1. Where is My Son Sanctuary?
My Son Sanctuary is located in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province, Vietnam. About 45 km from Hoi An ancient town and about 69 km southwest of Da Nang city.
2. History of the formation of My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary is a project by King Bhadravarman in the 4th century and completed at the end of the 13th century. Under the reign of King Jaya Simhavarman III in the early 14th century. My Son was an architectural complex with more than 70 temples with unique styles and designs typical of the Champa kingdom. Most of the architecture here is influenced by Hindu culture.
Indian culture contributed significantly to the construction of My Son Sanctuary. And this is clear through the stone steles engraved in the Sanskrit language. King Bhadravarman I was the pioneer in building this place, from 381 to 413, and marked the beginning of an impressive cultural heritage.
Due to the devastation of the war, by 1975, My Son only retained 32 structures including 20 temples and towers that still retain their original architectural features. On December 1, 1999, My Son Sanctuary was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Through many ups and downs of history, My Son still stands strong until today.
3. Opening times and ticket prices
- Ticket price: 150,000 VND/person.
- Opening hours: From Monday to Sunday and from 6:30 am – 5:30 pm.
4. Unique architecture of My Son sanctuary
The architecture of My Son Sanctuary is greatly influenced by Hinduism. In Particular, people made all temples and towers of brick and stone facing East. Because, this is the direction of the rising sun and is the place where the gods reside. The temple structure here is divided into 3 main parts: the tower base, the tower body and the tower top.
The special thing is that each temple tower at My Son will worship a different king, dynasty or god. Because of this, each work is an important piece of the puzzle through each dynasty of Champa. My Son relic area will have areas including:
- A Area: This is the first area to visit. Here you can see the entire My Son Sanctuary, but people are restoring the most of the buildings in Area A.
- B Area: Located in the western hill area, there is 1 main tower and 3 auxiliary towers.
- C Area: Located in the southern hills and is also the most unique area with many temples, towers, reliefs, inscriptions, and extremely impressive works.
5. When is the best time to visit My Son Sanctuary?
Exploring My Son Sanctuary is a completely different experience compared to other tourist destinations in Da Nang and Hoi An. Because it is located deep in the forest, the road to the relic is often a difficult mud road. In particular, during the rainy season, most of the roads leading inside the ancient tower area are muddy, wet, and slippery. They make it difficult to navigate.
In Quang Nam there are only 2 main seasons: the sunny season falls from February to August and the rainy season from September to December. And the ideal time to explore My Son Sanctuary is usually from February until April. Because this is the time after Tet, the sun is not too harsh and the weather is cool and pleasant. If you travel at this time, you will not only be able to travel easily but also have the opportunity to take photos in cool, clear weather without being exposed to the harsh sunlight.
6. How to get to My Son Sanctuary?
There are many means of transportation for you to choose from to travel to My Son sanctuary tourist area. For tourists who choose to depart from Da Nang or Hoi An, they can refer to one of the following means of transportation to My Son Sanctuary:
6.1 From Da Nang city to My Son Sanctuary
6.1.1 By Bus:
Route 06 from Da Nang – My Son, departing from Da Nang city center bus station to My Son with a distance of 60km.
- Reference operating time: 5:30 am to 5:00 pm daily with a schedule of 30 minutes/trip.
- Ticket price: Depending on the tourist’s route, the price ranges from 8,000 – 30,000 VND/trip.
6.1.2 By motorbike:
The distance from Da Nang city to My Son Sanctuary is about 70 km, so you can choose a motorbike to travel to My Son. Traveling by motorbike will help you be more proactive in terms of time. But please ensure safety when driving.
- Depart from National Highway 1A, drive straight towards Vinh Dien to Nam Phuoc town. This road is about 40 km long and will take about 1 hour to travel.
- From Nam Phuoc intersection, turn right toward Tra Kieu about 20km and you will see a sign indicating the entrance to My Son Sanctuary.
6.1.3 By taxi:
In addition to the above two means of transport, you can also choose to rent a taxi to travel to My Son Sanctuary tourist area. Or renting a private car to take round-trip transportation from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary. Private car rental service in Da Nang helps you move quickly, saving time, health and more conveniently than the above two types of vehicles.
6.2 From Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary
If you are in Hoi An and want to visit My Son Sanctuary, you can rent a motorbike or take a bus to get to My Son Sanctuary. To reach the sanctuary gate, you have to walk about 500 meters to enter the My Son temple complex. The bus route from Hoi An to My Son is bus route 06, with a trip every 30 minutes.
If you travel by motorbike, the travel time from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will follow DT608 provincial road TL609 towards Tran Quy Cap – Hung Vuong – Duy Hoa to reach My Son.
7. Sightseeings in My Son Sanctuary
7.1 Kalan Temple
Kalan Temple is a place to worship Linga, also famous as Shiva, the supreme deity in Hindu belief. Kalan Temple has a height of 24m and is surrounded by 6 auxiliary towers. It is also one of the main ancient towers of the My Son Sanctuary tourist relic.
7.2 Gate Tower
Also famous as Gopura tower is the tower located right in front of Kalan tower. The recognizable feature of the Gopura tower is that there are two doors that interconnected openings in the East and West directions. Looking out from this tower, you can easily watch the sunset in the sunset, extremely beautiful and magical.
7.3 Mandapa Tower
This tower has a unique and strange architecture built in the image of a longhouse with a gate tower. This was chosen as a place to welcome pilgrims to make offerings.
When visiting the Mandapa tower, you will admire the delicate and sophisticated handcrafted carvings of the ancients. You look at the artistically sculpted patterns on the tower gate. And this is a “virtual living” background that could not be more perfect in this relic.
8. Activities and experiences at My Son sanctuary
8.1 Exploring centuries-old architecture
This is also the point that attracts the most tourists to My Son Sanctuary. Although only 32 temples and towers are currently preserved, that is more than enough for visitors to admire. The temples here are built extremely elaborately, intricately carved with many unique details.
The most special part is the brick construction, the bricks are burned and cut into blocks, then stacked on top of each other without the need for adhesives like today. After centuries, they still stand firm and this is also one of the biggest mysteries that no one has been able to explain.
8.2 Enjoying the traditional Kate festival of the Cham people
And don’t miss the opportunity to experience the unique Kate festival of the Cham people. This is a traditional festival held in July each year according to the Cham calendar, an opportunity to remember grandparents and ancestors and pray for the fertility of all things. You will witness many traditional rituals. Such as: water procession, peace offering, palanquin procession or admire performances with a variety of musical instruments.
8.3 Admiring the unique ancient road up to 8m wide
This is a road up to 8m wide with two parallel walls, 1m deep buried underground. According to recorded documents, this road will lead to the center of the sanctuary, where there is a large gate tower used for offerings only for kings, royal families, and dignitaries to enter and exit. The wall covering both sides of this road is carved with many delicate shapes and is worth admiring.
8.4 Being enchanted with the Apsara dance
In addition to visiting historical buildings, you can also admire the Apsara dance inspired by the Apsara sandstone sculpture. The Apsara dance titled “The Soul of Stone” and the performance of beautiful Cham girls to the sound of Paranung drums and Saranai trumpets. It will fascinate all visitors.
8.5 Exploring “Extremely Virtual” Check-in Photography Paradise
My Son Sanctuary with a background of beautiful ancient temples. You can take advantage of this special space to take super beautiful photos. Having been to the ancient ruins of Champa, why not try wearing traditional Champa costumes to create “lifetime” photos?
With colorful and sophisticated Champa costumes, you will create unique and beautiful photos.
9. Specialties when traveling to My Son Sanctuary
Certainly, when traveling to My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam. In addition to visiting this relic, one of the other interesting experiences is discovering cuisine at My Son Sanctuary. According to My Son Sanctuary travel experience, food lovers should try the following specialties:
9.1 Cau Mong Veal
Cau Mong veal dish is one of the famous delicious dishes you must try when visiting My Son sanctuary. Veal ingredients are selected from grass-fed young calves, weighing about 30kg, and are burned on a charcoal stove to maintain the sweetness of the meat and the crispiness of the skin. Then people sliced thinly and served with dipping sauce and raw vegetables.
The dipping sauce for this Cau Mong veal dish is also one of the factors that make the dish delicious. The ingredients of the dipping sauce include lemon, roasted sesame, garlic, and chili mixed with premium fish sauce. It creates an irresistibly delicious flavor.
9.2 Phu Chiem noodles
For anyone who has ever enjoyed the taste of Phu Chiem noodles will find it difficult to forget its taste. Phu Chiem noodles with white, supple noodles made from the best rice varieties grown on the banks of the Thu Bon River. It combined with pork belly and tender shrimp create an irresistible flavor. The dish is often eaten with raw vegetables such as bean sprouts, split water spinach, herbs, etc. And a little spicy taste of chili peppers, making the dish more attractive.
9.2 Quang Nam specialty cakes
In the list of Quang Nam’s specialties, cultural cakes are indispensable such as: banh dap, banh beo, banh Xeo, banh to, green bean cake with meat,...Although today you can easily find them everywhere. But the best and most authentic flavor can only be created by the people of Quang Nam.
10. Accommodation when traveling to My Son Sanctuary
When traveling to My Son Sanctuary, you can refer to some of the following hotels:
- My Son Heritage Resort And Spa. Address: My Son area, Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province.
- Muong Thanh Grand Quang Nam Hotel. Address: No. 351A Hung Vuong, An Xuan ward, Tam Ky city, Quang Nam province.
- An Bang Vera Homestay. Address: Tan Thanh Block, An Bang beach, Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
- Ann Retreat Resort & Spa. Address: 47 Thoai Ngoc Hau, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province.
- Hoi An Golden Street Hotel. Address: Nguyen Huu Do, Dien Nam commune, Dien Ban district, Quang Nam province.
11. Some famous tourist attractions near My Son Sanctuary
11.1 Sa Huynh – Champa Cultural Museum:
- Address: No. 149 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An City
Established in 1994, the museum currently displays up to 946 ancient artifacts of residents of the Sa Huynh culture. Coming here, you will be able to admire the artifacts and learn about the customs and life of ancient residents.
11.2 Tra Kieu Church:
- Address: Kieu Chau village, Duy Son commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province.
As a typical architectural work, the church’s design was in European style. With the upper floor being the cathedral and the lower floor being the living area. In addition, this place is also the burial site of Bishop Peter Maria Pham Ngoc Chi.
11.3 Hoi An Ancient Town:
- Address: Lower Thu Bon River, in the coastal plain of Quang Nam.
The place makes its mark with many ancient architectural works from the last century. Discovering a memory region of Hoi An offers a peaceful, gentle space that is worthy for you to both visit and relax.
11.4 VinWonders Nam Hoi An:
- Address: Vo Chi Cong Street, Binh Minh, Thang Binh, Quang Nam.
As the most attractive entertainment destination in Hoi An. You will experience interesting games and many attractive cultural and artistic shows. Besides, it is extremely impressive Vietnamese characteristics.
12. Some important notes when traveling to My Son Sanctuary
To make your trip to My Son Sanctuary more meaningful and complete, you should refer to some notes below.
- At the My Son Sanctuary gate area, there is a place to sell sightseeing tickets. After purchasing, you can travel by tram inside.
- Note that My Son Sanctuary does not support tourists performing worship and burning incense here.
- Tourists should take a tour or hire someone to introduce to My Son to better understand the history of this place.
- There is only one shop here to sell goods, so you can come here to shop.
- In fact, cultural performances will take place at 4 certain time frames throughout the day. You should remember to arrange time to watch.
- If traveling to My Son Sanctuary around February – April. You should prepare clothes, umbrellas, sunglasses, and sunscreen for themselves.
If you are planning to travel to Da Nang or Hoi An, you definitely should not miss My Son Sanctuary. With ancient architecture, mysterious works or attractive dances at My Son, it is something that no one wants to miss.
Please contact Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator. We are ready to share all useful information and accompany you on your tours in Hoi An to discover the charming of My Son with the most interesting experiences. Please take some time and visit this mysterious place on the nearest day.
