ON THE RIVER · SUNSET RIVER CRUISES IN VIETNAM
Good sunset river cruises in Vietnam sell their best seats weeks ahead. Below: the 5 to book early, what each fare includes and how they differ once you are aboard.
You’ll visit My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An with an English-speaking guide such as Thao, Tin, Van, or Lam, then finish with a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. Choose a BBQ meal or banh mi. Expect Hindu temples, a traditional Cham performance, Vietnamese coffee with the BBQ option, and hotel pickup within Hoi An.
“A perfect day out. Charlie the guide was excellent 👍”
Walk from your Hue hotel to the boat station, then cruise the Perfume River by private dragon boat. Your English-speaking guide explains local life, pagodas, and Hue’s history before a stop at Thien Mu Pagoda on Ha Khe Hill. Expect a calm 2.5-hour outing, though actual time can vary.
“Nhiên was wonderful, she showed up on time at our hotel, she was very gracious and absolutely professional. She gave detailed explanation in very good English during our boat cruise on the Perfume River. We highly recommend her as a guide and the Cruse as well.”
Start at 1:30 pm with hotel pickup in Hoi An or Da Nang. Guide Long leads you to Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave, Non Nuoc stone carving village, My Khe Beach, Linh Ung Pagoda, and Han Market. Finish with local food and a one-hour Han River boat ride past nine bridges. Entrance fees, drinks, fruit, and transfers are included.
“We had a great time with Pacific Boat team to visit all most beautiful destinations of the city.Long is a superb guide who is helpful and smart.The place was well worth to visit and very comfortable with group only 8 persons.Highly recommend”
Travel from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide, see Champa brick towers and a Cham dance, then return by minibus and Thu Bon River boat. The five-hour trip costs $20, though the 150,000 VND entrance fee and a 200,000 VND public-holiday surcharge are extra.
“Our guide was excellent, fun and full of interesting information! Ruins and show was wonderful and the boat ride at sunset was beautiful! And the trip was great value for the money!”
Travel from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide, walk about 2 kilometers among Champa ruins, watch traditional performances, then return by boat along the Thu Bon River. A Vietnamese banh mi is served onboard. Guide Thy earned special praise for clear, detailed explanations.
Pick a waterway, a city or a kind of evening.
