My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Private Tour with Sampan Boat

Brick temples built without mortar still stand in a jungle valley where Champa kings once worshipped.

A private tour from Da Nang visits My Son Sanctuary, the 4th-to-13th-century religious complex of the Champa Kingdom, with an English-speaking guide explaining the ruins and their Indian-influenced architecture. Then moves to Hoi An's ancient town for a walking tour of the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and Assembly Hall, a 25-minute sampan boat ride to float paper lanterns on the river, and dinner at a local restaurant near the Night Market. The tour runs about ten hours and includes entrance tickets, private transport with air conditioning, water, and the boat ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. My Son Sanctuary1h 30m · entry included
2. Hoi An Ancient Town1h 30m · entry included

My Son, Hoi An, and Night Market Tour

• Meet guide and driver at hotel
• Transfer to My Son HolyLand
• Tour My Son ruins with guide
• Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town
• Walking tour of Hoi An old quarter
• Ride Sampan boat on river
• Release paper lanterns on river
• Visit Hoi An Night Market
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Return to hotel in Hoi An or Da Nang

The experience

My Son Sanctuary sits in a clearing surrounded by jungle, away from any other buildings, and the towers that remain are built entirely of brick without mortar: a construction method the Champa people developed over more than a thousand years of occupation in central Vietnam. The site was the spiritual center of the kingdom, shaped by cultural influences from India: Shiva was the central figure of worship, and his images appear throughout what survives of the monuments. Your guide walks you through the ruins and explains their history and significance before the tour moves on.

From My Son, the tour heads to Hoi An's old quarter, where a walking tour takes in the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and the local market. Hoi An was a major trading port in the 16th and 17th centuries for ships from Japan, China and the West, and the old town still shows that mix of architectural styles. After the walking tour, you board a sampan boat for a 25-minute ride on the river, where you place paper lanterns on the water. The day ends with dinner at a local restaurant near the Night Market, where you can browse the colorful lanterns and shops before heading back to your hotel.

Pickup happens at noon from your hotel in either Hoi An or Da Nang, and the tour includes entrance tickets to both My Son and Hoi An, a private car or minivan with strong air conditioning, an English-speaking guide, water, the sampan boat ride, and dinner. The full day runs about ten hours.

What’s included

• Entrance tickets to My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town.
• private car or minivan with air conditioning.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• bottled water.
• sampan boat ride with paper lanterns.
• dinner at a local restaurant.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Da Nang Hoi An Private Tours & Shore Excursion

Is this one for you?The tour covers significant ground (My Son's ruins, Hoi An's walking streets, a river boat ride, and dinner) in a single ten-hour day with a guide handling all logistics and explanations, so you move through each site without arranging transport or entry separately.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What was My Son Sanctuary used for?

My Son Sanctuary was the spiritual heart of the Champa Kingdom, which ruled central Vietnam from the 4th to the 13th centuries. The temples were built by the Champa people and reflect cultural and spiritual influences from India, with Shiva as the central figure of worship. The brick structures, built without mortar, still stand in a jungle valley and show the scale and religious significance of the complex.

What happens during the sampan boat ride?

The sampan boat ride lasts about 25 minutes on the river in Hoi An. During the ride, you place paper lanterns on the water, a tradition meant to bring good luck.

Does the tour include meals?

Dinner at a local restaurant near the Night Market is included in the tour. Drinks and personal expenses are not covered.

How much walking is involved in Hoi An?

The tour includes a walking tour around Hoi An's old quarter where you visit the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and the local market. The walking is moderate and part of exploring the ancient town's architecture and streets.

What time does the tour start and finish?

The guide and driver meet you at your hotel at noon. The tour runs about ten hours, so you return to your hotel in the evening after dinner at the Night Market.