The forest is around three kilometers from the UNESCO heritage town of Hoi An, in Cam Thanh Commune. It once sheltered Vietnamese troops from shelling and raids during the Vietnam War.
In 2009, Quang Nam Province recognized the Bay Mau nipa palm forest as an eco-tourism site and allowed locals to offer coracle tours and homestay services to boost tourism and their income.
Locals say their ancestors brought nipa palm trees from the Mekong Delta 200 years ago. Over the years, as people noticed their ability to protect the coast from erosion, strong waves and winds, more nipa palm trees were planted.
The nipa forest area was only around 3.5 hectares at the beginning. Today, the total area has expanded to 120 hectares.
The government has categorized nipa palms in Cam Thanh as a protected forest, which means they cannot be chopped down or otherwise exploited.
A coracle tour that takes about 45 minutes costs VND150,000 (US$6.44) per person including entry fees. Visitors can watch crab fishing and fishermen performing a unique dance on their coracles.
They can also learn about the daily life of local farmers while participating in traditional activities including fishing and enjoying dishes made with freshly-caught seafood.
Travelers who wish to explore the forest but stay off the water can also rent a motorbike for about $5 a day or request a complimentary bicycle from the hotel reception.