My Son Sanctuary: Sunset Tour & Boat Dinner from Hoi An

Summary

Cham towers at dusk, riverside breeze and a gentle boat ride back

You’ll wander My Son Sanctuary’s ancient ruins with a local guide, watch traditional Cham dance up close, then float back to Hoi An at sunset while sharing dinner on a private boat. Expect quiet moments among red brick towers and gentle river breezes that linger long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

We were already rolling out of Hoi An by 1pm, the van windows catching that sticky afternoon heat. Our guide, Minh, had this way of pointing out things you’d never notice — a guy selling sugarcane juice on the corner, or how the rice fields turn almost silver when the sun’s high. The drive to My Son Sanctuary took maybe an hour? I lost track after Minh started telling us about Champa kings and how the brick towers have stood for centuries, even with all that moss clinging to them. I kept thinking about how quiet it felt as we stepped into the site — just cicadas buzzing and our shoes crunching on old stone.

I didn’t expect to feel so small wandering between those red brick towers. Minh showed us carvings I’d have missed on my own — some worn smooth by rain, others sharp like they were chiseled last week. The air smelled faintly smoky (someone burning leaves nearby?) and there was this moment during the Cham dance performance where I caught myself grinning like an idiot. The dancers’ anklets jingled in time with a drumbeat that seemed to echo off every wall. Li laughed when I tried to say “xin chào” to one of the performers — probably butchered it, but she smiled anyway.

After that, we piled back into the minibus as dusk crept in. There was this soft gold light over everything by the riverbank where our boat waited — honestly, I thought we’d be crammed in with other groups but it was just us and Minh chatting about his favorite noodle shops in Hoi An. Dinner on the boat was simple: banh my sandwiches wrapped in paper and cold drinks as we drifted downstream. Sometimes you could hear someone singing from a house along the water; sometimes just the slap of water against wood. Watching Hoi An’s lanterns flicker on as we got closer — yeah, I still think about that view.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — My Son visit and boat trip

• Pick up at hotel lobby
• Travel to My Son holy land
• Walk and explore historic ruins
• Learn about brick towers and history
• Watch traditional Cham dance
• Travel to riverside by minibus
• Take private boat to Hoi An
• Enjoy dinner and sunset on boat
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does the My Son sunset tour last?

The tour runs from 1:00 pm to around 6:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in Hoi An (and optionally Da Nang).

What’s included in the boat dinner?

Dinner includes Vietnamese banh my sandwiches and drinks served on board during the sunset cruise back to Hoi An.

Are entrance tickets for My Son Sanctuary included?

Entrance tickets are included for bookings after September 29th, 2025.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the entire experience.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour involves walking over uneven ground; it may not suit all mobility levels.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Does this day trip visit anywhere besides My Son Sanctuary?

The main focus is My Son Sanctuary; after visiting, you’ll take a riverside boat back to Hoi An.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup from Hoi An (or Da Nang if needed), guided exploration of My Son Sanctuary with entry fees covered (for bookings after Sept 2025), a live Cham dance performance, private minibus transfer to the riverbank, sunset boat ride back to Hoi An with dinner served onboard before drop-off at your hotel.