Hoi An: Cam Thanh Cooking Class & My Son Sanctuary Day Tour

The appeal here is the unusual mix: you start with market shopping and a hands-on cooking class in the countryside, then spend the afternoon among the Cham ruins at My Son. You finish with a boat ride back toward Hoi An, so the day shifts from food and village life to ancient history and river views.

I like that the cooking lesson begins with choosing ingredients at the market, rather than simply arriving at a kitchen with everything laid out. I also like that My Son gets about two hours, including time for an English-speaking guide and a traditional Cham performance.

The main consideration is the long schedule. The day starts early, includes several transfers, and the My Son entrance fee is not part of the $63 price. Expect a full outing, not a relaxed cooking class with a short excursion attached.

At a glance

• Market shopping comes first: Spend about 30 minutes with the chef seeing local sellers and selecting ingredients for the lesson.
• Cam Thanh adds a rural setting: The program includes the coconut-jungle entrance fee and basket-boat rowing, along with the cooking class.
• Lunch is what you make: Prepare local dishes with the chef, then sit down to eat. Vietnamese cuisine and a local banh mi are included.
• My Son combines ruins and performance: Allow about two hours to walk through the site, hear about Champa history and watch traditional Cham dance with instrumental accompaniment.
• The return trip is by river: The boat ride on the Thu Bon offers a different view of the area and the chance to see activity along the river.
• Budget for the My Son ticket: Admission is 150,000 VND per person and is not included in the tour price.

A full day, with food and history in equal measure

At $63 per person, this tour brings together several activities that would take planning to combine on your own: transport from Hoi An or Da Nang, a market visit, cooking, the Cam Thanh stop, a guided visit to My Son and a river return toward Hoi An. The price is easier to judge when you look at the day as a whole, rather than as a cooking class alone.

There is one extra cost to keep in mind. My Son admission is 150,000 VND per person, payable separately, so add that to the tour price when comparing options. Personal spending is also not included.

The program is run by Hiep Hoi An Travel. The guide is English-speaking, but no individual guide or chef is named in the details, so you should not expect a particular person. The day is described as a small-group experience with private car and driver transfers. That means your transport may be arranged privately, but you should not assume the activities themselves are private.

From the market to Cam Thanh

Pickup is listed for 7:30 a.m. in Hoi An or Da Nang, followed by a meeting with the guide at about 8:30. The first stop is a local market, where you spend roughly half an hour with the chef. You’ll see the sellers at work and choose ingredients for the cooking lesson.

That short stop gives the class a useful sense of place. Instead of treating Vietnamese food as a list of dishes, you get a look at the ingredients before they reach the kitchen. It is also an active start to the day: you can watch, ask questions and see what the chef plans to use.

From there, you travel to Cam Thanh by car or boat. The route is described as a chance to see the countryside, including water and coconut trees growing side by side. The transfer method may vary, so if you have your heart set on a particular stretch by boat, check with the operator before booking.

Cam Thanh is known here as the setting for basket-boat rowing and the cooking class. The coconut-jungle entrance fee and basket-boat activity are included, making this more than a kitchen visit. You’ll want comfortable clothes and shoes, since the day involves outdoor time as well as walking later at My Son.

Cooking, eating and taking a breather

At around 11 a.m., the group arrives at the restaurant, has a welcome drink and takes a rest before the lesson. The chef then guides you through preparing local food. The exact dishes are not specified, so think of the class as an introduction to Vietnamese cooking rather than a promise of a particular menu.

The format is a good fit if you like learning by doing. You start with market ingredients, then work with them under the chef’s guidance, and finally eat what you have prepared. One useful detail: the meal is described as filling, so you should not plan on treating lunch as a token tasting.

Vietnamese cuisine and a local banh mi are included. Vegetarian options are available, but you need to notify the operator in advance. If you have other dietary needs, the supplied details do not say what can be accommodated, so ask before you book rather than assuming.

There is some breathing room built into the restaurant stop, which matters on a long day. Still, the meal and rest are only one part of a schedule that continues into the afternoon. If you prefer to spend a leisurely half-day cooking, this tour moves on soon after lunch.

My Son: Cham history, ruins and dance

Around 1 p.m., the group leaves Hoi An for My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The arrival time is given as about 2:30 p.m., leaving roughly two hours to explore. That is enough to walk through the site with a guide and see the performance, though it is not an unhurried, all-afternoon visit.

My Son is the historical heart of the tour. The guide explains the history of the Champa Kingdom while you walk among the sanctuary’s remains. This context helps make the visit more than a photo stop, especially if you have not studied Champa history before.

The traditional Cham performance adds a cultural element beyond the ruins. It includes dance accompanied by traditional instruments, giving you a chance to see a living performance connected with the region’s heritage. The details do not specify how long the performance lasts, so treat it as one part of the visit rather than the whole program.

Wear shoes suitable for walking outdoors. The site visit comes after a market stop, cooking lesson and transfer, and the midday sun can make a hat and sunscreen useful. Bring water and be prepared for changing weather, including a raincoat or umbrella if the forecast calls for it.

The biggest practical caveat is the separate 150,000 VND entrance fee. It is easy to overlook when the tour itself is priced at $63, but it changes the total cost. Carry cash, as the tour advises, and keep the ticket money separate from your spending cash.

Returning to Hoi An on the Thu Bon

At about 4:30 p.m., you leave My Son by minivan and transfer to a wharf for the boat trip back to Hoi An. The ride follows the Thu Bon River, with a cool breeze and views of the river at sunset, depending on the day’s timing and conditions.

This return route is a thoughtful change of pace after the walk at My Son. From the boat, you can watch local activity along the river and see Hoi An from the water. The tour describes the Thu Bon as one of the largest rivers in Central Vietnam, and the ride gives you a different perspective from the road transfers earlier in the day.

The boat reaches Hoi An at about 6 p.m., with drop-off at your hotel. For Da Nang, the schedule gives an estimated finish around 7 p.m. That makes this a long day, especially if you are staying farther from the central pickup area. Leave the evening open rather than booking a tight dinner reservation.

What the $63 price covers, and what it does not

The included services are substantial: round-trip hotel transfers from Hoi An or Da Nang, the Cam Thanh coconut-jungle entrance fee, basket-boat rowing, the cooking course, lunch with Vietnamese cuisine, a local banh mi, an English-speaking guide and mineral water. The My Son ticket is the notable omission.

The standard transfer is described as included, but some farther-flung locations carry extra charges. Listed examples include Hoiana Resort, Bliss Resort, Tui Blue Resort and the Intercontinental in Son Tra, or similar areas. The stated one-way supplements vary by vehicle: 300,000 VND for a four-seat car, 350,000 VND for a seven-seat van and 450,000 VND for a 16-seat van. Confirm your pickup address and any charge before booking.

For the price, the strongest value comes from combining the cooking experience with My Son and the river return. If you only want to learn a few recipes, you may prefer a shorter class. If you want food, countryside, history and transport handled in one day, the package is more compelling.

Who will enjoy this day most

I’d recommend this for you if you want variety and are happy to spend most of the day moving between stops. The market visit and cooking class suit anyone curious about local food, while My Son gives the outing a historical anchor. The river ride makes the return feel different from simply retracing the road route.

It also works well if you are staying in Hoi An or Da Nang and want transport included. The schedule covers both, though the pickup timing and extra-charge areas are worth checking carefully. Because the experience includes outdoor activities, walking and a long day, comfortable shoes and sun protection are practical basics.

This may be less suitable if you want a slow, in-depth visit to My Son or a cooking class with a long, relaxed afternoon. The tour gives you a taste of each element rather than letting you linger at one. It is also listed as unsuitable for people over 95 years old.

Small preparations that make the day easier

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera and cash. A hat and sunscreen are recommended, and a raincoat or umbrella can help if the weather changes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so travel light.

If you need vegetarian food, notify the operator in advance. The tour language is English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve without paying immediately.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, well-rounded day that links a market, a practical cooking class, Cam Thanh, My Son and a river ride. Its best feature is the contrast between making and eating local food in the morning and exploring Cham heritage in the afternoon. The cooking lesson is the most highly praised part of the experience, and the meal is generous enough to feel like a real lunch.

Skip it if you want to devote most of your day to one place, or if you dislike long schedules and several transfers. Before booking, confirm your pickup location, ask about any extra transport fee, and add the My Son admission charge to your budget. With those costs clear, the $63 price offers good value for a day that covers more than one side of Central Vietnam.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $63 per person. My Son Sanctuary admission costs an additional 150,000 VND per person.

What time does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is listed at 7:30 a.m. in Hoi An or Da Nang. The expected return is around 6 p.m. in Hoi An and around 7 p.m. in Da Nang.

Is transport included?

Two-way hotel transfers from Hoi An or Da Nang are included. Some locations, including certain resorts and areas listed by the operator, have an additional one-way vehicle charge.

Is the My Son entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is 150,000 VND per person and is paid separately.

What food is included?

The tour includes lunch with Vietnamese cuisine and a local banh mi. You prepare local food during the cooking class and then eat what you have made.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available, but you should notify the operator in advance.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is conducted in English, with an English-speaking guide.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera and cash. A hat, sunscreen and rain protection are also recommended. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later.