Hidden in a green valley about an hour from Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site of red-brick Hindu temples built by the kings of Champa between the 4th and 13th centuries. This My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An tour takes you there with an English-speaking guide who brings the ruins to life, includes a traditional Cham dance performance, and returns by wooden boat along the river. Choose a morning tour with lunch or a quieter sunset tour.
| Tour type | Half-day guided tour with hotel pick-up |
|---|---|
| Options | Morning 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM (with lunch) or sunset 1:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Price | From $20 per adult |
| Included | English guide, pick-up and drop-off, boat trip and snack, lunch (morning) |
| Not included | My Son entrance ticket (150,000 VND), tips, drinks |
| Good for | History lovers, nature lovers, all ages |
Who Is the My Son Sanctuary Tour For?
- Nature lovers who want to escape the modern world and step back into the past.
- History lovers curious about the lost Champa civilisation.
- Anyone who wants a relaxed half day with a scenic boat ride back to Hoi An.
My Son Sanctuary Tour: Packages and Prices
| Package | Time | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning tour with boat ride and lunch | 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM | $24 / person | $18 / child |
| Sunset tour with boat ride | 1:00 – 6:00 PM | $20 / person | $15 / child |
Morning Tour Itinerary
- 7:30 AM: pick-up at your hotel lobby; arrive at My Son around 8:30 AM.
- 8:30 – 11:00 AM: guided walk among the brick towers, with the origin and meaning of each temple explained, and a traditional Cham dance with local costumes and songs.
- 11:00 AM: lunch with a local family.
- Return: a 50-minute wooden boat ride on the river, then back to your hotel around 1:30 PM.
Sunset Tour Itinerary
- 1:00 PM: pick-up at your hotel lobby; arrive at My Son around 2:15 PM.
- 2:15 – 5:00 PM: guided visit of the temples and the Cham dance performance, as the afternoon light softens.
- 5:00 PM: leave My Son for a 50-minute boat ride at sunset, then back to your hotel around 6:00 PM.
About My Son Sanctuary
Often compared to Angkor, My Son was the religious and political heart of the Champa Kingdom. Its temples were dedicated mainly to Shiva, and many still hold a linga, the symbol of the god’s creative energy. The main sanctuary of each group, the kalan, faces east, and the towers are decorated with bas-reliefs of Hindu deities and mythical scenes.
One of the site’s mysteries is the Cham brickwork: the bricks fit together so tightly that historians still debate exactly how they were bonded. Groups B, C and D contain some of the best-preserved structures, and your guide explains how the temples served as symbols of royal power as well as places of worship.
Tips for Visiting My Son Sanctuary
- Choose your light. The morning tour is cooler; the sunset tour gives softer light on the red brick and fewer people as the day ends.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and water. My Son Sanctuary is in a valley with little shade between the temple groups.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Paths between Groups B, C and D are uneven in places.
- Bring cash for the ticket. The My Son Sanctuary entrance fee (150,000 VND) is paid separately.
- Stay for the Cham dance. The short performance adds a lot of context to the ruins.
Why Visit My Son Sanctuary with a Guide?
Without context, My Son Sanctuary can look like a field of broken towers. With a good guide, it becomes the story of the Champa Kingdom: why the temples face east, what the linga symbolises, how the kings used these towers to show their power, and why so much was lost during the war. The site is listed by UNESCO for exactly this reason, and a guide turns the visit from a photo stop into a real history lesson.
The boat ride back is another reason to choose this tour: after the heat of My Son Sanctuary, 50 minutes on the river with fresh air and countryside views is the perfect way to end the day.
Want more? Combine My Son Sanctuary with the Marble Mountains on our full-day tour, or visit by bicycle on the My Son Temples bike ride.
How to Book the My Son Sanctuary Tour
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Related Tours and Guides
- Combine it with caves and pagodas: Marble Mountains and My Son in one day.
- By bicycle: the My Son Temples ride in our Hoi An bicycle tours.
- Visiting on your own? Read the My Son Sanctuary travel guide.
- Or book a private car from Hoi An to My Son.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the My Son tour from Hoi An?
The morning tour with boat ride and lunch is $24 per adult and $18 per child. The sunset tour with boat ride is $20 per adult and $15 per child. The My Son entrance ticket (150,000 VND) is extra.
How far is My Son from Hoi An?
About one hour by road. On this tour you return by car and a 50-minute wooden boat ride on the river.
Morning or sunset tour, which is better?
The morning tour includes lunch with a local family and is cooler early in the day. The sunset tour is shorter, costs less and ends with a boat ride in the evening light.
Is the entrance ticket included?
No. The My Son Sanctuary ticket costs 150,000 VND and is paid separately. Tips and drinks are also not included.
From Vincent – the Author
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