My Son Sanctuary: Information, Address, Opening Hours

My Son Sanctuary is a famous historical heritage site in Quang Nam province, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1995. This location is often chosen by most tourists for visiting as part of their trip to Da Nang or Hoi An. Nestled in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, the architectural complex of My Son Sanctuary exudes an ancient, pristine, and mysterious beauty. Let’s explore the details of this place with SVietnam Travel.

Overview and Formation History of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is a famous historical heritage site in Quang Nam province, Vietnam, located 69km from Da Nang city and 45km from the ancient town of Hoi An. The site was discovered in 1885 and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1995. It consists of a unique architectural complex of Champa temples and towers.

Looking back at its history, construction of this site began in the 4th century under the rule of King Bhadravarman and was not completed until the late 13th century. During the reign of King Jaya Simhavarman III in the early 14th century, My Son became an architectural complex with more than 70 temples characterized by the unique style of the Champa Kingdom. Most of the structures here were influenced by Indian cultural elements. Due to the destruction caused by wars, by 1975, only 32 structures remained, and among them, only 20 tower temples retained their original architectural features.

My Son Sanctuary is divided into different areas:

• Area A: This is the first area to visit, where you can have a panoramic view of the entire My Son Sanctuary. However, most of the structures in Area A are currently undergoing restoration.
• Area B: Located on the western hillside, it consists of one main tower and three smaller auxiliary towers.
• Area C: Situated on the southern hillside, this area is the most unique, featuring many temples, towers, bas-reliefs, inscriptions, and impressive artworks.

Address and Opening Hours of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is located at: Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.

Opening hours for visitors: Every day of the week, from Monday to Sunday, from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

How to Get to My Son Sanctuary

To get to My Son Sanctuary, you can choose to start from Da Nang, which is 69km away, or from Hoi An, which is 45km away. With the relatively short distance, most people opt to travel by car or motorbike.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can take bus route 06 from Da Nang to My Son. This bus route departs from the city center of Da Nang and operates from 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day. The ticket price ranges from 8,000 to 30,000 VND per trip.

Ticket Prices for My Son Sanctuary 2023/2024

There are two types of ticket prices:

• For international visitors: 150,000 VND per person.
• For Vietnamese visitors: 100,000 VND per person.

Things to do in My Son Sanctuary

Explore the main towers and auxiliary towers

The main tower

Also known as the Kalan temple, is the place of worship for Linga, or the god Shiva, who is a supreme deity in Hinduism. The Kalan temple stands at a height of 24 meters and is surrounded by six auxiliary towers. It is one of the main ancient tower complexes at the My Son Sanctuary.

Gate Tower

Also known as the Gopura tower, the Gate Tower is located in front of the Kalan temple. Its distinctive feature is that it has two doorways facing east and west. From this tower, you can easily admire the beautiful sight of the setting sun in the evening.

Mandapa Tower

This tower has a unique and unusual architectural style, designed like a longhouse with a gateway. It was used as a place to receive pilgrims and offerings. When visiting the Mandapa tower, you can appreciate the intricate and exquisite carvings and artistic motifs on the tower’s entrance.

Visit the Museum at the My Son Sanctuary

Behind the ticket counter, about 100 meters away, is the museum displaying artifacts. When you visit the My Son Sanctuary, a visit to this museum will allow you to see ancient artifacts such as bas-reliefs, bricks, lingas, and gain a better understanding of archaeology, religion, the history of My Son, and the ancient Champa culture.

Enjoy the Enchanting Apsara Dance

This dance is now used in important art performances in Quang Nam province and is also performed for tourist groups visiting the My Son Sanctuary. You will feel transported to the ancient Champa land, with images of girls in glamorous and radiant costumes, blending with the sound of Paranung drums and Saranai pipes, creating a mysterious and captivating atmosphere.

Katê Festival

If you happen to visit during the Katê Festival, which is held in My Son Sanctuary in July each year according to the Cham people’s calendar, your trip will become even more perfect.

Some Notes When Visiting the Cultural Heritage of My Son Sanctuary

• My Son Sanctuary does not support visitors performing worship or burning incense here.
• You can hire a guide to gain a deeper understanding of the history of this place.
• Cultural performances take place at specific times during the day; you can inquire at the ticket counter.
• After purchasing your ticket, you can use the electric shuttle service to enter the site.
• The best time to visit the My Son Sanctuary is from February to April.

Conclusion

If you are traveling in Da Nang or Hoi An, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the My Son Sanctuary, where you can explore ancient architecture, mysterious structures, and captivating dances performed by the Cham girls. We offer various tour packages that include My Son Sanctuary in the itinerary. If you are interested, feel free to contact our travel experts to book a tour and receive the best pricing deals.