Hoi An Countryside Private Tour – Villages, Buffalo & Basket Boat

What an absolutely amazing tour such a fantastic way to see the real sites of Hoi An. John was brilliant extremely informative and knowledgeable, friendly, personable and knows how to have a laugh... His English is exceptional and as an added bonus he made a wonderful highlight real of photos and videos of our day. By far one of the best experiences of our trip he catered for everything and made tbe trip so relaxing and memorable. I highly recommend John to anyone who is looking for a real Vietnam experience you will not regret booking a tour with John Lee Tours absolutely 5 stars from me!! Thanks John for this amazing day I will definitely be booking you on our next trip to Vietnam.

John Lee tours was worth the value for money. The host and guide is very personable and friendly. Always on time and schedule. Great to have local knowledge and experience in being able relate to people and culture. Thank John for showing us your home town. We enjoyed the tour and you are great operator. We highly recommend John Lee tour.

We had a fantastic day on our Hoi An Countryside tour by motorbike with John Lee Tours! We visited the pottery village and vegetable farm, enjoyed buffalo riding and the basket boats, and stopped at a lovely coffee shop. John was very accommodating, happily swapping the lunch stop for a visit to the duck farm. His team was great—friendly, welcoming and fun, making the whole experience so enjoyable for our family. Thanks, John and team, for a wonderful day exploring the countryside. Highly recommend!

What an absolutely wonderful experience. If you’re heading to Hoi An, do yourself a favour and book a tour with John. You won’t regret it. We originally booked for 2.30 pm but with the weather looking a bit ordinary, we asked to move it to 8.30 the following morning. John couldn’t have been more accommodating. John, his brother and two friends took us out on scooters through the beautiful countryside and what followed was so much more than your typical tourist experience. One of the highlights was visiting a lovely local lady named Hang at her home and seeing her farmland. Her family were gathered for a traditional offering to honour her late mother and we were welcomed in with such warmth. It was a really special moment and something we felt privileged to be part of. We also learnt how much the locals genuinely welcome tourists, not just for the business they bring but for the prosperity and good fortune they represent. We met Xa the water buffalo, who we got to pat and learn all about. We visited a family pottery business that has been running for generations, watched the beautiful craftsmanship and couldn’t resist buying some exquisitely hand painted pottery & chopsticks. There was also a basket boat ride through the coconut waterways and an absolutely amazing local lunch. What really made the day was John himself. The basket boats are in his own village and he seems to know everyone! His knowledge of the area, the people and their traditions was fantastic. His English is excellent too, so we could ask questions, have a laugh and really get to know the stories behind the places we visited. This wasn’t just a tour where you tick off a few attractions. It felt like being invited into someone’s community and getting a genuine glimpse of everyday life in Vietnam. We came away with some beautiful memories, a much better understanding of the local culture and a real appreciation for the people who welcomed us. Highly, highly recommend John and his team. We’ll absolutely be passing his details on to friends and family travelling to Hoi An. Thank you John for a day we won’t forget!

Today I was lucky enough to experience a behind the scenes of Da nang on the back of a scooter with John. It was one of the best tours yet. John is incredibly knowledgable and his English is excellent. He’s also very funny! John is a true gentleman and looked after me the whole time. Even provided a poncho when it rained. Truly a wonderful tour and John is the best. Thank you John…. 10000000 stars. I will be back 🇻🇳

John provided an excellent tour around Hoi An! We visited several creative providers and learned about pottery, inlaid wood carving, lantern making and even small farming. It was a pivot day for us, due to torrential rains … but John planned an amazing day, in spite of the rain!

We thoroughly enjoyed our Hoi An Countryside Tour and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the real Vietnam beyond the Ancient Town. The tour provided on scooters a fascinating insight into local life, taking us through vegetable farms, exceptional coffee at Calvary (worth the scooter ride out to see and try on it own) villages and traditional communities. It was a wonderful opportunity to see how local families live and work while enjoying the beautiful rural scenery. The highlights for us were meeting local farmers, seeing water buffalo up close, we enjoyed riding the BMW, and cruising through the coconut forests by basket boat. We also got to take some of the best spring rolls. Our guide John was friendly, knowledgeable and spoke excellent English, making the experience both informative and enjoyable. The pace was relaxed, the scenery was stunning, and it felt like a genuine cultural experience rather than a tourist attraction. If you want to escape the crowds of Hoi An and see a different side of the region, this tour is definitely worth doing.

Booking a private tour with John was the absolute highlight of our entire trip to Vietnam. From the moment he and his team of drivers met our family of nine at our hotel with a fleet of bright vintage Vespas, we knew we were in for a treat! Planning a tour for an extended family across three generations can be challenging, but John made it so easy. He created an itinerary that kept everyone engaged, from our teenage kids to my 83-year-old mom. He was easy to communicate with, extremely responsive to our questions, and flexible in adjusting the itinerary to fit our family's needs. He even made sure my mom could fully participate in the experience by arranging an air-conditioned car for her while the rest of us explored the countryside by Vespa. What made the day so special was how much we got to see and experience. Riding through the beautiful countryside and winding back roads on those sputtering, colorful Vespas was a unique and unforgettable experience. We were initially a little hesitant about doing a scooter tour, but safety was never an issue. All of the Vespa drivers were professional, skilled, careful, friendly, and fun. Throughout the day, we enjoyed so many hands-on activities, from traditional farming and riding water buffalo to paddling coconut basket boats, weaving mats, and making delicate rice rolls together. We also enjoyed local coffee and fresh rice crackers along the way, finishing the tour with a fabulous Vietnamese noodle lunch! A big part of what made the day so memorable was John himself. He’s easygoing, funny, thoughtful, attentive, and genuinely a pleasure to spend the day with. He also made learning about Vietnamese culture and everyday life in Hoi An engaging and insightful. On top of that, he was a fantastic photographer, capturing wonderful family moments in photos and videos. He shared everything with us at the end of the tour and even created a fun video montage of our day—such a thoughtful touch! Even though we're back home in the U.S., our entire family is still talking about the tour and all the amazing memories we made. We highly recommend John Lee Tours and would absolutely book with John and his team again the next time we're in Vietnam!

We booked with John as a family and had so much fun we couldn’t stop smiling! Never a dull moment with John and the activities were such a great display of Vietnam’s culture!

We had an excellent half day tour with John! We loved the pottery village the most. It was excellent for our little girls who love painting and being creative. John was flexible with the order of the tour when our little one fell asleep in the car which was great. We really enjoyed the coffee roasters, they make excellent coffee! The buffalo ride at the end was so fun and our girls loved it! Definitely recommend this tour to others especially with young kids!

First time in Vietnam and John took my daughter and I on the motorbike country side tour. John is friendly and extremely knowledgeable and kind. We felt safe and had the most wonderful memorable day . We did so much and really felt that we experienced so much . Could not recommend this tour more highly . We’ve booked 3 more with John while we are here . Doing the food tour this afternoon. Can’t wait 💜

John was lovely and very knowledgeable about the area. He told us lots of interesting information and took us to places many other tours wouldn’t such as a carpentry village and noodle making factory. We had delicious drinks and food during the tour making it even more enjoyable. Riding on the back of the mopeds was freeing and exciting. The whole team was accommodating and very friendly. One of the best things we have done in Vietnam. Would definitely recommend!

This tour was amazing! John is such a lovely man who shares his knowledge so well. So many things to see and experience. This tour was beyond our expectations. Had the best day! Highly recommend John and this tour. We have three more booked, that’s how good it was.

John and couldn't recommend this countryside tour more highly! Throughout the day, John shared so much knowledge about the culture, history, and local way of life in the Hoi An region. I learned that there are seven traditional villages in the area, and we visited several of them, including the pottery village, vegetable village, farming village, and coconut village. One of the highlights was visiting a local family-run pottery workshop, where I got to see the beautiful handcrafted pottery and even try making a piece myself. We then rode to the vegetable village and met three sisters who taught us traditional farming techniques, including watering crops using traditional methods (and allowed me to attempt as well). The vegetables they harvested were later served with our lunch, which made the experience feel even more special. I also got to ride a water buffalo named Se, which was a memorable experience and gave me a chance to learn more about rural life in Vietnam. As someone who cares about animal welfare, I appreciated being able to learn more about how the buffaloes are cared for and their longstanding role in local farming traditions. It was reassuring to learn more about the practice and the importance of the animals to village life. After a relaxing stop at a local coffee shop, we continued to John's home village for the famous coconut basket boat experience. I tried the spinning basket boat, casting a fishing net, and even catching crabs. To finish the day, we enjoyed delicious local dishes including Cao Lau and Banh Xeo, served with the fresh vegetables from earlier in the day. What really made the tour stand out was John himself. He was engaging, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. As a solo traveller, I appreciated how flexible the day was - he tailored parts of the experience to my interests, recommended a great tailor, and suggested other activities to enjoy in Hoi An. I also loved that the tour directly supports local families and small businesses, making the experience feel authentic and meaningful. If you're visiting Hoi An and want to learn about the region beyond the Old Town, this tour is absolutely worth doing. Thanks John again for the amazing day ❤️

John picked us up on scooters and took us to the country side! We explored the local way of life and really holds a dear place in our heart. Getting to see how the community works together and every day life was truly an experience. We got to visit the local pottery makers, farmers, water buffalo, coffee roasters, and basket boats. You get hands on by understanding how they live and even get to try yourself. I highly recommend this tour if you want to see the real side of Hoi An. John was very knowledgeable about all aspects of local way of life as he was born and raised in Hoi An. He answered so many of our questions and really expanded our knowledge about daily life here in Hoi An. This is a MUST do.

John was truly the most incredible tour guide I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting during my travels. From the moment we met him in Hoi An, he went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. After having a few disappointing encounters elsewhere during our trip, meeting John completely changed everything for us. His kindness, warmth, and genuine care made every moment feel special. He took us on the most amazing countryside tour through Hoi An and introduced us to multiple local restaurants with some of the best food we had in Vietnam. But what made John so special wasn’t just the places he showed us — it was the way he made us feel. Everywhere we went felt brighter, more exciting, and more meaningful because he was there with us. It’s rare to meet someone who cares so deeply about the people he’s guiding, and John truly made us feel like friends rather than tourists. I honestly wish I could take John everywhere I travel because no one compares to the level of care, thoughtfulness, and joy he brought to our time in Hoi An. I already miss him terribly since coming home, and I know I’ll always look back on our time in Vietnam with so much gratitude because of him. If you are considering booking a tour with John, do it — it will absolutely be one of the highlights of your trip.

This is our second tour with John, and he did not dissapoint. We had organised this tour, wanting to see more of the countryside and to interact with locals. It is a humbling experience and makes you grateful for what we have. We loved meeting the 3 sisters on the farm, and to be immersed in their day to day life. These women work so hard and live a simple life, but were so happy to see us and show us everything. We even got to take some fresh herbs and vegetables with us. We rode the BMW of Vietnam, the buffalo, went to the local village for the basket boats, and got to use our vegetables we picked earlier in a delicious lunch. We had such an amazing day, and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get out of the hustle and bustle. Thanks again John, you are amazing

I was hesitant about traveling on motor bikes in Vietnam but the tour included experienced drivers for both of us and we felt safe the whole time. Most of the riding was on small pathways and only short sections were on roadways shared with cars. Our guide Lam was knowledgeable and very accommodating. The stops had no wait times and we had a lot of unique experiences in a short time span. The motor bikes were much more efficient than bicycles and Lam and his associate were very safe drivers.

Had a fantastic time with John (John Lee Tours) discovering the real Hoi An. Doing pottery....planting gardens....catching fish and riding buffalo....just to name a few. Johns local knowledge was invaluable and a real toast to Vietnam. Will be back.... and highly recommend John Lee Tours.

Great experience making pottery. Really friendly and accommodating family. So talented. Thanks John.😃

John is a phenomenal guide, and I cannot highly recommend him enough! As a solo traveller on my first trip to Vietnam, he made the Hoi An Countryside Tour feel completely seamless and world-class. John went above and beyond to ensure that every need was taken care of, and I truly wanted for nothing throughout the day. His local knowledge of Hoi An was invaluable, guiding me away from the typical "cookie-cutter" routes to discover the authentic heart of the region. The farm visit, coconut boat, and the incredible lunch were the absolute highlights of my entire trip. I felt safe, supported, and incredibly well-informed thanks to his warm storytelling and professional guidance. If you are visiting, John is the only guide you should book with.

John provides excellent local knowledge and service. His personal tour of the BaNa Hills made it far more enjoyable, knowing the best time to arrive and an efficient plan to see the most of the attraction. John was always fast to respond to questions about recommendations about where the best places to eat were and what to do, tailored to our specific requirements. Very friendly, funny and flexible!

Great tour and experience for the whole family. I was slightly concerned about motorbikes in Vietnam but felt safe the entire time. Was great for the kids to see outside the tourist areas and John made the tour seem effortless.

We were a group of 10 family members including my elderly parents. We were lucky enough to have John as our guide for a day tour of Hoi An which included visiting a pottery vilage, a farming area and the coconut boats. John took great care of us and provided interesting information to make the experience more meaningful. His helpful and joyful demeanour was very much appreciated. We actually booked our tour through Klook but John has his own tour business and i believe you can probably go direct with him. We wish him well in growing his business and am sure he will achieve much success.

John knows Hoi An and is an excellent guide. He is friendly and sociable, and speaks and understands English quite well. He met us on time and explained ourt itinerary before we set out. It was just the two of us with John and another driver - quite intimate - to see the Hoi An countryside. We made several stops to meet locals and artisans. John knows them well and introduced us. They shared their skills, their works, and their homes. We got to try making rice cakes and traditional weaving. We ended with lunch prepared for us overlooking the rice fields. We recommend the Vespa tours - a lot of fun and quite safe - but John. also does car tours. At ehe end he presented us with a photos he magically printed en route, and sent us several pics and videos to remember our great outing. Truly a great personal cultural and nature experience.

John is incredibly friendly and offers a great experience, we were shown lots of the Hoi A country side and was awesome. Highly recommended to everyone seeing this. It’s is a great price for what you get to see as the tour goes on for 5-6 hours. Great atmosphere for my family.

John is a fabulous tour guide whose excellent English and experience growing up in Hoi An allows excellent insights into the local culture. Our teenagers rated this tour the standout on our two week Vietnam holiday. They enjoyed making noodles, vegetable farming, riding buffalo, tasting different coffees, riding the boats, fishing, making pottery and eating a plentiful and delicious lunch. John has a great sense of humour and takes memorable photos. He did a fabulous video edit as well. We highly recommend this tour.

John was the best tour guide we have had on our trip so far. Spoke great English and gave us a very authentic experience in Hoi An

We wanted to see Vietnamese life outside of Hoi An away from the hustle and bustle of the town. John led us on a tour of the local countryside and it was terrific. We stopped at a number of places to meet local people engaged in various activities including pottery, painting, mat weaving, making noodles and a coffee roasting facility. John is a local man and speaks good English and is very knowledgeable about the region. We thoroughly recommend John’s tours.

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our Countryside Tour with John Lee. John’s informative & engaging personality ensured a fabulous day for everyone. He was knowledgeable & also, adaptable & accommodated our needs. His photography skills meant that he has captured the experience in both photos & videos. Very genuine guy! Will definitely do tours with John Lee again!

The jeep tour with Jon was absolutely awesome! Our Australian family of 6 had an amazing time seeing the sites of Hoi An and experiencing local culture. The day is action packed and can be catered depending on the group vibe. Jon has brilliant knowledge of the area, is energetic and cheeky all with brilliant English. The cooking class with a highlight as we played with fire!!

This is a must-do tour! The tour itself is amazing and each stop is so interesting and fun with John! He's an excellent guide and photographer too. It was nice to get away from the crowds and visit with the very friendly and kind locals and learn about their lifestyles. Don't miss this! One of the best days of our trip!

My friend and I took the motorbike countryside tour with John, and we had the best time! Even before the tour began, John’s communication was excellent - he confirmed the time, details, and made everything clear. He picked us up from our hotel and instantly made us feel comfortable, and gave us an overview of what to expect. Despite the rain, wind and flooding, John and his friend took us safely around Hoi An on the motorbikes, which was such a cool experience! Meeting the local residents was a real highlight. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We visited a coffee shop to try authentic Vietnamese coffee and learned how it’s roasted and prepared. We also had the chance to ride a water buffalo and a basket boat - both of which were super fun. After the basket boat ride, we stopped to enjoy delicious Vietnamese pancakes and Cao lầu. Throughout the tour, John took wonderful photos and videos to capture our experience, which we really appreciated. At the end, he surprised us with a lantern each as a thank you gift - a thoughtful and kind gesture that made the day even more special. In addition to the tour itself, John went out of his way to share great recommendations for food, workshops, and tailoring in Hoi An. He was always available to answer any questions we had - whether they were about the tour or Hoi An in general. Thank you John, for an incredible day. I highly recommend booking a tour with him if you’re visiting Hoi An!

From the start to end, the entire experience with John was absolutely amazing! He was very friendly, fun and accommodating. I cannot fault this tour at all. Despite the weather and flooding in Hoi An, John made sure we had an incredible time. He was very flexible and adaptable to changes to the itinerary due to the weather. We still were able to ride around on bikes, ride a water buffalo, meet the locals and try their food. We also had great fun on a basket boat ride. I highly recommend everyone to book their Hoi An tour with John!

We had an amazing time with John! Excellent guide, very good english. The Farm tour was a heap of fun, and the Basket boats were very good. The Lunch Provided was brilliant!

Wow what an experience, John was so informative and so so accomodating to our needs. Could not speak higher of any of our guides in Vietnam but John really wins you over and this tour was amazing.

We decided on John Lee tours for the countryside private tours . We were taken to a local village and met with a lady who showed us her garden and all her fruit and veg and how she looks after it in the traditional way . We met with a local farmer who introduced us to his water buffalo and got to climb on top for a ride . We learnt to make rice noodles , went on a coconut boat , made pottery , and enjoyed some of the best coffee Vietnam has to offer . I would highly recommend this tour as it takes you to places so authentic - places you would never find in the normal tourist brochures . John Lee tours has local knowledge and makes a real effort to ensure you have a personalised and memorable experience.

Great outing in the Hoi An area with John. He was very tentative and made us feel special. He listened to what we wanted to do and put a nice program together. John’s English is perfect! Thanks for a great day

So glad my friend bumped into John in the local mini mart because we had such a great day visiting with local people and learning about their lives in the local community. We had great fun and John was full of local information and had a great respect for the people in his community. From vegetable growing to noodle making, pottery making to coffee sampling and then a wonderful meal to top it of with a selection of herbs from the vegetable garden. The coconut boats were great fun too. Would highly recommend.

If you are visiting the Hoi An region in Vietnam you must put this tour on your “must do” list. John is a great tour guide and you will visit those little hidden gems around the region that you’ll never find on your own. A great experience.

We had the most amazing experience exploring Vietnam with our tour guide, John! He took us to incredible places like the Coconut Boats, the Farming and Carpentry villages around Hoi An. John is also incredibly knowledgeable — he shared so much interesting history and local insight at every stop, which made the whole experience even more special. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Thank you, John, for making our trip so memorable! Highly recommend to anyone travelling in the area.

Absolutely the best way to see the heart of Hoi An! Get off the beaten track and see the country side, experiencing the true Vietnamese culture riding along in the Bike! Visit families who live off the land and produce amazing food and products. You have to try coconut coffee and dancing in the bamboo boats. JOHN our guide was just lovely and super informative, our drivers DUY were great fun! This tour is a must do!

We’ve just finished our afternoon with John and what a fantastic tour it was. We were looking for something a little different to the normal tours and he suggested a Hoi An village tour. We did wood carving in a 400 yr old village, rice wine tasting and seeing how it’s made from start to finish, rice noodle making, buffalo riding and food tasting. It really was fantastic and exactly what we were looking for. John is such a great tour guide, he’s so knowledgeable and proud of his heritage and shared so much with us. Would not hesitate in recommending John to anyone who visits Hoi An. Thank you John!

We had one of the best experiences of our Vietnam trip on the Hoi An Countryside Private Tour. Our guide, John, was outstanding—knowledgeable, friendly, and generous in sharing personal insights into the culture and daily life of Hoi An. John met us at our hotel right on time, helped adjust our bike seats, and gave us a clear overview of the tour before we set off. He took us on a fantastic ride through peaceful countryside and charming backstreets. The tour was thoughtfully paced and well-organized. Towards the end, when one member of our group was feeling the effects of the heat, John quickly adapted and arranged a tuk tuk to take us back to the hotel—something we really appreciated. One of the highlights was the basket boat experience. We cycled to the river and hopped into traditional round boats to explore the water coconut forest—unique, fun, and something we’ll never forget! We also visited a local organic farm where we got hands-on with traditional farming techniques. The farmer was so welcoming and patient, giving us a real appreciation for their way of life. Another unexpected highlight was the cooking class—each of us got to prepare a local dish, then had a great time tossing and catching it before sitting down to enjoy our meal! John was excellent with the kids—engaging, kind, and fun. His fluent English and deep knowledge of the area made the whole experience even more enjoyable. If you're looking for a genuine, immersive, and family-friendly tour this is the one for you. We can’t recommend it—and John—highly enough!

John is a truly charismatic and engaging tour guide who brings the spirit of Hoi An to life. Throughout the tour, he shares fascinating insights and heartfelt stories about the local people, their history, and their culture. It’s clear that he has a deep connection with the community, which adds a personal and authentic touch to the experience. The tour itself is thoughtfully planned and well-organized, with a smooth flow from one stop to the next. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to go beyond the typical tourist experience and gain a genuine understanding of how the people of Hoi An live, work, and preserve their traditions on a daily basis.

We loved our afternoon with John, experiencing the areas of Hoi An you don’t normally get to see. He was highly informative, polite and funny. We weren’t rushed and we were able to take things at our pace. We rode on the back of motorcycles and having experienced the traffic in taxis, we thought it would be daunting. But John and his friend were extremely cautious and rode very safely. We had a fun afternoon, doing things we have never done before - pottery making, riding buffalo, fishing, helping on the farm, and visiting a coffee factory. We can honestly say this was the highlight of our trip to Vietnam. Well done John, it was a privilege to meet you!!

John Lee is the best tour guide ever ! We just love how he makes you feel so welcome , is so knowledgeable and loves to interact with the people he is being a tour guide for . We think anyone who is touring the Hoi An area should contact John Lee you will not be disappointed!

This tour was fabulous! John was an excellent guide and very informative from start to finish. We had a lovely bike ride through the local villages and then a very entertaining trip on the basket boats which was lots of fun. We then headed over to the veggie garden for great cooking class and tasty snacks and lunch! Lovely food! We learnt a lot abt Vietnamese farming and had lots of laughs! Would not hesitate to recommend John to anyone, great English skills and would give him more than 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating if we could! Well done John you made our trip to Hoi An a very enjoyable one! 😀

John had so so so much information about all of the various stops and history behind each stop. He also took the time to curate the tour of Hoi A villages and families towards our interests. He was also prepared with everything you could possibly need, from hand sanitizer to water and that in between. I highly recommend taking a tour of Hoi An outside of the old town/lantern city to learn about the arts that bring the town to life with John.