Two water rides in one day. This shore excursion blends a silk-weaving village stop with a basket boat trip through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, then finishes with time in Hoi An Ancient Town. I also like the way the day is paced for cruise schedules, with a friendly, English-speaking guide and clear planning. The only catch to think about is that it is a full 9-hour day, so if you want hours of slow wandering, you might feel a bit on the clock.

I like that pickup and drop-off are set right at Chan May Port, and the group stays small (up to 20 people). You’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle, and the plan builds in structured time for both the countryside and the old town.

What you’ll get for your money is not just photos. Lunch is included, plus bottled water and all fees and taxes, so you can focus on the sights. In the past, people have also praised UpTravel Vietnam for smooth, disciplined organization, including good hospitality and road conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Chan May Port convenience: drop-off inside the port, about 200 meters from your cruise ship
• Basket boat in Bay Mau Coconut Forest: a memorable river-and-mangrove style ride in Cam Thanh
• Silk-weaving village access: see the craft behind local silk-making before you hit the water
• Hoi An Ancient Town for 3 hours: UNESCO site time with included admission
• Small group size: maximum of 20 people for a more personal feel
• Lunch and taxes handled: reduces hassle and keeps the day predictable

From Chan May Port to Hoi An, a shore day built for cruise timing

If your cruise docks at Chan May Port, this tour is one of the simpler ways to see more than one place in Vietnam without worrying about complicated transport. Pickup starts at the port car rental area, and you end the tour back at Chan May Port. The practical detail I love is that the guide and driver drop you inside the port, about 200 meters away from where your ship is moored.

The total duration is about 9 hours. That length matters. You are not just “in town for a few hours,” you are also spending time traveling from the port to Hoi An and back. For most cruise passengers, that is the trade-off: you gain a structured full day, but you give up a super relaxed schedule.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is included. Those two points sound basic, but they matter in Vietnam heat, especially when you are going to be outside walking later. The group size cap of 20 also helps. Smaller groups tend to move with fewer delays, and the guide can keep an eye on everyone’s timing.

Silk-weaving village stop, where Hoi An silk actually starts

This day trip includes a visit to a traditional silk-weaving village. Even if you have seen silk shops before, this is different. It is about seeing the work behind the product, not just shopping for it.

You can expect the guide to walk you through what silk-making involves at a craft level, so you understand why Hoi An is known for silk. Since the tour is designed as a shore excursion, this stop also fits the flow. You are not left on your own for too long, and you get context before you move on.

A practical tip: if you are shopping later in Ancient Town, this village stop helps you recognize quality and process. You’ll be better at asking questions like what kind of silk is used and why some pieces look different. The value here is mental, not just visual. You leave with a clearer idea of what you are paying for, and you avoid the feeling that you bought something just because it looked pretty.

Cam Thanh Coconut Village and the Bay Mau basket boat ride

Cam Thanh is known for its coconut groves and a river-based way of life tied to the mangrove environment. In practical terms, this is the part of your day that feels like you left the city.

The tour allocates about 3 hours for Cam Thanh Coconut Village, and the admission ticket for this stop is listed as free. That is a real perk. It means more of your time is spent on the experience itself instead of ticking off costs.

The headline here is the basket boat ride through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest. The ride is what most people remember, because it is hands-on and surrounded by water and greenery. You get a moving view that you simply cannot get from the shore. It also changes the pace of your day. After traveling and visiting a village, being on the water feels like a reset.

What to consider: you are doing a boat ride as part of a cruise day. That means you may want to plan for getting a bit damp, depending on conditions and how the boat ride runs. Bring a small plastic bag for your phone and keep light layers ready if you go from sun to shade quickly.

Lunch with local dishes, then your window for old town

After the Cam Thanh area, you get lunch included. The tour does not list specific dishes in the details provided, but it does say lunch features local delicacies, and it is included in the price.

I like included meals on shore tours when they are done well. It keeps you from hunting for food under time pressure, and it reduces the risk of ending up somewhere that slows you down. Bottled water is also included, which helps with hydration while you are between stops.

Once lunch is done, the tour shifts into Hoi An mode: walking time, history-focused streets, and free time for shopping. If you know you tend to shop longer than you expect, use a simple strategy. Do one quick circuit with your guide first, then decide if you want a second pass for specific souvenirs.

Hoi An Ancient Town for 3 hours, what to do with your time

Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for preserved historic architecture and charming streets. The tour gives you about 3 hours there, with admission included.

Three hours sounds short until you plan for how the town works. This kind of walking time is best used for two things:

• getting your bearings in the old streets
• picking your shopping goals early so you do not lose time later

Since the tour includes a guide-led visit, you have someone pointing out what makes the area special. Even without a long explanation session, having context helps you see details you would otherwise miss. The guided part also helps you avoid the common problem of wandering too far and realizing you are behind schedule.

Shopping is part of the deal. The tour includes free time to shop for unique souvenirs. I recommend you keep your shopping practical:

• set a rough budget before you go
• compare similar items in more than one shop if you care about value
• prioritize items that you are sure you will use or gift, not just things that look good at first glance

Also, remember this is a day tour. You will likely move through the town as a group and then split into free time. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your phone charged, because photos and quick map checks will eat a few minutes.

How well the day is organized, from English help to smooth transport

One reason this excursion works for cruise passengers is that the service is built around coordination. The details provided say you get an experienced English-speaking guide, plus an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and all fees and taxes.

In terms of service quality, people have praised the planning and the on-the-ground execution. One name that has come up in planning support is Hannah, described as helpful during Q and A. On the communication side, Lily (Linh Linh) has been credited with responsive help via Facebook and WhatsApp, which is useful if you are trying to align with a cruise schedule. A local guide named Celina has also been praised for sharing context during the day.

Even if you ignore the names, the takeaway is the same: this is the kind of tour that tries to reduce friction. Road conditions have been described as very good, and the organization has been called disciplined. For a shore excursion, that is not fluff. It is the difference between a calm day and one where you spend half your time waiting.

Price and value: what $155 includes and how to judge the deal

The price is $155. That is not the cheapest option, but it is also not just paying for a ride and a brochure.

Here is what is included:

• lunch
• air-conditioned vehicle
• bottled water
• all fees and taxes
• experienced English-speaking guide
• admission included for Hoi An Ancient Town
• Cam Thanh admission listed as free

When I judge value, I look at the parts that can cost money fast on your own. Transportation from Chan May Port plus a full guided day is expensive in time and logistics. Lunch is a real saving too, because you do not have to figure out where to eat near your limited time window. And if tickets and taxes are handled, you avoid small surprise charges that add up.

What is not included is personal expenses. That is your own shopping money, snacks, and anything else you choose to buy. If you keep shopping light, your overall spending stays predictable.

Group discounts are also mentioned, which can make the per-person cost better if you are booking with someone. Just remember: discounts matter less if the day already fits your interests. The biggest value is that you are getting three major experiences in one run: silk-making village, Cam Thanh basket boat ride, and Hoi An Ancient Town walking time.

Who should book this Hoi An and Cam Thanh tour

This is a great fit if you want a well-structured day that covers both countryside and old town. I would steer you toward it if:

• you are docked at Chan May Port and want an organized shore plan
• you like seeing craft and local culture, not just landmarks
• you want one signature activity, the basket boat ride, plus time to walk and shop
• you prefer an English-speaking guide to help you make sense of what you see

It might be less ideal if you strongly dislike timed activities. With a roughly 9-hour schedule and fixed stop blocks, this is not a choose-your-own-adventure day. You should also consider your comfort with walking. You will be in Hoi An Ancient Town for about 3 hours, which adds up, even if it is not an all-day hike.

A good detail to remember: it is a maximum group of 20 people. That tends to be friendly for questions and pacing, and it usually avoids the long lines feeling you can get on larger buses.

Should you book it? My practical call

Book this tour if you want a clean, organized cruise day that hits the highlights: Cam Thanh basket boat experience, a silk-weaving village look into local craft, and guided time in Hoi An Ancient Town plus shopping freedom.

Skip it if you already have a plan to reach Hoi An on your own and you want maximum free time with no structure. If that is your style, you might prefer a slower, more flexible day.

For most people doing a first trip to central Vietnam, I think this is a smart way to make the most of one port stop. You pay a mid-range price, but you get transport, guide help, tickets handled, and a full day that feels coordinated instead of chaotic.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Chan May Port Car Rental on Đường Vào Cảng Chân Mây, Mỹ An, Phú Lộc, Thành phố Huế 530000, Vietnam. It also ends back at Chan May Port Car Rental.

How far is the meeting point from the cruise ship?

The guide and driver drop you inside Chan May port, about 200 meters away from your cruise ship.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 9 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, all fees and taxes, and an experienced English-speaking guide.

Are entrance tickets included?

Admission to Hoi An Ancient Town is included. Admission for Cam Thanh is listed as free.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered from Chan May Port.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can most people participate?

Most travelers can participate.

Is free cancellation available?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.