My Son Sanctuary — Attraction in Quảng Nam Province

My Son Sanctuary – A Treasure Trove of History, With a Few Quirks Along the Way

Nestled just an hour's drive from Da Nang or Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary is a place where history comes alive—though not without a few raised eyebrows.

First impressions? The parking area is spacious and well-organised, sparing you the chaos often found at tourist hotspots. Once inside, electric carts and bicycles are available to ferry visitors around, ensuring that energy is reserved for appreciating the remarkable Cham architecture. If you prefer a leisurely stroll, do bring an umbrella—shade is somewhat of a rare commodity.

The air is crisp, and the lush surroundings make it feel as if time has stood still. The ancient structures, remarkably well-preserved, exude an undeniable charm that captivates history enthusiasts. But here’s the catch—approaching the informational plaques requires not only curiosity but also excellent eyesight, as faded text makes deciphering details an unexpected challenge.

The facilities? Mixed reviews. The toilets boast an aesthetically pleasing design but, unfortunately, lack the level of cleanliness one would expect, particularly considering the high number of international tourists who frequent the site.

And if you find yourself lost in the magic of a cultural performance past 5 PM, brace yourself—the museum staff are sticklers for the rules, shutting the doors right on time regardless of lingering visitors still meandering their way out.

Despite these quirks, My Son remains a worthy destination—a place where the echoes of an ancient civilisation can still be felt amidst the forested landscape. If history fascinates you, this is one journey you...

My Son (pronounced as Me Saw) is a cluster of Shiva Temple ruins in Vietnam near Da Nang. Around 40km from the city of Da Nang, lies a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site that comprises Hindu Temples and Shiva lingas of 10-11 centuries. The kingdom of Champa that flourished between 7 and 12 centuries had constructed the temples and the majority was dedicated to Lord Shiva. Unfortunately almost all temples were destroyed in the Vietnam War by US bombings. Later, the Govt of India and Vietnam together got into the restoration and excavation of this site. Several statues, inscriptions, pillars, stones and religious figures were discovered from the site. Few of them have been displayed in the museums inside the Sanctuary. The temples are categorized and marked as per groups for ease of reference. Most of these structures have been remodeled and others are still under construction. The Sanctuary sits in a large area surrounded by thick green vegetation. To see the marvels of the 10th century feels fascinating. So if you are a history enthusiast or into photography, this place is for you. In case you forgot to get an umbrella/raincoat on a rainy day, you can buy from the shacks inside the Sanctuary before the first cluster of temples. You will walk a lot inside My Son, so wear sports/walking shoes and not heels or slippers.

As an Indian it gives me a sense of pride to visit a place like this on foreign soil where Shaivism was once practiced with full devotion. Thankful to the agencies and individuals who helped in the restoration of the site and brought to the world a culturally...

The sanctuary is situated 25km from Hoi An, it took us 1 hour to drive. Options to reach My Son - Through tours - 8am to 3pm, 600,000 VND per person including transfers, lunch, guide, sanctuary visit, carpentry village tour (tickets to sanctuary excluded) Private car with guide (more expensive) Rent a bike (we chose this) - We rented out a non gear two wheeler, which was in excellent condition for 270,000 VND and drove along the scenic roads of the town, many shops, eateries, rice fields were along the roads. It took us an hour to reach My Son.

The tickets to enter sanctuary were 300,000 VND per person includes entry, transport shuttle, cultural show with drama and dance performance.(10 am, 10.45 am, 2 pm) 5000 VND for parking. 100,000 VND for Guide (optional)

It's a very beautiful place with a historic importance, great work done by Government of India and Government of Vietnam in preserving the remains of Champa Civilization. The surroundings are clean and well built. The path is long and can be tiresome on a hot sunny day, but the relics are so beautiful that you might forget the tiredness.

Things to carry - Hats , sunscreen, bottle of water, sunglasses and something to eat. Though there are shops outside and inside...