Hoi An to launch new tour at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper on Thursday, Le Cong Sy, director of the Public Service Center of Hoi An Dong Ward in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, said work is underway to complete a stage, performance facilities, and a visitor reception area ahead of the launch of a new tour at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, also known as Bay Mau Coconut Forest.

The tour builds on the forest's existing basket-boat experience while adding activities centered on coconut and bamboo crafts, water coconut products, riverine life, and traditional Vietnamese performing arts.

Visitors will be able to explore the water coconut ecosystem, try traditional crafts, and watch performances including ba trao and cau ngu (traditional sea-worship rituals), vai chai (fishing songs), basket-boat dancing, bai choi (a folk singing and game tradition), folk songs, and ho khoan (traditional call-and-response singing).

Sy said organizers are also completing the overall site design, an exhibition space, a craft demonstration house, a reception area, and other experience zones. 

The facilities are being designed with natural materials such as bamboo, coconut, wood and nipa palm leaves to blend with the surrounding landscape of Cam Thanh Coconut Forest.

The tour's main appeal lies in bringing together the area's natural environment, local culture, folk arts, traditional crafts, and community life, offering visitors new experiences beyond the existing basket-boat rides.

'Visit Cam Thanh - Listen to the Coconuts Tell Stories' is expected to launch in November, adding to Hoi An's tourism offerings while highlighting the cultural heritage of the Cam Thanh river area.