Last Updated: October 2026
When our alarm went off at 4.30 am, we were both fast asleep. Waking up that early is always hard. But we managed to drag ourselves out of bed and met our tour guide outside the front of our hotel. We were off to catch the sunrise at the My Son Sanctuary, a set of ruins from the ancient Cham Kingdom, found a little over an hour outside of Hoi An. The reason we chose to head there for sunrise was simple, we wanted to avoid both the crowds and the heat of the day.
By the time we arrived at the My Son Sanctuary, it was just before 6.00 am. The ticket booth wasn’t even open yet and there was nobody in sight other than a friendly dog who came to greet us. It felt so peaceful. The peace was short-lived, however, as by the time the booth opened, a couple of small busloads of tourists had joined us at the entrance. We made our way to the electric car station, where a shuttle bus drove us the remaining two kilometres to the My Son site for our guided tour.
What is the My Son Sanctuary?
The My Son Sanctuary is a partially ruined set of Hindu temples that were built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the kings of Champa. These temples were dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva. These archaeological remains are the most important of the Cham civilization. They are also considered one of best examples of Hindu architecture in Southeast Asia.
In 1999, UNESCO declared the My Son Sanctuary a World Heritage site.
The Structures of My Son Sanctuary
The buildings at My Son Sanctuary are divided into several archaeological groups, designated by letters of the alphabet. Among the most significant are groups B, C and D, where you can admire some of the site’s best-preserved structures and intricate carvings.
At its peak, My Son was home to more than 70 temples and religious structures. Sadly, many were destroyed or severely damaged during the Vietnam War, particularly by American bombing in 1969. As you explore the ruins, you’ll still see large bomb craters, a sobering reminder of the site’s turbulent history. Today, only a fraction of the original structures survive.
The earliest temples were built from wood, but after fires destroyed them, later Cham rulers constructed impressive temples using red bricks. One of the most fascinating aspects of My Son is the remarkable brickwork, with joints so fine that the bricks almost appear to have been fused together.
For years, researchers and restorers have studied the techniques used by the Cham builders, including the natural bonding materials that may have held the bricks together. Restoring these ancient structures has proved challenging, particularly when trying to match the durability and appearance of the original brickwork.
As you wander around the sanctuary, look closely at the beautiful decorative carvings, including animals, Hindu deities and scenes from ancient mythology. Despite the damage suffered over the centuries, the craftsmanship of the Cham people is still incredibly impressive.
It was very impressive to see the sun rise over the temples.
Where is the My Son Sanctuary?
My Son Sanctuary is located in a beautiful jungle valley in Central Vietnam, approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Hoi An and around 70 kilometres from Da Nang. Formerly part of Quang Nam Province, the area became part of the expanded Da Nang municipality in 2025.
How to get to the My Son Sanctuary
There are three ways to get to the My Son Sanctuary:
By guided tour from Hoi An or Danang
Many companies offer trips to the My Son Sanctuary. For a cheaper option, you can choose a group tour, but you might only spend one hour at the site itself. They normally stop along the way, to visit restaurants and businesses allied with the tour operator. You can also opt for a private tour which gives you more control. We booked a private tour through Andy Tran Tours and it was perfect for us. We drove to the site, explored the sanctuary and drove back, without any other stops. That was exactly what we wanted.
By taxi
Renting a taxi is another great alternative but you will have to pay for a return trip and pay for the driver to wait for you.
By Motorbike
If you’re comfortable riding a motorbike, renting one in Hoi An gives you the freedom to explore My Son Sanctuary at your own pace. Motorbike rentals are widely available in town, with prices varying depending on the type of bike and rental company. Allow around an hour to reach the sanctuary, and remember to budget for petrol.
How much is the entrance fee?
The entrance fee to the My Son Sanctuary is 150,000 VND. It includes entrance to the ruins, entrance to the museum and the ride on the electric shuttle to the sanctuary.
Tips for Visiting My Son Sanctuary
- Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm, with ticket sales generally closing at 5 pm.
- Entrance fee: 150,000 VND per international visitor, including the electric shuttle, museum and cultural performances.
- Best time to visit: Arrive as early as possible to enjoy cooler temperatures, beautiful morning light and fewer crowds.
- Allow enough time: Spend around 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the ruins, plus travel time from Hoi An.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. There is limited shade around the temples.
- Don’t miss the museum: Located near the entrance, it provides fascinating insights into the Cham civilisation and the history of the sanctuary.
If you’re planning a visit to Hoi An or Da Nang, we’d highly recommend making time for My Son Sanctuary. Having since visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia, we can say that My Son is much smaller and less impressive in scale, but it has its own unique charm and fascinating history. Exploring these ancient ruins in the peaceful early morning light was a wonderful experience and well worth the early start!
Tours to My Son
Where to stay in Hoi An?
Cozy Hoi An Boutique Villas
This boutique hotel offers seventeen uniquely designed villas and is a five-minutes walk to the Japanese Bridge and the night market. Click here for the latest prices.
Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort
Located just outside the old town, the Almanity is quiet and only a few minutes walk to the action. It offers daily free massages, free bikes and it has an amazing pool to cool off in after a day exploring. We had a lovely stay there. Click here for the latest prices.
Explore More of Central Vietnam
Discover beautiful Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary makes a fantastic half-day trip from Hoi An, but there’s so much more to explore in this charming town. Check out our 10 Best Things to Do in Hoi An for more inspiration.
Planning a longer trip? Our Two-Week Vietnam Itinerary takes you through some of the country’s most beautiful and fascinating destinations, including Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
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10 Things You Should do in Hoi An, Vietnam’s City of Lanterns
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That’s a pretty fascinating trip you took! I was in Hoi An andMui Ne around 20 years ago when I happened upon some ruins from the Champa kingdom era. At the time I had no idea there were ruins that ancient in Vietnam. I’m surprised busloads of tourists are making their way there – it seems so out of the way! How long does the motorbike tour take to get there? That might be an option if I ever return….which I do hope to do some day
Hi Michele, we went there by car and it took us about an hour so I am guessing it’s quite similar by motorbike maybe a bit over an hour. Hope you get back there some day. Such an interesting part of Vietnam.