My Son Sanctuary Early Morning Tour with Local Guide

Summary

Private Sunrise Visit to My Son from Hoi An

You’ll wander ancient Cham temples at sunrise with a local guide who knows every story and stone. Enjoy quiet moments before crowds arrive, fresh morning air in the jungle, and a hot coffee on arrival — all before breakfast back at your hotel. It’s an early start you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

The headlights cut through the last bit of night as we left Hoi An behind — honestly, I was barely awake, clutching my coffee like a lifeline. Nguyen, our guide, was already wide-eyed and grinning. He joked that the Cham kings probably didn’t have to wake up this early for their rituals. The air smelled faintly of wet earth when we stepped out at My Son Sanctuary, and there was this hush — just birds and the soft crunch of gravel underfoot. No crowds yet. That felt rare.

Nguyen led us along mossy paths between the brick towers, pointing out carvings I’d never have noticed on my own (the way he said “Bhadresvara” made me try it too — he laughed at my attempt). The temples looked almost orange in the first light, shadows stretching long across the grass. He told us about how French scholars tried to restore these ruins in the 1930s, and then how much was lost during the war. It’s strange — you can still see scars on some stones if you look close enough.

I kept expecting more people to show up but it stayed quiet for most of our visit. We had time to just stand there, breathing in that cool jungle air and listening to Nguyen explain why Shiva mattered so much here. There were wild birds darting around — one landed right on a broken lintel while I was fiddling with my camera settings (missed that shot). By the time we left, buses were starting to roll in and I felt oddly lucky to have seen it before all that noise arrived.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning Visit to My Son Sanctuary

• Visit My Son Sanctuary temples
• Return to hotel for breakfast

Top questions

What time does the My Son early morning tour start?

The tour starts with hotel pickup around 5:00am.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in your booking.

How long does it take to drive from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary?

The drive takes about one hour each way.

How much time do we spend at My Son Sanctuary?

You’ll spend roughly two hours exploring the site with your guide.

Is breakfast provided during the tour?

Coffee or tea is included; breakfast is after you return to your hotel.

Are entry tickets included in the price?

Yes, entry tickets are covered by your booking.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, transportation and most areas are wheelchair accessible; strollers are welcome too.

Will there be many other tourists at My Son during this tour?

No, going early means you’ll avoid most crowds and have quieter temple views.

What’s included

Your morning includes hotel pickup around 5:00am in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local English-speaking guide, entry tickets for My Son Sanctuary, bottled water for the walk, fresh coffee or tea on arrival, and all fuel surcharges before returning you back to your hotel by mid-morning.