into local cuisine.

These activities usually last about 1–2 hours, suitable for all ages and an indispensable highlight of the trip to Bay Mau Coconut Forest.

Check-in thuyền thúng và rừng dừa
Photo: Checking in with basket boats and coconut forest 

What to eat when visiting Bay Mau Coconut Forest?

The cuisine at Bay Mau Coconut Forest carries bold Central Vietnamese flavors, highlighted by fresh seafood and rustic preparation methods close to river life:

  • Main dishes: Grilled fish (ray fish, mackerel), grilled shrimp, clams with rice crackers, Central sizzling pancakes (banh xeo), sweet and sour shrimp salad, banana blossom salad.
  • Local specialties: Coconut rice with salted sesame (usually available in August–September), refreshing nipa palm sweet soup, unique grilled pork wrapped in corn leaves.
  • Dining locations: Restaurants inside the tourist zone or dining at local homestays at affordable prices, around 100,000–150,000 VND/meal.
  • Souvenirs to bring home: Cam Thanh fish sauce, Banh it la gai (sticky rice cake with thorn leaf), roasted coconut cake.

To fully experience local flavors and atmosphere, you should choose to dine at local homes, where every meal is not only delicious but also a memorable cultural experience.

Thưởng thức những món ngon đặc sản
Photo: Enjoying delicious local specialties  

Bay Mau Coconut Forest is not merely an eco-tourism attraction, but also a place offering rustic, nature-friendly experiences close to the daily life of Quang Nam people. From peaceful river landscapes and exciting folk activities to flavorful local cuisine, the journey to explore Bay Mau Coconut Forest will surely leave many unforgettable memories on your Hoi An – Da Nang trip. If you want to save time and money while enjoying the most complete trip, the all-inclusive Bay Mau Coconut Forest tour with Sovaba Travel is a worthy consideration. A well-designed itinerary, door-to-door shuttle, knowledgeable local guides, and carefully prepared services will ensure peace of mind without worrying about logistics. Don't forget to check out other Bay Mau Coconut Forest tours and Hoi An – Da Nang tours by Sovaba Travel to easily plan your Central Vietnam journey in the most comfortable and complete way.

Articles related to Bay Mau Coconut Forest