Visiting Tra Que Herb Village: A Nice Day Trip from Hoi An, Vietnam

Tra Que is a small farming community located about 2 kilometers northeast of Hoi An. It’s an easy bicycle ride and a quite scenic one which involves pedaling past rice fields, glassy rivers, and lazy water buffaloes lounging in the mud.

I cycled out to Tra Que not really knowing what I would find there, and I was met with a peaceful oasis where herbs grow in neat rows and where farmers work the land by hand.

While I arrived a bit late in the day when things on the farm were beginning to wind down, if you plan in advance you can expect to take part in a few of these activities:

Activities at Tra Que

Be a farmer!

Yes, for a day you can join one of the local farmers and get a feel of what it is like to work the land – water the crops, fertilize the land with seaweed from the nearby lake, pick up a hoe and get your hands muddy. What better way to get an insight into the local way of life?

Learn to cook.

Tra Que Herb Village opened its own restaurant Waterwheel just a few months ago and it is already getting rave reviews. The family behind this restaurant is not only skilled in the cooking department, but they are also passionate about sharing their local recipes and techniques. The best part is that you know you are getting the freshest ingredients because they’ve literally been picked that day from the local farm.

Make rice paper.

Rice paper is an important staple in Vietnamese cuisine – you may be familiar with it if you have eaten fresh spring rolls, as this is what it used to wrap the rolls. If you are interested in the process of rice paper making – rice grinding, boiling, stretching and drying – then there is a workshop just for you.

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Most people come to Tra Que to take part in one of the above mentioned tours, but I biked here for the food alone and ended up having one of the best meals out of my entire month in Vietnam! That’s speaking very highly of this restaurant because the food has been amazing everywhere in Vietnam.

Top dishes at Waterwheel in Tra Que

The young girl who runs the family restaurant recommended three dishes accompanied with a ginger and basil seed drink, and that’s exactly what I had.

Three friends

Like the name suggests, this dish is made using three ingredients that complement each other wonderfully. I was pleasantly surprised by these bite-sized pork and shrimp appetizers carefully wrapped in greens picked from the local farm.

Papaya salad

This is one dish that surprised me. Does it have papaya, does it not have papaya? If you are expecting a plate full of ripe orange papayas, you will be disappointed – but not for long! This dish is made using shredded unripe papaya (which is light in colour), carrots, and bean sprouts as the main ingredients. Add some peanuts, fresh coriander, chilli and lime, and you have yourself a refreshingly tangy salad that is perfect for a hot day.

Bánh xèo

This dish is best described as a crossover between a fluffy pancake and a thick crepe. While the batter is still frying on the skillet, shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and green onions are added on top. The pancake is then folded in half, and voila – a masterpiece!

You can choose to eat the pancake as is and it would be delicious, but the Vietnamese way involves cutting the pancake into smaller pieces and wrapping these in rice paper with some added lettuce and herbs. You are then left with a delicious spring roll in your hand, which you can dip in a sweet and tangy sauce.

If you ever find yourself in Hoi An, I highly recommend this place as a little side day trip!

Have you ever gone out for dinner at an organic farm?

Planning Your Tra Que Visit: Getting There, Things to Do and Where to Stay

Getting to Tra Que from Hoi An

The village is only 2 kilometres away and the journey itself is worth the trip.

• Distance: About 2 km northeast — a 10 to 15 minute bike ride or a leisurely 30-minute walk.
• Best way: Rent a bicycle in town — most guesthouses and hotels offer rentals for $1–2 a day. The route is flat, scenic and safe, with rice fields, lotus ponds and the occasional water buffalo keeping you company.
• Route: Head northeast past An Bang Beach Road, follow the small “Tra Que Vegetable Village” signs and enjoy the views. You really can’t get lost.

Hands-On Village Experiences

Tra Que isn’t just for observing — you’re welcome to join in.

Organic Farming Workshops

• Get muddy: Roll up your sleeves and learn what goes into Tra Que’s famously aromatic herbs — basil, coriander, Vietnamese mint and more. You’ll help water beds with traditional shoulder yokes, fertilize with river seaweed, and plant or harvest depending on the season.
• Learn the rhythms: Farmers here use methods passed down through generations to keep the soil rich without chemicals. Ask questions, take photos, and appreciate how much care goes into every bunch of herbs that ends up on a Hoi An plate.

Vietnamese Cooking Classes

• From garden to table: Many homestays and the Waterwheel restaurant offer interactive classes, often beginning with picking your own herbs straight from the field.
• What you’ll cook: Expect classics like bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake), gỏi đu đủ (green papaya salad) and spring rolls — all made better with just-picked flavours.
• Why it’s special: There’s something genuinely memorable about preparing a dish while surrounded by the very ingredients that star on your plate.

Rice Paper Making

• Hands-on: Try grinding the rice, stirring the batter and carefully stretching and drying the delicate rounds — it’s more satisfying than it sounds.
• Family-friendly: Great for kids and for travellers who love a behind-the-scenes food experience.

More Dishes Worth Ordering

The three dishes the Waterwheel team recommended are covered in the post above, but a few more are worth knowing about if you’re planning to linger.

Papaya Salad (Gỏi Đu Đủ)

Light, crunchy and herb-packed. A proper palate refresher on a hot day — don’t skip the lime and chilli.

Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Pancake)

Crispy outside, soft inside, with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and herbs. Wrap in fresh lettuce and rice paper, dunk in nước chấm dipping sauce. As fun to eat as it is to watch being made.

Three Friends (Ba Người Bạn)

Pork, shrimp and fresh farm herbs — sometimes with rice vermicelli or a delicate pancake wrap. Best enjoyed alongside the ginger-basil seed drink.

Ginger and Basil Seed Drink

Served chilled, slightly sweet, with a hint of spice and tiny basil seeds for texture. Refreshing, unusual and very Tra Que.

Other menu standouts:

• White rose dumplings (bánh bao vạc)
• Cao lầu noodles
• Fresh herb omelettes
• Anything featuring perilla or Vietnamese coriander

Timing Your Visit

Tra Que runs on farming hours, so the mood shifts with the sun:

Where to Stay in Hoi An

Tra Que is an easy half-day from anywhere in Hoi An, but staying close to the Ancient Town means you can cycle out in the morning and be back for the evening lanterns. Two properties that work well as a base:

• Bel Marina Hoi An Resort — set on the river with multiple pools and a 7-minute walk to the Ancient Town. A good choice if you want easy water views alongside quick access to town and the Tra Que cycling route.
• Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa — on the banks of the Thu Bon River with an outdoor pool, spa and complimentary bicycles. The free bikes are a practical bonus for the Tra Que ride specifically.

Tra Que Herb Village FAQ

Where is Tra Que Herb Village and how do I get there from Hoi An?

It sits about 2 km northeast of Hoi An Ancient Town. The easiest way is by bicycle (10–15 minutes on flat roads) via An Bang Road, following signs for “Tra Que Vegetable Village.” Scooters and taxis work too.

What makes Tra Que special?

It’s a centuries-old organic herb community where farmers fertilize with lake seaweed and tend beds entirely by hand — no chemicals — producing intensely aromatic basil, perilla, mint and coriander used throughout Hoi An cuisine.

What can I actually do there?

Join farm sessions (watering with shoulder yokes, planting and harvesting), take Vietnamese cooking classes that start in the garden, or try a rice-paper workshop (grind, steam, stretch, dry). Many places bundle activities with lunch.

Do I need to book ahead?

You can freely wander the lanes, but reserve in advance for farm experiences, cooking classes or tastings — late mornings and late afternoons are popular and often fill up.

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning (6–9 a.m.) is cool with farmers active in the fields; late afternoon (3–5 p.m.) brings golden light and gentler heat. Midday is quieter in the fields but ideal for cooking classes and lunch.

How long should I allow?

A simple stroll plus lunch takes 1.5–2 hours. Adding farm, cooking or rice-paper activities makes it a relaxed 3–4 hour half-day. It pairs nicely with An Bang Beach on the same outing.

What should I wear and bring?

Light clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a refillable water bottle and washable sandals or sneakers. Bring small cash for tips and purchases, and a camera.

Is there an entrance fee?

No fee to explore the village lanes. Guided farm sessions, cooking classes and workshops are paid; prices vary by provider and what’s included.

What should I eat or drink there?

Local favourites include bánh xèo (crispy pancake wrapped with herbs and rice paper), green papaya salad, “Three Friends” (pork-shrimp-herb bites) and the refreshing ginger and basil-seed drink.

Any etiquette or photography tips?

Greet with “xin chào,” ask before photographing people, keep bikes on paths and never step on the planted beds. Tipping hosts or instructors is appreciated after activities.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes — flat cycling, gentle farm tasks, rice-paper demos and adaptable cooking classes make it great for children. Hosts can adjust spice levels and knife work to suit different ages.

Can I combine Tra Que with nearby spots?

Absolutely. Popular combinations: Tra Que in the morning followed by An Bang Beach for a midday swim and Hoi An lanterns at dusk; or farm plus cooking class followed by a scenic cycle back through the rice fields.