Top 10 Reasons Why My Son Sanctuary Is Worth Visiting

My Son Has Most Cham Temples and Towers in Vietnam

My Son Sanctuary was the holy land of Champa kingdom from the 4th to 13rd centuries. Here, Cham emperors constructed numerous temples and towers, to worship Shiva God (the Destroyer in Hinduism). When French people discovered it, after it’s abandoned, more than 70 buildings were recorded. This collection of standing Cham towers and temples is the largest in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Quang Nam province has the most ones in the country as well. The second largest collection is in Binh Binh province, formerly Vijaya capital of Champa, and it has only 14 towers.

Thanks to recent restoration projects, almost all major temple complexes at My Son Sanctuary were restored. Sure, they are not ‘ruins’ anymore, and good to have a look and photograph at the moment. Many bloggers don’t know this fact yet or they visited the site before restoration works are done. For that reason, there is no surprise that they mentioned that ‘My Son is overrated’. Now, it’s wrong!

For further information & details, we recommend reading Temples in My Son Sanctuary

My Son is Foremost Cultural Heritage of Champa Kingdom

My Son Sanctuary was used by Cham kings during nearly 900 years to worship Shiva God (from 4th to 13rd centuries). He is the most powerful deity in Champa kingdom. In My Son, the kings constructed the finest temples of the state for him, and visited to organize the most solemn ceremonies of the state, to honour him.

The Champa kingdom existed from the 2nd to 19th centuries, in the region now known as the central coast of Vietnam. Until the early 14th century, the area where My Son Sanctuary is located, was the capital of the whole kingdom.

So, visitors who love history or want to learn about a new civilization, My Son Sanctuary is a must see.

See also: Bang An Cham Tower

My Son Sanctuary is a Nature Reserve

Temples of My Son Sanctuary lie within a valley, with a river running through, and surrounded by hills and mountains. This valley is fully covered by natural forests, home to a variety of fauna and floral species. It’s recognized to be a national nature reserve, with a total area up to 1,000 hectares.

To go to My Son’s temples, visitors will walk along beautiful paths along knee-deep streams, cross small clear-water rivers, through dense forests, and with a view to nearby hills/mountains. During the summertime, it’s possible to see lots of lotus, water lilies, and wild flowers here, enhancing visitor’s experience so far. Sure, it’s great to have a look and take photos.  

So, My Son Sanctuary is totally worth visiting for those who love nature, or want to escape from hustle and bustle. If visit it in the early morning or late afternoon, visitors may have the chance to see lots of singing birds and watch animals, such as monkeys.

See also: Bach Ma National Park

My Son is a Unesco World Heritage Site

In 1999, My Son Sanctuary was declared by Unesco to be a world heritage site because of its importance to our humanity. This place becomes the 4th inscription in Vietnam, and the first and only Cham’s one until today. For the United Nations organization, it’s the ‘exceptional example of cultural exchange’ between local and Indian cultures, and a vivid illustration of Champa kingdom.

My Son Sanctuary is Associated With Vietnam War

The next reason why My Son Sanctuary is worth visiting, is its association with the Vietnam War that lasted 21 years (1954-1975). This war is one of major events in the Cold War and known by many people in the world.

In the 1960s and 1970s, because they believed that Vietcong (communists) hid in the surrounding mountains of My Son Sanctuary, USA/South Vietnam Republic air forces dropped bombs into this palace. Many temples and towers were collapsed or highly damaged, including Temple A1 which is thought to be the finest architectural masterpiece of Cham people. After attacks, forests were burnt, and animals died. The landmine was just completely cleared in the last decades. According to a report, 60 tons of bombs and mines were found and disactived.

Nowadays, when the Vietnam war has ended, remains from this conflict are still seen in My Son Sanctuary. There are bomb holes/craters, next to ruins, and bombs discovered in the post-war period. All of them are powerful reminders about one of the most devastating conflicts in the world in the 20th century.

See also: My Lai Massacre Memorial Site

Many Photo Opportunities at My Son Sanctuary

Temples in My Son Sanctuary are good for taking pictures. On Instagram, there are about 14,700 posts attacking the hashtag #mysonsanctuary, making it one of the most photographed attractions in the area.

My Son Sanctuary is known for brown/black Indian-style temples with backgrounds such as blue mountains and green forests. No matter taking the scenery alone or with you, the pictures may be all fantastic.

If going to My Son Sanctuary in the early morning, visitors will see beautiful beams of light streaming into the forest as well as animals. Additionally, because of no people (or just a few people), early birds can enjoy taking photos anywhere and without queuing.

After any performances, artists who wear beautiful traditional Cham costumes, will stay back and have some photos with visitors. This is a good chance too!

See also: Most Instagrammable Places in Hoi An Vietnam

7.      Traditional Art Performance at My Son Sanctuary

In addition to temples, My Son Sanctuary is where visitors can watch traditional art performances of Cham people. Here, male and female artists will show the audience flexible dances and songs or musical instruments that are seen in important ceremonies. They all wear their own traditional costumes, and speak their own language, giving an authentic experience. Nowhere else in the area, except My Son, visitors have this chance to learn about cultural intangible heritages of those who constructed the sanctuary. Not only one time, the ‘My Son’ show occurs several times during the day. Every show lasts 15 mins. See more information & details

So, the series of interesting live performances from Cham artists make My Son Sanctuary worth visiting. If go to Vietnam for the first time, it’s a great opportunity to know better about the culture of the owners of the disappeared Champa kingdom.

See also: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House

Building Techniques at My Son Are Still A Secret

My Son Sanctuary is home to more than 70 Cham temples and towers. The first one was constructed in the 4th century, and the last one was in the early 13rd century. The main material is ‘Cham brick’ which is made of red clay.

Compared to popularly-used bricks today, ‘Cham brick’ is lighter, but much more durable. To bond bricks together, Cham people used a set of techniques, and an unknown adhesive. According to local Vietnamese folklore, they might use a mix of brick powder, fresh water, and resin tree’s milk, and then spread it on the surface of bricks. From physical and chemical research, scientists indicate that this formula might be true. Now, it has been used to restore temples at My Son as the best possible way. And, nobody confirms that it’s fully understood. 

Secrets of My Son Sanctuary, including building techniques, make many travelers really curious to know. A knowledgeable local guide is needed if you want to know better about them.

Easy & Cheap to Visit My Son Sanctuary

It’s easy to make a trip to My Son Sanctuary from nearby cities, Da Nang and Hoi An. To get there, visitors need a one-hour drive by car/bus/van, and spend one more hour to go back. Average visiting time at My Son Sanctuary is 2 hours, so the duration of the whole trip is about 4 hours. For that reason, this place is perfect for half-day trips.

On the other hand, visitors will not pay a lot to visit My Son Sanctuary. If take a private trip to get there, the cost for a roundtrip from nearby cities Da Nang/Hoi An, is from 800,000 VND. After arriving, each adult needs to pay 150,000 VND, and it’s only 30,000 VND for each child under 15 years old. This ticket price includes entry to temples, My Son Museum, My Son Sanctuary Show, and two-ways transfer by buggy between main entrance and the temples.

If book a guided tour, the price is also not expensive. To save, visitors can join a group going in the morning or afternoon. There are more daily group tours in Hoi An than Da Nang (up to date). Private tours are highly recommended to those who like getting into insights of My Son Sanctuary as well as avoiding crowds or the heat.

Read also: Free & Cheap Things to Do in Hoi An, Free & Cheap Things to Do in Da Nang

10.  My Son is known as ‘the Angkor Wat of Vietnam’

Both My Son Sanctuary (Vietnam) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia) are Hindu temples in history and later become Unesco world heritage sites. While My Son is the most important religious site of the Cham people (or Champa kingdom), Angkor Wat is very important to the Khmer people, owner of the Khmer Empire. See more information & details