Detailed Itinerary
HOI AN – MY SON SANCTUARY – THU BON RIVER SUNSET – HOI AN
1:30 PM – Depart from Hoi An
Your English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hoi An between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM, depending on your hotel’s location.
Leave Hoi An behind and travel through the countryside towards My Son Sanctuary. The journey takes you away from the busy streets of the old town and into the peaceful rural landscapes of central Vietnam.
3:00 PM – Discover My Son Sanctuary
Arrive at My Son Sanctuary, an important archaeological and cultural site associated with the ancient Champa Kingdom.
Spend around two hours exploring the temple complex on foot. Your local English-speaking guide will introduce you to the history, architecture and religious traditions of the Champa civilization as you walk among the ancient brick towers and surrounding landscape.
The site is especially atmospheric in the afternoon, when the surrounding forest and mountains create a peaceful setting for exploring the ruins.
You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Champa cultural performance, featuring local music and dance inspired by the heritage of the Cham people.
After exploring My Son, return to the vehicle and transfer to the nearby pier.
Board a local boat for a scenic journey back towards Hoi An along the Thu Bon River.
As the afternoon light begins to soften, enjoy the fresh breeze on the river and watch the countryside pass by. This is a relaxing contrast to the walking and sightseeing at My Son.
Keep your camera ready for views of riverside villages, fishing boats, farmland and local daily life along the river.
As the sun begins to set, the river becomes a particularly beautiful place to enjoy the final part of the journey.
- Travel style: Cultural Heritage / Sunset Cruise / History / Scenic / Local Life
- Transfer: Tourist bus / Boat
- Local guide: Local English-speaking guide
- Meals: Banh Mi Hoi AN
What’s Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel/accommodation in Hoi An Ancient Town
- Round-trip transportation between Hoi An and My Son
- English-speaking local guide
- Entrance ticket to My Son Sanctuary (150,000 VND)
- Scenic boat trip from the My Son area towards Hoi An
- 1 bottle of drinking water
- Bánh Mì Hoi An
- Traditional Champa cultural performance, subject to the performance schedule
What’s Not Included
- Beverages
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide and driver
- Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
Sophie de Vries (Netherlands) –
An Authentic and Relaxing Experience
We booked this tour because we wanted to see My Son without spending a whole day away from Hoi An, and it turned out to be a great choice.
The sanctuary is a fascinating place. I especially liked how our guide connected the temple ruins with the history of the Cham civilization. It made the visit much more meaningful than simply walking around and taking pictures.
The boat ride afterwards was a lovely surprise. The Thu Bon River looked beautiful in the late afternoon light, and we enjoyed slowing down and taking in the scenery after exploring the temples. It was a peaceful and memorable end to the day.
Our guide was helpful, the arrangements were smooth, and the overall pace was comfortable. I would happily recommend this experience to couples, solo travellers and anyone visiting central Vietnam.
Michael Anderson (USA) –
A Beautiful Afternoon Away from Hoi An
We had a wonderful afternoon exploring My Son Sanctuary. The ancient Cham temples were fascinating, and our guide explained the history and culture in a very interesting and easy-to-understand way.
The best part was ending the trip with a peaceful boat ride along the Thu Bon River. Watching the sunset over the river was beautiful and made the whole experience feel very special. A lovely half-day tour and excellent value for money!
Daniel Foster (Canada) –
Worth Every Minute!
Really enjoyed this tour! My Son was incredible, especially for anyone interested in history and ancient architecture. The sunset boat ride was the perfect way to finish the afternoon. Friendly guide, smooth transport and great overall experience. Would definitely recommend!
Alice Brown (United Kingdom) –
History, Local Culture and a Magical Sunset
This was such a lovely experience and one of our favourite afternoons in Hoi An.
My Son Sanctuary was much more impressive than we expected. We enjoyed walking around the ancient temple ruins, learning about the Champa Kingdom and discovering the fascinating details of the architecture. Our guide was excellent, very friendly and clearly passionate about the history of the place.
After visiting the sanctuary, we continued to the Thu Bon River for a relaxing sunset boat trip. The atmosphere was wonderful, with beautiful views of the river and surrounding countryside. It was a perfect contrast to the historical visit earlier in the afternoon.
We also appreciated the small group size, which made the experience more personal and comfortable. Everything was well organized, and the timing was just right. Highly recommended if you are staying in Hoi An and want to explore something beyond the Old Town.