HOI AN Hidden Gems in Rural Villages & River Islands PRIVATE TOUR
Description
An exciting PRIVATE TOUR that’s fun for all ages! Explore the rural villages around Hoi An on a unique route that takes you off the beaten path to meet locals & experience their daily lives. Start your adventure on Cam Kim Island, where you’ll make rice papers & snacks to enjoy. Then, visit another local family to learn the art of incense stick making & try it yourself. After that, head to a peaceful village to weave vibrant bed mats from river reeds. Drive through beautiful rural villages & later stop at a charming coffee shop for refreshments. Then, cross over the stunning views bridge & enjoy a relaxing basket boat ride under the Water Coconut Forest. Zigzag through the fish & shrimp farms and lush rice paddies filled with buffalo and cows, we'll finally explore Tra Que Vegetable Village, surrounded by fragrant herbs. The tour lasts 4 hours without a meal, or 5 hours with a tasty meal. Choose your vehicle: US military jeep/ USSR army jeep/ Modern car.
Tour Options
Itinerary
If you're staying in Hoi An, we'll pick you up directly from your hotel. For guests at hotels in Da Nang, Hoiana Resort and Golf, or VinPearl Resort and Golf South Hoi An, please meet us at our office to start the tour. Contact us via call or WhatsApp, and we'll assist you in arranging a private car transfer for a small surcharge.
Making rice papers and local snacks: Embark on a fun journey from Hoi An, crossing the scenic Thu Bon River to the peaceful Cam Kim Island. Here, you'll meet a delightful 65-year-old couple, masters of traditional rice-making. Roll up your sleeves and help grind rice, then use the rice milk to craft your own rice paper and tasty local snacks. Once the work’s done, enjoy the fruits of your labor, munching on the treats you just made! As you relax, dive into the fascinating daily lives of the islanders and learn about their rich culture and traditions. It’s a hands-on experience with a heartwarming personal touch you won’t forget!
Incense-making family: Step into the heart of Kim Bong village and meet a warm, welcoming family who’s been mastering the craft of incense-making for generations. Get ready for a unique experience as you sit down with them, surrounded by the sweet aromas of herbs and spices, and try your hand at rolling incense sticks using their traditional tools. As you work, the family will share fascinating stories about their trade, their village, and the importance of incense in local culture. By the end, you'll walk away with your own handmade incense and a heart full of Kim Bong's rich history and charm!
Handwoven Traditions: The Mat-Weaving Family Story. Step into the cozy, traditional home of a lovely 70-year-old couple in a peaceful village, where vibrant straw mat-making is a way of life. Sit down with them and get hands-on, weaving your own colorful mat—just like the ones locals sleep on! As you weave, you'll hear stories of their craft and catch a glimpse of daily life in this quiet, charming village. It's a beautiful way to connect with local traditions, learn a timeless craft, and take home your own handmade souvenir from this heartwarming experience!
Stop at a nice coffee house to freshen up and learn about Vietnamese coffee culture. Enjoy a tasty coffee with nice views. Use the washroom before we continue our journey.
Drive over high bridges to take in panoramic views of fish farms, shrimp farms, rice paddies, and big fishing nets at Thu Bon river mouth.
Visit Cam Thanh fishing village in the water coconut forest, hop in the round basket boat, a local fisherman will take you on a relaxing boat trip under the shade of coconut trees. You will use a fishing rod to catch some river crabs for fun.
A quick visit to Tra Que vegetable village to see the villagers growing different vegetables in their gardens. It's a great chance to smell amazing herbs, take pictures and learn about traditional farming methods.
Time to enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch or dinner in a riverside restaurant before heading back to your hotel. NOTE: There is a tour option without lunch/dinner as well. Please check different prices and durations when booking.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
✅ Free Pickup & Drop-off: Available at any hotel, homestay, or restaurant in the Hoi An area. ❌ No Free Pickup & Drop-off: Da Nang Hotels Hoiana Resort & Golf Vinpearl Resort & Golf South Hoi An Options for Guests in These Areas: 1. Meet us at our office in Hoi An to start the tour. Address: 67 Tran Quang Khai Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province. 2. Book a One-Way Private Transfer from us:
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(585)
Booked with Kha for several events, extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Worked with us so my husband could get as much as possible from events as we had to us wheelchair for any distance covered. When I went to see items to hard for him to access Kha ensured he was in shade and could still view other things. Transportation was always of high standard and air conditioned. I f I was able to give higher rating I would. Booked through Local Buddy Tour Guide
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for trusting Kha and Local Buddy Tours with your experiences in Hoi An! We’re especially happy to hear that Kha was able to adapt the tour to your needs and make sure both of you could enjoy the experience comfortably. Taking care of every guest and making sure everyone feels included is very important to us. We truly appreciate your kind words about Kha, our transportation, and the service provided throughout your visits. Your comment means a lot to our whole team. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we sincerely hope to welcome you back to Hoi An and Vietnam again in the future! Kind regards, Thanh Local Buddy Tours WhatsApp: +84 973 943 196 Email: localbuddytours@gmail.com
An absolutely superb day, discovering the countryside around Hoi An, as close as possible to the inhabitants and their expertise. We had the chance to discover several local traditions: rice noodle making, incense crafting, a weaving workshop, as well as various visits that allowed us to better understand the life and traditions of this region. But what really made this day exceptional was our guide, Quyen. A passionate guide, very dedicated, generous with her explanations, and who truly works with her heart. Thanks to her, we experienced a true immersion into local life, far beyond a simple tourist excursion. Thank you Quyen for this magnificent day that we will not forget We did this excursion as a family, with our two children, who also loved this discovery and will keep very beautiful memories of it. If you come to Hoi An, we recommend this excursion +++: you will return with your head full of discoveries and, above all, filled with happy memories ❤️
Thank you so much for this beautiful review! ❤️ We’re truly delighted to hear that your family enjoyed discovering the countryside around Hoi An and experiencing the local traditions, from rice noodle making and incense making to weaving and meeting local people. We’re especially happy to hear your kind words about Quyen. She will be absolutely thrilled to know that her passion, care, and dedication helped make your day so special. Creating genuine connections with local people and giving our guests a deeper understanding of life and traditions in Hoi An is exactly what we hope to offer. It’s wonderful to know that your children enjoyed the experience too and that you’re taking home such happy memories as a family. Thank you for recommending our tour so warmly! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome your family back to Hoi An someday. ❤️ Kind regards, Thanh Local Buddy Tours WhatsApp: +84 973 943 196 Email: localbuddytours@gmail.com
Fantastic morning full of interesting visits and a beautiful lunch. Lanh an Tam did did a brilliant job. Highly recommend
Great tour by Kha. Very enjoyable and the guide was very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
We honestly can't stop talking about this tour! It started exactly on time, as promised — no waiting around, no surprises, just straight into an epic ride in a super cool military jeep that instantly made the whole day feel like an adventure. The tour took us deep into rural villages to see how people in Vietnam actually live, away from all the touristy spots — such an eye-opening and authentic experience. Our guide Lam was phenomenal: excellent English, incredibly knowledgeable, and constantly sharing insights about local life, history, and culture that we never would've picked up on our own. What really made it special was how flexible Lam was — he happily adjusted the route to fit what we wanted to see more of. On top of everything, he turned out to be an amazing photographer, capturing shots of us we didn't even know we needed! From start to finish, the whole experience was awesome. Super friendly, super professional, and 100% recommended for anyone who wants a real, unforgettable look at Vietnam. Ask for Lam — you won't regret it!
I learned a lot. Quyen and Lam were incredible guides. This was one of the most worthwhile experiences during my time in Vietnam. I really wanted to meet people who live here and see how their life is in a daily basis. I wanted to learn from them. It did not disappoint. It was an incredible experience!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed meeting the local craftsmen, farmers, and noodle-makers and got a real glimpse into everyday life in Vietnam. 😊 It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with Quyen and Lam! If you’re ever back in Vietnam, we’d love to show you more hidden gems. Feel free to contact Thanh anytime: 📱 WhatsApp: +84 973 943 196 📧 Email: localbuddytours@gmail.com Kind regards, Thanh
Lam & Long were fantastic tour guides. It was great experiencing the back streets of Hoi An, visiting locals homes as they make a living either with making noodles or creating beautiful incense. The locals are very welcoming. You also get to have a go as well (albiet poorly in my case) and the ride in the 1960's army jeep was awesome. I highly recommend this adventure while visiting Hoi An
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! 😊 We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the back streets of Hoi An, meeting local families, and getting hands-on with noodle making and incense making. We’re also happy to know you enjoyed the ride in our 1960s Army Jeep! We’ll definitely share your kind words with Lam and Long. If you’re ever back in Hoi An, we’d love to take you on another adventure! 📱 WhatsApp: +84 973 943 196 📧 Email: localbuddytours@gmail.com Kind regards, Thanh
Kha was a great tour guide! Very friendly and knowledgeable. A must-do tour in Vietnam
Great tour. Enjoyed the variety. The family's were lovely, friendly and accepting. Fantastic guide and great driver. Would recommend in a heart beat
We had such a lovely morning seeing the countryside of Hoi An. We fit in so many activities, including coconut boat & trying delicious coffee, we especially loved visiting the local farm & seeing all the produce. Kha was a great guide, answering all our questions. Really recommend it!!
