My Son Sanctuary is generally considered worth visiting, especially for those interested in history, architecture, and culture. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the ruins of a Champa civilization complex with impressive brick temples and towers.
About My Son sanctuary
- Address: Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province (about 40 km from Hoi An, about 70 km from Da Nang).
- Ticket price: Vietnamese visitors: 100,000 VND; International visitors: 150,000 VND.
- Opening hours: 6:30 am - 5:30 pm daily.
My Son (pronounced mee son) meaning ‘beautiful mountain’ has derived its name from its lush mountainous setting in which lies its impressive temple ruins. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, they were built by the Champa kings from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Once the capital of the Champa Kingdom, the temples were used as a site for their religious ceremonies and it is now believed to occupy the longest inhabited archaeological site in Indochina.
My Son Sanctuary in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province. My Son Sanctuary with a diameter of about 2km including 70 different temples and towers. My Son Sanctuary stands out with its unique architecture, sophisticated patterns and construction techniques that still remain a mystery to this day.
The ancient beauty mixed with mystery has made My Son an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. In 1995, the relic site was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, contributing to affirming the great value of Cham civilization in the flow of Vietnamese history.
My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam is a world heritage recognized by UNESCO (Source: Internet)
4 Unmissable Experiences at My Son Sanctuary
1. Explore more than 70 ancient towers
One of the things that makes many people curious when learning about the special features of My Son Sanctuary is the complex of more than 70 ancient towers bearing the Champa mark. Each tower is elaborately carved with religious motifs, statues of gods and inscriptions in Sanskrit and ancient Cham.
The relic site was once buried in the deep forest and forgotten by the world until 1898, when a French archaeologist and his colleagues accidentally discovered this place hidden in the heart of the valley, surrounded by two deep green mountain ranges.
Another miracle that makes My Son Sanctuary a unique architectural work is the ancient brick temple construction technique. The bricks were baked, cut and stacked perfectly on top of each other, without the use of mortar or any adhesives. Despite thousands of years, most of the towers are still solid, with only a few small cracks appearing, proving the ingenuity of the ancient Cham people in building and preserving architecture.
Visitors can explore 70 temples with elaborate carvings (Source: Internet)
2. The ancient road is up to 8m wide
One of the special features of My Son Sanctuary is the ancient road 8m wide discovered during the restoration of the central temple tower area. An Indian archaeologist discovered that when participating in the restoration of the main towers, this road was once buried about 1m deep underground, with two parallel brick walls running very solidly.
This is the main path leading straight to the center of the heritage site - where the sacred gate tower is located, reserved for kings, royalty and high-ranking dignitaries of the ancient Champa kingdom. In particular, the wall system on both sides of the road is also elaborately carved, reflecting the sophistication of ancient Cham architecture.
Experience the ancient road leading to My Son Sanctuary, up to 8m wide (Source: Internet)
3. Enjoy the legendary Apsara dance
The Apsara dance of the Cham people is an indispensable part of visiting the My Son Sanctuary. With graceful dance steps, traditional costumes and typical folk music, Apsara recreates the image of sacred dancers who were once present in the ancient temple tower. Visitors can watch the performance right at the relic site at fixed times of the day.
When coming to My Son Sanctuary, visitors will enjoy Apsara dance performances of the Cham people (Source: Internet)
4. Experience the Kate Festival - Cham New Year's Festival
If you come to My Son in the seventh month of the Cham calendar (around October of the Gregorian calendar), you will have the opportunity to participate in the Kate Festival, one of the biggest festivals of the Cham people. The festival recreates the rituals of worship, praying for good crops, singing and dancing, and unique folk games. This is a rare opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich indigenous cultural atmosphere.
Every July, the Kate festival takes place at My Son Sanctuary (Source: Internet)
5. Enjoy the specialties at My Son Sanctuary
Not only famous for its ancient Cham Pa temple architecture, My Son Sanctuary also impresses visitors with its specialties of Quang Nam - a place where Cham culture and Vietnamese culture intersect.
- Cau Mong grilled veal: Duy Xuyen's famous specialty with soft, sweet veal, crispy skin, served with rice paper and flavorful fish sauce.
- Phu Chiem Quang noodles: A dish with chewy noodles, sweet broth made from shrimp, pork and fragrant roasted peanuts.
- Banh dap: Includes crispy grilled rice paper and soft wet rice cake, served with garlic and chili fish sauce.
- Quang Nam banh beo: Soft cake, rich shrimp and meat filling, sprinkled with crispy fried pork skin and made in a small bowl.
- Banh to: Cake made from sticky rice, sugar and ginger, has a rich, sweet taste and characteristic aroma. This is a traditional cake often used for offerings and as gifts.
- Central Vietnamese pancakes: Small, crispy pancakes filled with shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, enjoyed with raw vegetables and sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Special dishes when coming to My Son (Source: Internet)
Latest My Son Sanctuary Ticket Prices 2025
Below is the official My Son Sanctuary ticket price list:
| Applicable objects | Ticket price (VND) |
| Vietnamese guests (over 15 years old) | 100.000 |
| Children (5–15 years old) | 30.000 |
| Foreigners (over 15 years old) | 150.000 |
| Foreign children (5–15 years old) | 50.000 |
| Children under 5 years old | Free |
Note:
The above ticket price includes entrance fee, shuttle bus and watching art performances.
- Visitors can buy tickets at the ticket counter right at the entrance.
- In addition, visitors can buy additional tickets to watch the program "My Son Legendary Night" for 400,000 VND/adult and children over 1.2m tall, free for children under 1.2m.
- My Son Sanctuary opening hours: 6:30 am - 5:30 pm (Monday to Sunday).
Travel experience to My Son you need to know
1. Travel to My Son Sanctuary
How to travel from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary:
- Bus: Visitors can take bus route 06 from Da Nang city center to near My Son area. The bus operates from 5:30 am to 5:00 pm daily, ticket prices range from 8,000 - 30,000 VND/trip. This route stops at Nam Phuoc, then you need to take a motorbike taxi or taxi for about 15km to enter the relic site.
- Car/motorbike: Visitors can rent a private car or drive a motorbike, travel time is about 1.5 - 2 hours.
The way from Hoi An to My Son:
From Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary is about 50km. You can travel along Hung Vuong Street, then go straight on National Highway 1A to My Son. For tourists who love to explore and travel by motorbike, this is an ideal route to challenge themselves, taking only about 2 hours to drive.
Motorbike rental prices here range from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per day. You should fill up the gas and check the weather before departure.
2. When is the best time to visit My Son Sanctuary?
The best time to visit My Son Sanctuary is from February to August every year. At this time in My Son, the weather is dry, with little rain and light sunshine. Early morning, from 7am to 9am, is the best time of day to explore the relic, with cool air, few visitors and natural light favorable for taking photos. In addition, visitors should avoid going during the rainy season from September to December because the roads can be slippery, the wet weather is uncomfortable and reduces the sightseeing experience.
Hotels when traveling to My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary is open from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm, so visitors often choose to travel during the day to make the most of their visit. Instead of just exploring My Son, visitors should combine exploring the Hoi An - My Son - Dong Giang Heaven Gate Heritage Route - a unique intra-provincial tourist route of Quang Nam, stretching from East to West of the province.
The journey begins in Hoi An ancient town - where the cultural quintessence of the ancient port city is preserved. Next is My Son Sanctuary - a mysterious Cham Pa architectural complex in the middle of Tra Kieu mountains and forests. Finally, visitors will reach the Dong Giang Heaven Gate eco-tourism area - a high mountain area with majestic nature, cool climate and pristine Co Tu cultural identity. This tourist route not only connects prominent destinations but also intersects many cultures - from ancient cities, Champa culture to the life of ethnic minority communities in the highlands.
For the journey to explore the heritage route Hoi An - My Son - Dong Giang Heaven Gate to be smooth and complete, visitors should choose a place to stay with a suitable location and guaranteed service quality to easily move between destinations.
If you start from Hoi An and visit My Son Sanctuary during the day, Fivitel Hoi An is an ideal choice for accommodation. The hotel is conveniently located, close to the center of the old town, easily connecting to National Highway 1A to My Son, and at the same time providing high-standard resort services, suitable for both relaxation and exploration.
Fivitel Hoi An Hotel is centrally located near many famous attractions (Source: Internet)
When traveling to Dong Giang Heaven Gate, you should stay at Fivitel Dong Giang Heaven Gate - a resort located right on the tourist area, offering a close-to-nature and convenient experience.
Fivitel Dong Giang Heaven Gate Hotel (Source: Internet)
Hopefully this article has helped you answer the question “What is special about My Son Sanctuary?” Not only is it a unique historical and cultural relic complex of the ancient Champa kingdom, My Son also offers visitors a complete experience of architecture, nature and cultural depth.
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