My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Cruise: Small Group Day Trip

Summary

Ancient temples, riverside cruise and real home cooking from Hoi An

You’ll walk among ancient ruins at My Son Sanctuary with a local guide who shares stories you won’t find in any book. Watch traditional ChamPa dance echo off old stones, then sit down for a real Vietnamese meal in someone’s home before drifting back to Hoi An by riverboat. It’s not rushed — just moments that linger longer than you’d expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the morning sun hit the mossy bricks at My Son Sanctuary — kind of gold and green at the same time, with mist still hanging in the trees. Our guide, Minh, started telling stories before we’d even left the van. He grew up nearby, so he knew all these little things: which carvings meant what, how the Cham people used to build without mortar. There was this moment when we stopped talking because a dance performance started — you could hear just the sound of bells and feet on stone. I didn’t expect it to feel so quiet there, honestly.

After wandering through My Son (I lost count of how many towers), we followed Minh back to a local house for lunch. The kitchen smelled like garlic and caramelized pork — I tried to help set the table but mostly got in the way. The family served us braised pork, green beans with garlic, fried egg, mushroom soup… everything tasted simple but comforting. Minh laughed when I tried to say “cam on” properly; I probably butchered it. We sat around for a while longer than planned — nobody seemed in a rush.

The boat ride back toward Hoi An felt almost lazy in that sticky afternoon way. Water hyacinths drifted past and someone pointed out fishermen untangling nets along the bank. The city crept up slowly — lanterns starting to appear as we got closer. I still think about that hour floating downriver; it’s hard to describe but it felt like being between two worlds for a bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An cruise

• Pick up at Hoi An hotel
• Depart to My Son Sanctuary
• Explore My Son Sanctuary
• Watch ChamPa dance show
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch at local home
• Depart to Hoi An
• Take cruise trip to Hoi An
• Drop off at Hoi An hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary?

The tour lasts about 6 hours including pickup, sanctuary visit, lunch or snack, cruise and drop-off.

Is lunch included on this My Son Sanctuary tour?

Yes, morning tours include a Vietnamese meal at a local house; afternoon tours include Vietnamese bread.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Hoi An or Da Nang?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are provided for hotels in city center areas of Hoi An or Da Nang.

What is special about the cruise back to Hoi An?

You return by riverboat after visiting My Son Sanctuary and sharing lunch or bread with locals.

Are there live performances at My Son Sanctuary?

Yes, you can watch a traditional ChamPa dance show during your visit.

Is this small group or private tour?

This is a small group tour with up to 13 participants.

Is this day trip suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and infants may join if seated on an adult’s lap.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central Hoi An or Da Nang, entry to My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide who actually knows his stuff (and jokes), water throughout the trip, either a proper Vietnamese lunch at a local house or fresh bread depending on timing, plus an unhurried cruise back toward Hoi An before you’re dropped off again.