QUANG NAM – Located near the ancient town of Hoi An, Cam Thanh coconut forest is a place where visitors can experience basket boats crossing the creek, and play the game of shaking the boat to create a strong feeling…

Cam Thanh coconut forest, also known as Bay Mau, is about 3 km southeast of the center of Hoi An ancient town. This place is likened to a “Southern in the heart of Hoi town” with swamps along the river, many creeks with developed water coconuts.

In September 2009, the People’s Committee of Quang Nam province recognized Bay Mau coconut forest as a tourist destination to orient and focus on investment and development of service tourism, the foundation of which is both a historical and cultural relic site and a cultural area. buffer of Cu Lao Cham world biosphere reserve. Since then, the coconut forest has become an attractive destination on the local tourist map.

The people of Cam Thanh said that more than 200 years ago, the sages sailed their boats to the southern land to trade goods, witnessing the swamp land with nipa palm trees growing, shielding the wind and protecting the village. the village. People in the South use coconut leaves for roofing very well, so Hoi An people brought this variety to plant in Cam Thanh.

Initially, the coconut forest only had an area of ​​about 7 acres, so it was often called the seven-acre coconut forest. After many years of development, the coconut forest has more than 100 hectares protected to serve tourists.

Coconut leaves are harvested by local people to make leaf houses. In the coconut forest, there are many houses that are roofed with leaves that tourists can admire.

Guests step off the basket boat to visit the coconut forest. Entrance fee is 150,000 VND/person, in which the entrance ticket is 30,000 VND; 120,000 VND basket boat service. Visitors here can participate in tours, individual guests come to buy tickets on the spot. Sightseeing services operate from morning until evening.

Each basket boat can carry a maximum of two adults and two children. Visitors can travel on the water and then weave into the canals through the coconut forest, the immense green water enjoys the fresh air.

Nhu Kim, a girl from Hanoi said that after visiting Hoi An ancient town with her relatives, she went to Cam Thanh coconut forest. “It’s hot and sunny, but sitting on a basket boat going under the cool canals, breathing in the fresh air,” Kim commented after nearly an hour on the basket boat.

Korean female tourists pose for photos while visiting the coconut forest.

In addition to domestic visitors, this time the number of foreign visitors to Cam Thanh coconut forest has increased, but it is still less than before the Covid-19 epidemic. According to people, two years of the impact of the coconut forest epidemic almost froze, now guests have increased sharply, bringing a source of income.

Coming to the coconut forest, visitors can also admire the people fishing and catching fish. Visitors need to be guided fishing on the river.

The most unique thing when coming to Cam Thanh coconut forest is shaking the basket boat. Visitors to the boat will be sure to be shaken by the boatman in many circles.

Mr. Nguyen Cuong, in Hanoi, and his son participated in the experience of shaking a basket boat. After more than 10 rounds, he said he was a bit dizzy but excited.

Cam Thanh Tourism Management Board said that at the beginning of July, visitors to the coconut forest skyrocketed. Weekends welcome nearly 3,000 people, the rest days from 1,200-2,000 people. The total number of visitors increased starting from May with about 20,000, June about 30,000 and July 20 has reached more than 50,000 people.