Updated: December 31, 2023
Guide to visiting the My Son sanctuary, with everything there is to see, prices, how to get there, curiosities and many tips.
The sanctuary Mỹ Sơn It is a unique archaeological site located 45 km from central Da Nang and 42 km from Hoi An Old Town.
My Son is a sanctuary that functioned as a religious, cultural and political center Built by the Champas between the 4th and 13th centuries.
It's about a unique historical center in Vietnam, which could be comparable to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, although smaller in size.
✅ My Son Sunrise Tour from Hoi An – to take beautiful photos without crowds
Is My Son in Vietnam worth visiting?
Yes, totally. Although My son looks like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Ayutthaya in Thailand and other similar venues in Southeast Asia, each one has its particularities.
The My Son sanctuary with its Hindu temples was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
In the words of UNESCO:
The monuments are unique and unmatched in Southeast Asia.
The My Son Sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural exchange…
The Kingdom of the Champas was an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of Southeast Asia, vividly illustrated by the ruins of My Son.
Of course, everything is subjective and if you have very little time to do a few excursions and on your trip you are going to visit Angkor Wat, it may not be worth it for you.
Below I tell you all the details so you can evaluate it.
A little history
My Son was built in a basin surrounded by mountains where the sacred Thu Bon river passes, an easily defensible strategic location.
This was one of the secrets so that the Champas could flourish in this place for 10 centuries.
👉 Fun fact: although the name seems to be in English because in many places it is written with our alphabet, it is actually Vietnamese, Mỹ Sơn.
The correct way to pronounce it is almost as if you were reading it in Spanish, but the final "n" is nasal, as if you were pronouncing it in French.
Kingdom of the Champas
The Champas (or Cham) is a town of merchants of Malay-Polynesian origin which spread throughout Southeast Asia starting in the 2nd century, covering Cambodia, Vietnam and some of Thailand.
Originally, there were many clans that, starting in the 2nd century, were unified to form the Kingdom of the Champas and had a great Hindu spiritual influence.
Therefore, the vast majority of My Son shrine temples are dedicated to Hindu deitiesI'll tell you more about this below.
Today, the Cham are the largest ethnic minority in Vietnam and Cambodia, are also still present in Thailand and Malaysia, but to a lesser extent.
Rediscovery
After the fall of the Cham Kingdom, My Son fell into disuse and was forgotten until its rediscovery during the French colonial era of Vietnam in 1898.
Since then, work has been done to recover and preserve this historic site which has been so affected by the wet weather, the floods and the vegetation that had already taken over My Son.
Vietnam War
However, the worst for My Son was yet to come.
During the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese hid in My Son in the hope that the Americans would not attack them while they were in a primarily religious historical site.
In August 1969, American troops launched a carpet bombing, that is, they devastated the area.
This is something that even today continues to outrage the Vietnamese, at least the guide I went with could not hide his displeasure.
Actual state
Some temples suffered severe damage, although most remain standing and there is concern about the stability of the buildings.
When visiting the My Son sanctuary you will be able to see some areas with huge holes in the ground where bombs fell.
Although the buildings were badly damaged, you can appreciate the splendor it had at the time.
Also, something curious happens in My Son, if you look at the whole thing you see a lot of half-destroyed buildings. But when you get closer You will find a spectacular wealth of details.
Therefore, these are the best temples in Vietnam.
What to see at the My Son Sanctuary?
The visit to the site in general is very pleasant, because the old temples contrast powerfully with the lush vegetation of the area with incredible greenery.
Furthermore, the sanctuary, as it is located in the valley, It has the mountains in the background, making it even more beautiful.
Museum
The first thing you will find when entering the My Son sanctuary is the museum that will serve as a base to learn more about the Chams.
I also recommend you visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang City which has a very extensive collection of terracotta sculptures that were brought from My Son.
⭐ You can read more about What to do in Da Nang I'll tell you more about the Cham museum.
Cham dance and music
Once you get to the area where the buildings are there is a Cham popular art performance center.
The shows are traditional music and dance, very beautiful to see.
Also in the Group G there are shows, but, these depend a little on the weather and can be canceled.
The temples
When My Son was rediscovered 71 buildings were found spread throughout the area in different groups.
It is believed that all the buildings that are standing functioned as temples.
One of the most notable characteristics of My son's buildings is the way of building of the Champas who used baked brick, sandstone and stone pillars.
The oldest temples are in tower shape with finely carved decorative low reliefs and are dedicated to the Hindu gods Krishna and Vishnu, but above all to the god Shiva.
Later the Champas had a Buddhist influence that was also reflected here in My Son.
The entire My Son complex is a place with a notable architectural value, with great symbolism that reflects the evolution and multiculturalism of the Champas.
My Son Zones
When you enter you will find a map like this one below where it shows the areas that are divided into groups.
In case you have little time I recommend see zones A, B, C and D, which is where the best preserved buildings are.
How to tour My Son?
The area of the temples are a little far from the entrance, you can get there walking or take electric buses that bring you closer.
If you go by bus you save almost 2 km of walking.
Right when you enter, the first thing you find is the museum on the right and after the museum you walk a little, cross the bridge and you will see the buses immediately.
Then in the sanctuary you will find well marked trails that take you on a tour of the different areas.
📢 Caution: after the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, the mines were removed from the area, but mines may remain unexplored. That's why here you can't get off the route, you better suppress your exploring spirit. 🤠
Practical Info
- Opening Hours: every day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Entry Fee:: 150,000 VND (5.95 euros)
- Electric bus price within: included in the ticket price
- Cham music and dance show schedule: 9:15, 10:45, 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.
- Show schedule in group G: 10:00 and 14:00
When to go and how much time to dedicate?
If you are going to go on your own, go as early as possible to avoid the tour groupsAs the areas are small, there are times when there are a lot of people.
Furthermore, with the vegetation and humidity it's really hot, which increases throughout the day.
To visit the My Son sanctuary, calculate that you will need at least half a day, although if you want to see everything, including the shows and you take it easy you can be there all day. 😅
What to bring and where to eat at My Son?
In the My Son sanctuary area, although you do part of the route with the electric bus that brings you closer, you will have to walk quite a bit, so wear comfortable shoes.
Other things that will come in handy are a hat or cap and sunglasses.
Although when I went it was the rainy season I didn't see too many mosquitoes, but with the abundant vegetation of the place and the river nearby I recommend you Carry the repellent in your backpack just in case.
I always use the Relec Extra Forte to travel to Southeast Asia which is going great, not even a mosquito comes close. 😄
If you travel during the rainy season, it will also be good for you. take a raincoat like this one in the link.
Finally, don't forget to bring lots of water and some snack.
Then, outside the premises, there is a restaurant where you can eat and drink, but If you can avoid it better.
The price is a little more expensive than in other places, the worst thing is that the photos on the menu do not correspond to what they serve, the portions are smaller than what they show. Besides, the food is pretty bad. 😝
If you can, it is best to take some food to snack on and endure, to go eat somewhere else.
How to get to My Son from Da Nang or Hoi An?
To go to My Son from Da Nang or Hoi An the cheapest option is to drive, it is quite close and you will not have difficulties finding it. Although this depends on your driving skills in the Vietnamese chaos. 🙈
If not, another option is to go with a taxi with which you will have to negotiate the rate.
The round trip price is usually approximately 1,000,000 VND (39.65 euros) per car, it is similar whether you depart from Da Nang or Hoi An.
Finally, you have the option to do it with an excursion like this from the link that leaves from Hoi An, as I did.
As My Son is one of the most popular tours in central Vietnam, you can also do the excursion from Da Nang, you can reserve at that link.
Going with a tour has the advantage that the guide will explain a lot of its interesting history and you don't have to worry about anything because it includes transportation and entrance.
There is also a new option, which I couldn't find when I went.
It's about this early morning excursion (👈 book here) when they open, it is with a small group, this way you avoid meeting too many people and you can take some spectacular photos at dawn.
In the video below at minute 1:05 you can see the visit to the My Son sanctuary.
Then, if you continue watching the videos in the playlist you will also see some of Da Nang and Hue filmed with a drone.
More about Vietnam and Southeast Asia
- Visit to the Marble Mountains in Vietnam
- 3 best Yoga Retreats in Vietnam + 1 extra
- What to do in Da Nang: 14 must-visit spots
- How to get around Vietnam: fast, comfortable and cheap
- 30 Curiosities of Vietnam
- What to see in Hoi An and the surrounding area: 14 plans
Hello, my name is Andrea, I am the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I am a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler, I am passionate about good food, and I am always looking for new adventures.
Another post that makes you long in the tooth. It is certainly reminiscent of Ayutthaya, but with the addition of the more mountainous and lush natural scenery of the surroundings. The place is very cool! And the small-group morning excursion doesn't look like a bad option.
Yes, it is quite reminiscent of Ayutthaya although My Son is small, but as you say, nature gives it a lot of charm and in the end it is different.
The start time of the morning excursion is super early but if I had had the opportunity I would have done it without hesitation, it must be nice to see it at dawn.
Here was one of the few places that I noticed that there were quite a few people, besides in Hoi An, which gets packed at night.