#Da Nang Tourist Information, Hoi An Tourist Information

My Son Sanctuary Self Guided Tour: 3+ Itineraries without Guide

My Son Sanctuary definitely is a must see attraction in Da Nang Hoi An area. It’s a world heritage site that was incribed by Unesco in 1999. This holy land has many ancient Hindu temples and ruins, dating from the 4th century, in the middle of tropical forests. So, sightseeing and learning about them will be very interesting. Now, HoiAn Day Trip Company provides all necessary information for your own self-guided tour in My Son Sanctuary.

• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD

• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team

• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others

Must Knows about My Son Sanctuary (Vietnam)

– Location/address: My Son village, Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province, Vietnam

– Name’s meaning: My Son means ‘beautiful mountain’, not ‘my son’

– How to pronounce: /mee son/

– Other name(s): My Son Ruins, My Son Holy Land, My Son Site, My Son Ancient Ruins, My Son Temples, My Son Cham Towers

– Area: 142 hectares

– Age: 4th to 13rd centuries

– Number of buildings: 71

– Opening hour(s): 6 AM to 5 PM everyday (latest 5:30 PM)

– Ticket price: 150,000 VND for foreign adults and children older than 15. It’s free for small ages, but parents still have to pay 30,000 VND for the transfer service.

– Reason(s) to visit: ancient Hindu temples amid dense jungles, a Unesco world heritage site, performances of Cham people

– Best time(s) to visit: early morning, late afternoon, sunny days

– Time to spend: 1,5-3 hours

– Recognition(s): national heritage, special national heritage, Unesco world heritage site (1999)

– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/my-son-sanctuary-travel-guide

– Food & drink: yes availables

– Shopping: yes available

– Tour guide: contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)

– Fact: My Son Sanctuary is one of the most visited attractions in the region

My Son Sanctuary on Map

Can I Visit My Son Sanctuary Without a Tour?

Visitors can visit My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam without a tour or tour guide. From the city, it’s easy to have a roundtrip transfer by car/bus or ride the motorbike to the site. Tickets are not necessary to reserve in advance.

Best Ways to Get to My Son Sanctuary

Main articles: How to Get to My Son from Da Nang, How to Get to My Son from Hoi An

From Da Nang or Hoi An, visitors can book a taxi/car/van/bus, or ride the motorbike to My Son Sanctuary. Public transport is not available yet.

The safest way to travel is going by car/bus. If hire a car, it takes visitors around 1 hour each way. The price will be higher if want to have a minivan or bus. You may pay a surcharge if request picking up before 7 am (for sunrise/early morning tour).

The cheapest way, for solo or couple travelers, is self-riding the motorbike. One day rental ranges from 100,000 to 250,000 VND, without gasoline. Riders must have a valid driver license and IDP (international driving permit), to illegally join traffic.

– From Hoi An, the distance to My Son Sanctuary is around 40 km. Visitors can choose one from two popular motorbike routes to go: DT 609 or DT 610. The first route runs to the north of the Thu Bon River, through Vinh Dien town and Ai Nghia town, and goes to Giao Thuy Bridge. The second route runs to the south of the Thu Bon River, through Nam Phuoc town, and is lined with trees on both sides (until My Son). See full information & details

– From Da Nang, the distance is around 45 km. The best route is DT 605. From everywhere in the city, riders need to go to the crossroads of DT 605 and Truong Chinh Rd first. After that, follow DT 605 until its end (Huynh Thuc Khanh primary school, Dien Hong commune, Dien Ban town), turn right until see the crossroad of Hung Vuong St and Do Dang Tuyen St in the heart of Ai Nghia town. After that, turn left, go straight away and over Giao Thuy Bride, follow DT 610 until seeing the sign of ‘My Son Sanctuary world heritage site’ on the left hand side. See more information & details

My Son Sanctuary Ticket Price

My Son Sanctuary ticket price is 150,000 VND each foreign adults & children above 15 years old. It’s 30,000 VND if the children smaller than 15.

Ticket counter at My Son Sanctuary will open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm everyday. During Vietnam’s national holidays, these opening hours are same.

Temples in My Son Sanctuary & Map

My Son Sanctuary has over 70 towers and temples, dated back from 4th to 13rd centuries, and used to worship Hindu deities, especially Shiva God. After many ups and downs, there are only around 20 of which still standing today. Almost all of them here are constructed by bricks that are made by a red clay. Building techniques at My Son are not fully discovered yet by science. Currently, conservationists use a mixture of brick powder, fresh water, and resin tree milk as an adhesive for connecting bricks. Sandstone is also used to carve sculptures for decoration or worshipping purposes, and even to build a temple. About the style, My Son’s temples have an architecture influenced by Indian. See full information & details

Here is the list of temples at My Son Sanctuary:

– Group of Temple B, Temple C, and Temple D: the most central group with over 30 buildings including the tallest standing towers, restored by French, Polish, and Vietnamese masters from the 1900s to 1980s.

– Temple A: a temple of 13 buildings with main tower rising up to 24 meters, dating from 9th/10th century, collapsed after bombing in the Vietnam War, restored from 2020 to 2022 by Indian masters

– Temple G: a temple of 5 buildings dating from 13rd/14th century, on an artificial hill/mound, collapsed after bombing in the Vietnam War, restored from 2003 to 2013 by Italian masters

– Temple E: a temple of 9 buildings dating on 12nd/13rd century, collapsed after bombing in the Vietnam War, not restored yet (except E7 tower)

– Temple F: a temple of 2 buildings dating on 12nd/13rd century, collapsed after bombing in the Vietnam War, not restored yet

– Temple H: a temple of 4 buildings, sitting on the top of a hill, restored from 2016 to 2019 by Indian masters

– Temple K: a gate-tower dating back from 11st/12nd century, with an ‘imperial road’ leading to central temples (discovered in 2024)

– Temple L, Temple M, and Temple N: small, partly ruined, nothing much to see

To go from the Entrance to Temples at My Son Sanctuary, visitors need to use a buggy transfer for 2 kilometers. After that, it’s needed to walk. The transfer is free of charge for both ways.

Itinerary to Visit Temples in My Son Sanctuary

After the buggy transfer finishes, visitors have three routes to go to temples.

– Route 1: Buggy Station – Temple K – Cham Embroidery Demonstration – Temple E, Temple F – Temple G – Temple A – Temple B, Temple C, Temple D – Performance Theatre – Temple H – Buggy Station

This route has all visitable temples at My Son Sanctuary and the theatre where the show occurs. Its length is 2 kilometers.

– Route 2: Buggy Station – Temple H – Performance Theatre – Temple B, Temple C, Temple D – Temple G – Temple E, Temple F – Cham Embroidery Demonstration – Temple K – Buggy Station

This route has all visitable temples at My Son Sanctuary and the theatre where the show occurs. Its length is 2 kilometers.

– Route 3: Buggy Station – Performance Theatre – Temple B, Temple C, Temple D – Temple A – Temple G – Buggy Station

This route has all visitable and most worthy temples at My Son Sanctuary and the theatre where the show occurs. Its length is 2 kilometers.

Daily Show in My Son Sanctuary

There are two shows at My Son Sanctuary everyday, one at the Performing Theatre (near Temple B-C-D) and one at Temple G. The first show is more attractive, including some performances from male and female Cham artists. Visitors can expect to see young girls carrying a pot of water and dancing on the way to God’s temple, an artisan blowing Cham’s traditional long flute, or Apsara dance. Showtimes are 10 am, 10:45 am, 2 pm, and 3:30 pm. The duration is 15 mins. The show at the Temple G is at 10:15 am, including one performance in which young Cham girls dance and Cham guys playing drums. They all wear traditional costumes of their own ethnicity. See more information & details

Best Itinerary to My Son from Da Nang/Hoi An & Timings

The best itinerary to visit My Son Sanctuary should have the most worthy temples, and the main daily ‘My Son’ show.

Here are our recommended itineraries for self-guided visitors:

– In the morning:

+ from Hoi An: leaving the hotel at 8 am, arriving My Son at 9 am, following one of three sightseeing routes (see details above), watch the main show at 10:45 am (until 11 am), walking back to parking lot & returning to Hoi An to have lunch

+ from Da Nang: leaving the hotel at 8 am, arriving My Son at 9:15 am, following one of three sightseeing routes (see details above), watch the main show at 10:45 am (until 11 am), walking back to parking lot & returning to Hoi An to have lunch

– in the afternoon:

+ from Hoi An: leaving the hotel at 2 pm, arriving My Son at 3 pm, watch the main show at 3:30 pm (until 3:45 pm), following one of three sightseeing routes (see details above), walking back to parking lot & returning to Hoi An to have dinner

+ from Da Nang: leaving the hotel at 1:45 pm, arriving My Son at 3 pm, watch the main show at 3:30 pm (until 3:45 pm), following one of three sightseeing routes (see details above), walking back to parking lot & returning to Hoi An to have dinner

Ways to Avoid Crowds & The Heat in My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is in Da Nang/Hoi An area where the climate has two distinct seasons in the year. The dry season is from February to end of August, featuring high temperatures. The rainy season lasts from September and January.

To avoid the heat in the dry season at My Son Sanctuary, visitors need to start the trip early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The earliest tour is My Son Sunrise Tour in which pick up time is at 5 am, and drop off time is 9-9:30 am. Otherwise, the lastest tour is My Son Sunset Tour in which departure time is 2 pm, and return time is 6-6:30 pm. Depending on personal travel plan, visitors can choose one of the above tours to beat the midday heat. We kindly advise that do not expect to witness the sun rising or going down at My Son like Angkor Wat or Borobudur!

On the other hand, My Son Sanctuary is a very popular tourist attraction in the area. So, no surprise that this place is always busy, especially in peak season (from October to February). At major temples or the theatre, it’s absolutely crowded or there is no space!

To avoid crowds at My Son Sanctuary, visitors need to visit in the early morning or late afternoon. If have no interest, let’s skip the show!

Group tours often leave Da Nang/Hoi An at around 8 am. Therefore, good times to go should be before 8 am, but later than 5 am (because My Son opens at 6 am). In the afternoon, pick up time in group tours will be 1-1:30 pm. Visitors can go later so as not to see too many people, and enjoy the peacefulness of the site (as it is).

To know the most crowded time of days before your visit, you should check ‘busy times’ on Google, to avoid them.

See full information & details in How to Visit My Son Sanctuary to Avoid Crowds or/and the Heat

Food & Restaurants in My Son Sanctuary

In My Son Sanctuary, visitors can see a couple of restaurants. On their menu, it’s possible to see Vietnamese and local dishes, such as Mi Quang noodles, fried noodles, fried spring rolls, noodle soups,… The price is the same as Hoi An Ancient Town. On hot days, some places have air-conditioned rooms.

On the way from My Son Sanctuary back to Da Nang/Hoi An, there are no good restaurants to eat, if you are not a local. We advise having foods at My Son or in the city. To be honest, at the present, restaurants in the city may be better.

Things to Do between Da Nang & My Son Sanctuary

Between Da Nang and My Son Sanctuary, visitors can do these activities:

– sightseeing the Marble Mountains with stunning hikes to ancient temples, majestic caves, and peaks

– seeing lots of fine art sculptures and go shopping at Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, a 300-years-old craft village

– discovering Am Phu Cave, the longest cave in Da Nang with impressive rock formations and interesting stories about ‘the hell’ from local perspective

– visiting Bo Bo Hill (Hill 55) where a memorial statue is built to commemorate the victory of local people in French and American wars

– paying homage to Nguyen Ba Thanh, former president of Da Nang city in his tomb and memorial park

Things to Do between Hoi An & My Son Sanctuary

Between Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, visitors can do these activities:

– visiting Tra Kieu Church or the Marian Shrine of the Our Lady of Tra Kieu, one of the holiest sites for Vietnamese catholics

– trying Mi Quang noodles at a local restaurant (Mi Quang is the provincial noodle dish of Quang Nam. A bowl of this food includes white/yellow fresh rice noodles, pork/chicken/fish, quail eggs, peanuts, rice cracker, raw vegetables, savoury soup)

– going on a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to see sunset and rural areas along the largest river of the province

– visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village, the last surviving pottery village in the area, and watching how an artisan makes a pottery object, and later trying your hand

– visiting Thanh Ha Terracotta Park to see/photograph the miniature of wonders all over the world, learning about traditional pottery making in the village

– seeing and taking pictures at Thanh Ha Fish Market, an early morning fish market

– seeing a collection of about 200 sculptures at Museum of Sa Huynh and Champa Culture

– visiting Bang An Tower, a 10th-century Cham temple to worship Shiva God

– having a coffee at a rice field café

– visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village, home to generations of artisans who have built boats or carved sculptures for hundreds of years

– learning how to make a fresh rice paper

– learning how to weave a Vietnamese traditional sedge mat

– going on a basket boat ride in the coconut forest at Tra Nhieu Fishing Village

Guided Tours to My Son Sanctuary Vietnam

Here are popular guided tours to My Son Sanctuary:

– My Son Sanctuary Half Day Tour with Traditional Art Performance

– My Son Sanctuary Private Tour with Local Expert Guide

– My Son Sanctuary Early Morning Tour to Beat the Crowds

– My Son Sanctuary Afternoon Tour with Traditional Art Performance

– My Son Sanctuary Afternoon Tour with Boat Trip on Thu Bon River

– My Son Sanctuary Sunset Tour to Avoid the Crowds

– My Son Sanctuary & Marble Mountain Tour

– My Son Sanctuary Tour with Chinese Speaking Guide

– My Son & Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour

– My Son & Hoi An Tour – World Heritage Site Tour

– My Son & Thanh Ha Pottery Village Tour from Hoi An

– My Son & Hoi An Coconut Village Tour

– My Son, Pottery Village & Coconut Village Tour from Hoi An

– My Son & Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour

– My Son Bike Tour from Hoi An

– My Son Sanctuary & Lady Buddha Tour from Da Nang