Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An: How to Visit (2026 Guide)

Just across the Thu Bon River from Hoi An’s Old Town, on quiet Cam Kim Island, sits one of central Vietnam’s most storied craft villages. Kim Bong Carpentry Village has shaped wood for over 500 years — its carpenters built parts of Hoi An’s Old Town and even carved for the royal palaces of Hue. This guide covers the history, all four ways to get there, what to see, and the practical details to plan a half-day trip.

A 500-year history carved in wood

Kim Bong’s story began around the 15th–16th century, when woodworkers migrated south from the Red River Delta and north-central Vietnam and settled on the fertile banks of the Thu Bon. As the port of Hoi An boomed in the 16th–17th centuries, so did demand for their skills — and the village grew into one of the country’s great centres of carpentry.

Over the generations, Kim Bong’s carpenters split into three specialised guilds that still define the village today:

• Construction carpentry — the master builders who raised wooden houses, temples and communal halls. Their hands helped build much of Hoi An’s Old Town, and Kim Bong artisans were even summoned to carve for the royal palaces of Hue.
• Boat & ship building — concentrated on the village’s eastern side, crafting the sturdy wooden fishing boats and river craft of central Vietnam.
• Fine & civil carpentry — furniture, altar cabinets, religious statues and the intricate dragon, phoenix, peacock and floral carvings the village is famous for.

That heritage is why Kim Bong is sometimes called a living “museum” of Vietnamese woodcraft — not a re-created tourist set, but a working village where the craft has never stopped.

How to get to Kim Bong Carpentry Village (4 ways)

Kim Bong sits on Cam Kim Island, directly across the river from Hoi An’s Old Town. It’s genuinely close — pick the way that fits your style:

Way	Time	Best for
🚲 Bicycle	~15–20 min	Slow, scenic, eco-friendly
🛥️ Boat / ferry	~10–30 min	The classic, most scenic arrival
🏍️ Motorbike	~15 min	Freedom to loop the whole island
🚕 Taxi / Grab	~15 min	Groups, or avoiding the heat

By bicycle or motorbike (via Cam Kim Bridge)

From the Old Town, head west/south along Nguyen Duy Hieu toward Cam Kim Bridge. Cross the bridge (it’s narrow — ride carefully), continue straight, then follow the signs a few kilometres to the village. The route is flat and easy. Grab a bicycle in Hoi An for the eco-friendly version, or rent a motorbike if you want to loop the whole quiet island afterwards.

By boat

The most atmospheric way. Small boats and the local ferry leave from the Bach Dang riverside in the Old Town and cross to Cam Kim in about 10 minutes (longer, scenic river tours run 30–45 minutes). Agree the price and pickup time with the operator before you set off.

What to see & do at Kim Bong

The village is small and walkable — leave the bike at the entrance and wander on foot. Here’s what makes the visit worthwhile:

• Watch artisans at work. Step into open workshops and see craftsmen shaping furniture, altar cabinets and statues by hand — from choosing the timber to the final polish. Many are happy to explain (and sell) their work.
• See traditional boat building. On the village’s eastern side, watch wooden fishing boats and river craft take shape on the slipways — a rare sight in modern Vietnam.
• Admire the carvings. Look for the classic tứ linh (dragon, unicorn, turtle, phoenix), peacocks, lotus and folk scenes rendered in astonishing detail.
• Try woodworking yourself. Some workshops offer short hands-on carpentry sessions — a fun, memorable souvenir you make with your own hands.
• Buy a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Wooden statues, bowls, lanterns and small furniture, straight from the maker at village prices.
• Explore Cam Kim Island. Beyond the village, the island is a patchwork of rice paddies, sleepy lanes and river views — one of the most relaxing cycle loops around Hoi An.

With half a day you can easily pair Kim Bong with Thanh Ha Pottery Village (about 5 km away) for a two-craft day trip.

Opening hours, tickets & best time to visit

Kim Bong is a real, lived-in village rather than a ticketed attraction, so the practicalities are refreshingly simple.

Detail	Information
Entrance fee	Free
Opening hours	No fixed hours — visit in daylight; workshops most active in the morning
Location	Cam Kim Commune (Cam Kim Island), Hoi An, Quang Nam
Best season	Dry season, roughly February–August
Time needed	2–3 hours (half a day with Cam Kim / Thanh Ha)
Craft festival	6th day of the 1st lunar month (founders’ anniversary)

Come in the morning to catch the most workshops open and beat the midday heat. If you can time it with the Kim Bong craft festival on the 6th of the first lunar month (just after Tet), you’ll see ceremonies and demonstrations honouring the village’s founders.

Tips for visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village

• Bring cash. Small workshops and boat operators rarely take cards; small notes make buying souvenirs and paying for the ferry easy.
• Go in the morning. More workshops are active, the light is lovely, and you dodge the afternoon heat.
• Wear comfy shoes. You’ll walk on uneven ground and wood shavings — sandals or trainers beat flip-flops.
• Ask before photographing people. The artisans are welcoming, but a quick smile and gesture goes a long way.
• Combine it into a loop. Cycle across Cam Kim Bridge, visit the village, ride the island’s rice-paddy lanes, then return by boat — or vice versa.
• Support the makers. Buying directly, or tipping for a hands-on carving session, keeps the 500-year craft alive.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Kim Bong Carpentry Village from Hoi An?

Four ways: cycle or ride a motorbike across Cam Kim Bridge (about 15–20 minutes), take a 10-minute boat/ferry from the Bach Dang riverside in the Old Town, or grab a taxi. The village is on Cam Kim Island, directly across the Thu Bon River.

Is there an entrance fee for Kim Bong Village?

No. Kim Bong is a working village and entry is free. You only pay for boat transport, any hands-on woodworking session, and the souvenirs you choose to buy.

How much time do you need at Kim Bong?

Around 2–3 hours to see the workshops, boat yards and buy souvenirs. Combine it with Cam Kim Island or Thanh Ha Pottery Village and it becomes a relaxed half-day trip.

What is Kim Bong Carpentry Village famous for?

Over 500 years of woodworking. Its carpenters helped build Hoi An’s Old Town and carved for the royal palaces of Hue, and the village still produces fine furniture, religious statues, detailed carvings and traditional wooden boats.

When is the Kim Bong craft festival?

On the 6th day of the first lunar month (just after Tet), the village honours its founding artisans with ceremonies and craft demonstrations — a great time to visit.

Planning to explore Hoi An and beyond? Rent a motorbike in Hoi An from Anh Khoa — 300+ well-maintained bikes, free hotel delivery, and 24/7 road assistance. It’s the easiest way to reach Kim Bong, loop Cam Kim Island, and chain together the craft villages at your own pace.