Tra Que is a small farming village on the edge of Hoi An known for its herbs and vegetables, grown in raised beds fed with river weed and local compost. Many Hoi An restaurants buy from here, and the village is a regular stop for visitors who want to see where the fresh basil, mint, lettuce and other herbs on the table come from. The cycling and farming tour we link to takes about three and a half hours, collects you in town and combines a ride through the countryside with a session in the gardens, working alongside a farmer in the traditional style. It has a perfect rating from nineteen reviews on the tour page. It is a quieter option than a full cooking class, and a good way to get out of the old town without a long journey.
On the ground
Expect flat, easy cycling on village lanes and paddy edges, with stops for photos and a glimpse of everyday life. In the gardens you are typically handed a hat, shown how the beds are tended and invited to water, weed or turn the soil. The hands-on part is what separates this from a drive-by visit, and most visitors find it more fun than they expected.
Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy, closed shoes or sandals with grip, and bring sun cream and water. A farmer or guide explains the herbs, and you will often finish with a taste of local flavours.
Rain and flooding in the low-lying fields can make cycling muddy or impossible, and operators sometimes reschedule or convert the trip. The gardens look their greenest after rain, but the lanes can be slick, and heavy flooding in Hoi An in October and November can close roads. Check the forecast and ask the operator about the plan if it rains. In the drier months the ride is a pleasure at any time of day, though the morning is cooler.
Who it suits
Families with children old enough to ride, food lovers, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the countryside. If you would prefer a longer food-focused day, a cooking class built around the same village is a separate product, and the basket boat and market cooking class elsewhere in this guide covers a different part of the landscape.
Combine this with a coffee class or a visit to the night market, and keep the afternoon free for the heat. Keep small cash for tips and a drink, and let the operator know about any food allergies if a tasting is included.
What to expect
The experience
A guided bike ride to Tra Que village and a hands-on gardening session in the raised herb and vegetable beds.
Best time
Morning in the dry season for cooler cycling. In the wet season, ask about rain and flooded lanes.
How long
About three and a half hours, including the ride and the gardening.
Tips
Wear muddy-friendly clothes, bring sun cream and water, and ask the operator about the plan if it rains.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and families who want a gentle, hands-on countryside visit.
- Families
- Good for children old enough to ride a bike, and the gardening keeps them engaged.
- Couples
- A relaxed morning before a long lunch in the old town.
- Pair with
- A cooking class, the market and a coffee class.
- Time needed
- A half-day with pickup in the town.
Good questions
Where is Tra Que village?+
It is a short bike ride from the edge of Hoi An old town, on the outskirts of town, and is known for its herbs and vegetables.
How long is the cycling and farming tour?+
About three and a half hours, according to the tour page.
Do I need to be a strong cyclist?+
No. The lanes are flat and the pace is easy, but heat and mud can make it harder than it looks.
What if it rains?+
November is the wet season. Rain can make lanes slippery and fields muddy, so ask the operator whether the tour runs and what the change policy is.
Do I get to do any farming?+
Yes. The tour includes time in the gardens working alongside a farmer, and the hands-on session is the main point.
