My Son Sanctuary & Thu Bon River Sunset Small Group Tour

Summary

My Son ruins by afternoon light, Champa dance & river breeze to Hoi An

You’ll wander ancient My Son Sanctuary with a local guide who brings old legends alive, watch hypnotic Champa dancing among mossy towers, float down Thu Bon River at sunset with a fresh Banh My in hand, and return to Hoi An just as lanterns start glowing. It’s less about checking boxes than letting Vietnam’s history and evening air get under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the sound—cicadas buzzing like static as we stepped out of the van at My Son Sanctuary. Our guide, Hieu, grinned and handed out cold water bottles (needed that). The air was heavy with that green smell you only get in old places after rain. I’d seen photos of these red brick towers before but standing there, sunlight slanting through the gaps and moss everywhere, it felt different. Hieu told us stories about the Champa kings—he had this way of pausing for effect that made even my jetlag fade for a minute.

We wandered between crumbling temples while a group set up for the traditional Champa Apsara dance. I didn’t expect to be so drawn in by it—the music echoed weirdly off the stones and the dancers’ hands moved so slowly I almost forgot to blink. At one point, a little kid from another group tried to copy their gestures and everyone laughed, including one of the dancers. I caught a whiff of incense from somewhere behind us. Honestly, I still think about how quiet it felt right then.

After two hours or so (I lost track), we piled back into the minivan just as the heat finally started to drop. The ride to the river wasn’t long—maybe 20 minutes?—but you could see farmers heading home on scooters and water buffaloes just sort of standing around like they owned the place. We boarded this wooden boat at a small wharf; nothing fancy but it had charm. The breeze on Thu Bon River was a relief after all that walking. Someone handed me a Banh My—still warm, crusty bread with something spicy inside—and we watched fishing boats drift past as sunset turned everything gold. I tried taking photos but none really did it justice.

Back in Hoi An by early evening, legs tired but head full of odd details—a dancer’s smile, river light on old bricks, Hieu’s stories looping in my mind. If you’re thinking about a day trip to My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An or Da Nang, honestly? This is how I’d do it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An boat trip

• Pick up from hotel at 1:00 pm
• Depart to My Son Sanctuary
• Arrive at My Son at 3:00 pm
• Explore My Son Sanctuary with guide
• Watch Champa traditional performances
• Return to minivan at 5:15 pm
• Transfer to wharf for boat trip
• Boat trip on Thu Bon River at sunset
• Arrive at Hoi An at 6:00 pm
• Drop off at hotel, tour ends

Top questions

How long does the My Son Sanctuary tour last?

The tour lasts around 5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup in Hoi An is included in the tour price.

What food is provided during the tour?

You’ll get Vietnamese Banh My (baguette sandwich) as part of your experience.

Is there a guide at My Son Sanctuary?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads you through My Son Sanctuary.

Does this tour include a boat ride?

Yes, after visiting My Son you take a boat trip down Thu Bon River back toward Hoi An.

Are infants or people with limited mobility able to join?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in prams or sit on an adult’s lap.

What time does the tour return to Hoi An?

You’ll arrive back in Hoi An around 6:00 pm.

Is lunch included on this afternoon tour?

No full lunch for afternoon departures; only morning tours include set menu lunch. You do get Banh My though.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup in Hoi An by air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees at My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking local guide leading you through its history and Champa dance performance, chilled bottled water along the way, a fresh Vietnamese Banh My snack after exploring the ruins, plus a relaxing boat trip down Thu Bon River before drop-off back at your hotel by early evening.