My Son Sanctuary & Rice Noodle Making Tour with Boat Ride

Summary

Walk ancient ruins taste fresh phở ride thu bon river home

You’ll wander My Son Sanctuary’s ancient ruins with a local guide before joining a family for hands-on rice noodle making—the heart of real phở. Watch traditional Cham dance in the morning light, then unwind with a gentle boat ride down the Thu Bon River. It’s history you can touch, flavors you’ll remember, and quiet moments you might keep long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to stand in the middle of My Son Sanctuary before the crowds wake up? I didn’t expect the quiet. Our guide, Hieu, met us right at the hotel in Hoi An—he waved with this sleepy grin that made me laugh. The drive out was soft morning light and rice fields still wet from last night’s rain. I kept thinking about how old these temples really are, but it’s different seeing them up close—mossy bricks, carvings you can touch. At one point I just stopped listening to facts and watched a butterfly land on a broken stone. It smelled earthy, almost sweet after the rain.

We caught the Cham dance right as the sun started warming things up—bright costumes, bells on ankles, music that felt both ancient and kind of hypnotic. Hieu leaned over and whispered a bit about each movement (I’m sure I mixed up half of it). Afterward, he pointed out how some towers had survived centuries while others were just piles of brick. There was this moment where he paused and said his grandfather used to bring him here as a kid—I liked that.

Lunch was at a local family’s house nearby. I’ll admit: my attempt at making rice noodles for phở was clumsy at best (the grandmother giggled every time my sheet tore). The kitchen smelled like steamed rice and something floral I couldn’t place. We sat down together and slurped our bowls—mine tasted better because I’d worked for it, you know? On the way back, we climbed onto this wooden boat for a slow drift along the Thu Bon River. Wind in my face, muddy banks sliding by, someone burning leaves in the distance—it all felt very far from city noise. I still think about that view sometimes when things get busy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — My Son tour and noodle making

• Hotel pickup at 7:30 AM
• Walk around My Son Sanctuary
• Watch traditional Cham dance
• Lunch at local family home
• Learn to make fresh rice noodles
• Taste handmade phở noodles
• Boat trip on Thu Bon River
• Return to hotel by 1:30 PM

Top questions

How long is the My Son Sanctuary & rice noodle tour?

The tour lasts around 6 hours including pickup from Hoi An, guided walk at My Son Sanctuary, noodle making lunch, and boat ride.

Is hotel pickup included from Hoi An?

Yes, hotel pickup in Hoi An is included at around 7:30 AM.

Do I need to buy an entry ticket for My Son?

If your booking is after September 29th, 2025, entry ticket is included; otherwise check with your provider.

What food is served during lunch?

You’ll make fresh rice noodles and enjoy homemade phở at a local family’s house.

Is there a boat trip on this tour?

Yes—a 30-minute wooden boat ride on the Thu Bon River is part of the return journey.

Are there performances at My Son Sanctuary?

A traditional Cham dance show takes place around 9:30 AM during your visit.

Who leads the tour?

An English-speaking local guide accompanies you throughout the day trip from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary and beyond.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour suits most fitness levels but involves walking around temple ruins for about two hours.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Hoi An by air-conditioned vehicle, guided exploration of My Son Sanctuary with all entrance fees (for bookings after September 29th, 2025), hands-on rice noodle making followed by lunch with a local family, and finishes with a peaceful wooden boat ride along the Thu Bon River before drop-off back at your hotel.