The Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An Dong Ward, Danang, has transformed from a wartime revolutionary stronghold into an internationally recognised tourism destination attracting visitors from around the world.
Located amid a maze of rivers and waterways that flow towards Cua Dai Beach, the forest is one of the most distinctive landscapes in central Vietnam.
A corner of the coconut forest in Cam Thanh Village (Photo: Hoai Son).
According to local residents, nipa palms were brought from southern Vietnam and planted in the area around 200 years ago. The trees thrived in the region's favourable soil and water conditions, gradually creating a vast coconut forest.
Its secluded geography, dense vegetation and intricate network of canals later made the area an ideal refuge for revolutionary forces. During the war, the forest became an important base for resistance activities in Hoi An.
Records from the People's Committee of Hoi An Dong Ward show that from 1967 until the liberation of Hoi An, Bay Mau Coconut Forest served as a shelter and staging area for revolutionary units launching operations into urban areas.
Basket boats weave through Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Photo: Hoai Son).
In 2009, authorities placed the forest under formal management and protection while promoting sustainable tourism development. The area is also part of the buffer zone of the Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, which was recognised by UNESCO in the same year.
Today, round basket boats gliding through narrow waterways beneath the coconut canopy have become an iconic image of tourism in Cam Thanh.
Local boat operators not only guide visitors through the forest but also introduce the area's history and culture, share stories about local life and help tourists capture memorable photographs during their visit.
Tran Tai, a local basket boat operator, said tourism workers have had to become increasingly professional, particularly when serving international visitors.
"Besides rowing skills, people need to know common English expressions so they can communicate effectively with different groups of tourists," he said.
In 2024, the basket boat experience in Bay Mau Coconut Forest was ranked among the world's 25 most popular boat activities by Tripadvisor.
A year later, Cam Thanh was ranked 20th in Forbes magazine's list of the world's 50 most beautiful villages.
Local authorities are now developing new tourism products to diversify the visitor experience. Planned additions include routes that combine basket boat tours with traditional crafts, folk arts and community-based cultural activities.
Visitors will also have opportunities to interact with local performers and take part in traditional folk singing exchanges before scheduled performances.
The basket boat spinning display leaves visitors reeling on the river (Photo: Hoai Son).
According to officials in Hoi An Dong Ward, the new tourism products are expected to undergo trial operations during the fourth quarter of this year. Visitor feedback will then be used to refine facilities and services before the programme is officially launched.
In the longer term, authorities plan to expand tourism routes across the entire Cam Thanh river system and develop a specialised "Bay Mau Coconut Forest Revolutionary History" tour linking historical sites with cultural and ecological experiences.
The initiative reflects broader efforts to preserve the area's historical legacy while creating sustainable economic opportunities through tourism.
