Just three kilometers east of Hoi An’s Ancient Town lies a landscape that feels a world apart. The Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Rừng Dừa Bảy Mẫu) is a sprawling, 7-hectare maze of water coconut palms (nipa palm) rooted in the muddy banks of the Thu Bon River delta. This is Cam Thanh village, a community that has lived off these waters for generations. During the American War, the dense forest provided shelter for both Viet Cong and local villagers. Today, it is a protected eco-tourism site and the perfect antidote to the charming bustle of Hoi An’s streets.
The forest is a haven of biodiversity. Crabs scuttle among the palm roots, egrets stalk the shallows, and the air is alive with dragonflies. The primary way to explore is by thuyền thúng — the iconic Vietnamese round basket boat made of bamboo and tar. As you glide into the narrow canals, the outside world fades away. Your local guide, often a third-generation fisherman, will show you how to use a single oar to spin the boat like a top or how to crack a coconut crab. It is an experience that is at once tranquil, joyful, and deeply authentic.
“The coconut forest is our garden and our history,” says Mr. Tran, a local boatman. “We protect it, and in return, it gives us life. Every visitor who comes here with respect is a guest in our home.” This sentiment lies at the heart of the Bay Mau experience.
