The area surrounding Hoi An is a lowland environment with interconnecting canals and many island channels along the ‘Thu Bon’ river near the mouth. These flat lands are perfect for exploring on bicycle. We ventured through the surrounding rice paddies at the city's edge, and within 20 minutes we found ourselves peddaling through the vegetable village on ‘Tra Que’ island. These community garden plots are located in the center of this small island and surrounded by the farmers' homes.
In and around these islands, we also came across several small scale shrimp farms. These enclosed ponds contain all important aerators, and invariably, an old boat to facilitate the farmers ability to distribute feed.
This tin strip shrimp farm boat with rough wood gunnels may not look seaworthy, but it apparently does the job.
We also saw traditional basket boats or ‘Thung Chai’, all along these inland waterways. They are made from tightly woven bamboo strips and are sealed with a resin coating of coconut oil, tar or now fiberglass resin. Paddling these odd little boats has become a popular tourist activity, and they have an interesting history. During the French colonial period boats were heavily taxed, so poor fishermen unwilling or unable to comply created the ‘Thung Chai’, a basket, not a boat!
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