The Thu Bon River is 204 km/127 miles long and flows through Quang Nam Province on Vietnam’s central coast. The river is sourced at Song Tranh 2 Reservoir by Ngoc Linh Mountain and empties into the South China Sea outside Hoi An.
Known as the “Mother River,” Thu Bon is a prominent feature of the Hoi An area and carries a surplus of rich alluvial soil along with lots of fish. The most popular section of the Thu Bon River is the part that runs through Hoi An’s Ancient Town.
It’s easy to discover many of the city’s attractions just by strolling along the river and seeing where it goes. The area around the river in Hoi An is most crowded at sunrise and sunset, as people enjoy browsing the businesses along each canal.
Activities by Sông Thu Bồn
Thu Bon River is one of Hoi An’s most outstanding features and offers a few things to do by the water.
Boat Cruises
Life on the Thu Bon riverbanks is busy, and the best way to witness it is by experiencing a local boat ride. The environment’s ambiance by the water is soothing yet lively, and it’s not hard to see how down to earth the culture of this part of town is. Book a ride at sunset for some fantastic photo opportunities with light reflecting on the river.
Attend a Local Festival
Visiting the river during a festival can be an exciting experience for tourists. The Thu Bon Goddess Festival is held annually on the 12th of Lunar February to praise “Mother River” for providing good harvests and safety living along the water.
Additionally, on the 14th day of every lunar month, people light a candle and place it into a paper lotus to release on the water while making a wish. The monthly lights on the water are one of the events that draw people to Hoi An and are a must-do for travelers to the area during this time.
Visit a Craft Village
There are several themed craft villages along Thu Bon River near Hoi An. Aside from taking a boat ride by them, enjoy some time exploring and walking through these cultural hubs. The most popular townlets include Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Ma Chau Silk Village, Tra Que Vegetable Village, and Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village.
Boat Trip to My Son
This full-day tour up the Thu Bon River is one of the most authentic ways to see the province’s culture. Starting at 8 am, the boat leaves Hoi An and heads towards My Son Holy Land to stop at an authentic fishing village. After arriving at My Son, visitors are given some time to explore the former Cham Pa Kingdom. On the way back to Hoi An, take in the views of local life on the river and pass by a few craft villages, ending the tour at roughly 4 pm.
Details
Address: Hoi An, Quang Nam Province,, Vietnam
Season: Year-round
Hours: 24 hours
My Tho River – Southern Vietnam
