Duck Stop Hoi An: what really happens at the duck farms and how to choose one

The road east of Hoi An's old town changes character quickly. Within a few minutes the lantern shops thin out, the lanes narrow, and rice paddies open up on both sides, with the odd water buffalo standing knee-deep in a ditch. Somewhere behind a line of palms, a farmer lets out a long, slightly ridiculous call, and a few seconds later several hundred ducks come running across the field. This is the kind of scene that has helped Duck Stop Hoi An become popular on social media, but the experience is more than a photo opportunity. One important detail is easy to miss: Duck Stop Hoi An is a different attraction from the better-known Duck Stop in Phong Nha.

What is Duck Stop Hoi An?

Duck Stop Hoi An is a rural farm experience where visitors can interact with ducks, learn more about duck care and egg farming, and take part in simple activities such as feeding and leading the flock. Families in the villages around Hoi An have kept ducks for generations, mainly for eggs, and flocks moving through the paddies after harvest are an ordinary part of rural life here. The Duck Stop Hoi An experience takes that everyday scene of the Hoi An countryside and lets you step into it for an hour or so.

The concept did not start here. The original Duck Stop is a family farm near Phong Nha, much further north, which became famous on social media first. The duck farms around Hoi An follow a similar idea, adapted to the flat, watery landscape between the old town and the sea.

Set expectations early: a duck farm in Hoi An is a light-hearted outdoor activity, not a heritage site. You will not learn about merchant houses or the Japanese Covered Bridge. You do get fresh air, noise, laughter and a small window into how rural households make a living.

Why a duck farm became one of the more talked-about things to do in Hoi An

Hoi An's Old Town is the main focus of most visits, but the surrounding countryside offers a very different atmosphere. Rice fields, village roads and small-scale agricultural experiences are only a short ride from the centre, making them easy to add to a Hoi An itinerary. Duck Stop Hoi An fits naturally into this type of countryside outing, particularly for travellers looking for a short activity outside the historic centre. 

A duck farm slots neatly into that gap. It is short, easy to reach and works for children, grandparents and couples who simply want a funny photo. Add a steady stream of videos showing visitors half-buried in ducks and it is easy to see why Duck Stop Hoi An now appears on so many lists of things to do in Hoi An.

Duck Stop Hoi An and the different ways to book the experience

Type Duck Stop Hoi An into a map app or an online booking site and you will quickly notice more than one result. Different farms, and sometimes different operators working with the same farm, use similar names and similar photos. Broadly, you will meet three formats.

Visiting a family-run farm directly

The simplest option is to go straight to a farm yourself. At least one farm publishes its own opening hours, lists a daily midday rest period for the ducks, and asks visitors to get in touch and reserve a time slot before turning up. It also describes entry as free while charging for the duck activity itself, which is a distinction worth understanding before you arrive.

How these farms ask visitors to pay has also changed. Earlier accounts describe a voluntary contribution at the end, while recent farm information shows a set charge for the activity, so older blog posts are not a reliable guide to how things work today.

Booking a guided duck experience online

The second format is a guided session booked through an online activity platform. These are usually marketed around being a "duck leader" and around the so-called duck massage. You can expect a guide who explains how to behave around the flock, a fairly set sequence of activities and help with photos. Some listings add practical notes, such as wearing clothes you do not mind getting wet or dusty.

This format suits travellers who want certainty: a fixed time, clear inclusions and someone to translate. The trade-off is a slightly more scripted feel than turning up at a duck farm on your own.

Countryside combos with basket boats and buffalo

The third format bundles the ducks with other activities in the Hoi An countryside, usually a basket boat ride in the Cam Thanh waterways and sometimes a buffalo ride. Efficient on paper, but quality depends heavily on organisation. One published review of a combined package noted that the meeting point shown online did not match the location sent after booking, and that transport was only provided between activities, not to and from the hotel.

How to tell the farms apart before you go

Because several places share the Duck Stop Hoi An name, a few minutes of checking will save you a wasted trip. These are the questions worth asking before you book Duck Stop Hoi An in any form.

Which farm is it, exactly? Match the name, the photos and the map pin. Travellers have reported that ride-hailing drivers sometimes stop at a café a few hundred metres away rather than at the farm gate, and that the entrance is not obvious at first glance.

What does the price cover? "Free entry" does not always mean a free visit. Ask whether the fee is for entry, for the activity, or for a package that includes other stops.

Is transport included, both ways? For combined packages in particular, confirm whether you are collected from your hotel and brought back, or only moved between activities.

Do you need a time slot? Some farms pause at midday so the ducks can rest. Checking Duck Stop Hoi An opening hours on the day matters, because hours shown on different websites do not always match.

Who will guide you, and in which language? A small group also means more time with the flock and a calmer atmosphere.

How are the animals handled? A good farm explains the rules before you start and keeps visitors from chasing or grabbing the birds. More on this below.

What happens during a visit to Duck Stop Hoi An

Details vary from one duck farm to another, but most visits follow a similar rhythm.

Arriving and calling the flock

You are usually greeted at the gate, sometimes handed a conical hat, and given a quick briefing. Then comes the part people remember: learning the call. Farmers use a distinctive cry to gather the ducks, and when a visitor manages to imitate it, the flock often responds within seconds. It sounds silly, which is exactly why it works.

Feeding and "leading" the ducks

Next you are given a bucket or bowl of grain, the part of Duck Stop Hoi An most children remember. Sitting low or crouching, you offer feed from your hands while dozens of beaks tap around your palms. It feels odd for the first few seconds and then surprisingly gentle. Many farms then let you walk with the flock along the edge of the paddy, which is where the "duck leader" idea comes from. Some sessions also include a short explanation of how the ducks are raised and how eggs are collected.

The duck massage, explained without the hype

The duck massage Hoi An farms promote is less mysterious than the name suggests. Some sessions also offer a so-called “duck massage”, in which visitors sit while ducks gather around their feet to eat scattered grain. The experience can feel ticklish, and visitors who prefer not to take part can simply choose the feeding or duck-leading activities instead. The sensation is a mix of tickling and light pecking. Because you are in close contact with the ducks, long trousers can be a practical choice if you want a little more protection for your legs. If the idea does not appeal, you can simply skip it; feeding and walking with the flock are enjoyable on their own.

Photos and how long to allow

Photo support is also part of the experience advertised by the Hoi An farm, making it easy to capture the activity without having to manage your phone throughout the visit. Plan for roughly an hour on site, a little longer if you are with children or keen photographers. Some farms do not set a time limit, but the heat usually does.

Animal welfare: what a well-run duck farm looks like

For many travellers, this is the real question behind the search. Reviews of duck farms in Vietnam show some visitors arriving sceptical and leaving reassured, while others stay uneasy about the more theatrical activities. Both reactions are reasonable.

A few signs suggest a farm is taking care of its flock. Rest periods are a good one: at least one Hoi An farm publicly stops visits for an hour at midday for the ducks' health. Shade and fresh water around the pen are another. Look at how staff behave, too. A good guide shows you how to sit still and let the ducks come to you, rather than encouraging visitors to chase, lift or corner them. The group size also matters, because a calm flock needs space.

If animal welfare matters to you, pay attention to how the ducks are handled during your visit. Staff should give visitors clear instructions and discourage chasing, grabbing or cornering the birds. Shade, water and opportunities for the ducks to rest are also reassuring signs. If you are uncomfortable with any activity, you can simply watch from the side or choose a different part of the experience.

Where is Duck Stop Hoi An?

Most farms using the Duck Stop Hoi An name sit in the rice fields east of the old town, around the An My area on the way towards Cam Thanh and the coast. That detail matters more than it used to, because the map changed in 2025.

Since the 2025 administrative reorganisation, the area around Cam Chau, Cua Dai and Cẩm Thanh has been incorporated into Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City. This is why newer listings may show “An My, Hoi An Dong, Da Nang” even though the attraction is still commonly described simply as being in Hoi An. 

The farm is roughly 3–4 km from Hoi An's Old Town, depending on the route, and usually takes around 10–15 minutes by motorbike or car.

How to get to Duck Stop Hoi An

By ride-hailing app or taxi: the easiest option for most visitors. Save the exact map pin of the Duck Stop Hoi An farm you have chosen and show it to the driver, because several places nearby share similar names.

By private car: the most comfortable choice for families or for combining Duck Stop Hoi An with other countryside stops, and it solves the return trip.

By bicycle: knowing how to get to Duck Stop Hoi An by bike is useful if you like cycling, because the route through the paddies is pleasant and flat. Go early, carry water and expect little shade.

When to fit a duck farm into your Hoi An itinerary

This is where a little planning makes a real difference, both to your comfort and to the ducks.

Best time of day

Early morning or late afternoon is generally more comfortable for an outdoor visit. One current local listing also notes a midday rest period for the ducks, so check the farm's schedule before setting out. 

Which day of your stay

Avoid squeezing Duck Stop Hoi An into your arrival afternoon or departure morning. It works best as part of a day devoted to exploring the Hoi An countryside, rather than something you need to visit as a stand-alone attraction. 

Weather and seasons

Central Vietnam's wetter months usually run from around October to December, and low-lying fields near Hoi An can flood after heavy rain. Activities may be shortened or paused, so stay flexible and confirm the day before. From May to August, temperatures are generally higher, so an early-morning visit is more comfortable, although short rain showers are still possible.

Easy pairings nearby

The Duck Stop can be combined naturally with a basket boat ride in the Cam Thanh coconut waterways, since both experiences are in the countryside east of Hoi An's Old Town. Cua Dai and An Bang beaches are also within easy reach for an afternoon swim. Tra Que vegetable village, on the other hand, lies in Hoi An Tay ward, in a different direction, so it fits better on another half-day. A comfortable pattern looks like this: ducks in the early morning, a basket boat ride before the heat builds, lunch and a rest, then the old town once the lanterns come on.

Is Duck Stop Hoi An worth it?

The honest answer is that it depends on what you want from Hoi An, and on how much time you have.

It is a good fit if you are travelling with children, since Duck Stop Hoi An with kids tends to be one of the most memorable stops of a family trip. It also suits travellers who have already seen the old town and want something informal, people curious about rural life, animal lovers who are comfortable with close contact, and anyone with a spare morning.

You might skip it if you only have a day in Hoi An and would rather spend it on the old town, if you are mainly interested in history and architecture, or if close contact with animals makes you uncomfortable. Ask yourself, is Duck Stop Hoi An worth it for the way you like to travel? For a short stay, a walk through the old town, a boat on the Thu Bon river and a cooking class may matter more.

In other words, the Hoi An Duck Stop experience is a pleasant extra rather than a must-see, at its best as part of a relaxed day in the Hoi An countryside.

Practical tips for your visit

• Wear light clothes you do not mind getting dusty or damp, and consider long trousers if you plan to try the duck massage.
• Bring a hat, sun protection and water.
• Save the exact map location of your chosen farm and share it with your driver.
• Confirm the time slot, the midday break and what the fee covers before setting off.
• Follow the guide's instructions around the flock and let the ducks come to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is there only one Duck Stop in Hoi An?

No. Several farms and activity operators in the countryside around Hoi An use the Duck Stop name or something very close to it. They differ in format, guiding, transport and how they charge, so always check which farm a listing refers to before booking.

Where is Duck Stop Hoi An located now?

The farms are mostly in the rice fields east of the old town, around the An My area towards Cam Thanh. Since July 2025 this area belongs to Hoi An Dong ward, Da Nang city, which merged the former Cam Chau, Cua Dai and Cam Thanh.

Do I need to book Duck Stop Hoi An in advance?

Booking is not necessarily required for every visit, but reserving ahead can be useful if you are travelling in a group or booking through an activity platform. Since opening hours and activity times can change, it is worth checking the current schedule before you go.

How long does a visit to Duck Stop Hoi An take?

Allow about an hour at the farm, plus travel time from your hotel. With the transfer from the old town, most visitors spend around two hours in total, or half a day when the farm is combined with a basket boat ride nearby.

Is Duck Stop Hoi An suitable for young children?

Yes, for most children. Kids usually love feeding the flock and walking with the ducks. Very young or nervous children can simply watch or feed from a bowl, and parents may prefer to skip the duck massage, which can leave light scratches.

What should I wear to Duck Stop Hoi An?

Choose light clothing you do not mind getting dusty or wet, closed or easy-to-clean shoes, a hat and sun protection. Long trousers are a sensible choice if you plan to try the duck massage.

Is Duck Stop Hoi An the same as the Duck Stop in Phong Nha?

No. The Duck Stop near Phong Nha is a separate family farm much further north, several hours' drive from Hoi An. The Hoi An farms follow a similar concept, but they are different businesses in a different part of central Vietnam.

Final thoughts

Duck Stop Hoi An is a small attraction rather than one of the region's major sights, and that is part of its appeal. It offers a light-hearted break from the Old Town and a chance to spend some time in the surrounding countryside. The key is choosing the right farm and the right format for your group, visiting at a comfortable time of day, and giving it space in a slower countryside morning rather than squeezing it between other sights.

Planning your days in Hoi An

If you would like the ducks, a basket boat and a quiet cycle through the paddies to fit naturally around the rest of your trip, the local team at Vietnam Original Travel can help shape your Hoi An days. Just share your travel dates, the number of travellers, their ages, the pace you enjoy and the experiences that matter most to you. We will suggest a rhythm that leaves room for both the old town and the countryside.