As the Cẩm Thanh boat pier came into view, what caught my attention most were hundreds of round boats, looking like giant baskets bobbing gracefully on the water. Looking at the fragile basket boat swaying at the confluence of three rivers- Thu Bồn, Hoài, and Đế Võng - to be honest, I could not help feeling a bit apprehensive about its safety. However, the warm, radiant smile of the boatman - a middle-aged local fisherman named Uncle Năm - quickly dispelled my worries. He gently handed me a bright orange life jacket and skillfully guided me to step right into the center of the basket boat to perfectly balance the weight. Miraculously, as soon as I sat down firmly, the round boat became remarkably stable and balanced.

To craft a basket boat that can withstand the rough sea waves, the construction process requires exceptional skill and meticulous craftsmanship. Uncle Năm proudly shared that his family has passed down the art of weaving basket boats through generations. A well-maintained basket boat can faithfully accompany fishermen for decades.

The deeper I ventured into the lush green maze of the nipa palm forest, the more overwhelmed I became by the pristine beauty of this mangrove ecosystem. Sunlight filtered through the long nipa palm fronds, creating sparkling light trails like diamonds on the tranquil water surface. Uncle Năm steered the basket boat with exquisite skill: instead of paddling straight like a conventional boat, he gently swayed the oar back and forth in graceful arcs, smooth rhythmic movements that propelled the boat forward seamlessly.

The journey continued with delightful little surprises filled with laughter. Uncle Năm handed me a small bamboo fishing rod baited with clam meat so I could try my hand at catching rock crabs hiding beneath the nipa palm fronds. It took three patient attempts at teasing the bait before I finally reeled in a tiny reddish-purple crab amidst enthusiastic cheers from everyone around. Moving out into open waters, I witnessed an artistic cast net fishing performance by local fishermen. In the vast open expanse, the fisherman pivoted his body, throwing the net with perfect centrifugal force. The huge circular net unfurled softly in mid-air like a flying silk ribbon before gracefully settling onto the river surface, creating a stunning portrait of local labor in the afternoon sun.

The most thrilling and exhilarating moment erupted as we approached the “basket boat dance” area. Against a backdrop of lively music echoing across the wide river bend, several master paddlers were executing wild, dizzying basket spins. The round basket spun rapidly like a giant top on the water, splashing white foam everywhere. When Uncle Năm asked: “Do you dare to try?”, I nodded without hesitation and bravely stepped onto another basket boat. “Hold tightly to the rim!”, the young man shouted with excitement. Immediately after, the world around me turned in continuous 360-degree spins. Cheers, music, and the rush of splashing water resonated right in my ears. A mix of breathless suspense and extreme thrill made me laugh incessantly - a fantastic energy-releasing experience unlike any I had ever had on previous trips.

 After concluding the river adventure that lasted over an hour, I took time to cycle through the nearby Thanh Đông organic vegetable village, soaking in the peaceful rural atmosphere as a gentle closing note to a vibrant journey. The trip to Bảy Mẫu Coconut Forest was not merely an exciting sightseeing excursion, but a harmonious connection between humanity and nature. The vibrant green coconut forest serves not only as a natural shield protecting land and dikes against storms and floods, but also as a cultural cradle nurturing generations of gentle Cẩm Thanh locals.

MINH ANH

Vietnam Destination Review - Special Issue No. 2 (July 2026)