Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary

A visit to My Son Sanctuary will make your trip to Hoi An or Da Nang much more memorable. Explore the past of the ancient Kingdom of Champa at this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A visit to My Son Sanctuary will make your trip to Hoi An or Da Nang much more memorable. Explore the past of the ancient Kingdom of Champa at this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site.

My Son Sanctuary – a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Source: Collected)

In December 1999, UNESCO designated My Son Sanctuary as a World Heritage Site. This Cham tower complex is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful and impressive Cham temples. Each temple has a unique structural style that reflects the historical stages of the Champa kingdoms. Only about 20 of these temple towers still stand in My Son because of natural disasters and war-related damage. However, it is still a destination that attracts tourists from all over the world.

1. Where is My Son Sanctuary Vietnam?

1.1. Location, opening hours, and ticket prices of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary comprises several ancient Cham temples spreading across a 2-kilometer-wide valley surrounded by hills and mountains. Although time and war severely damaged these relics, what remains in My Son plays an important role in world history and culture.

My Son Sanctuary is located in Quang Nam province of Vietnam (Source: Collected)

• Address: Duy Phu village, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province
• Opening hours: 6:30 am – 5:30 pm (every day, including holidays and Tet)
• Entrance fee: 150,000 VND (including the fees to My Son Sanctuary and the Champa Museum). This price applies only to self-guided visits to My Son without any tour guide service. It includes a 2-kilometer-long electric car ride to My Son’s center and art performing areas.

1.2. How to get to My Son Sanctuary?

My Son is about 69 kilometers away from Da Nang and 45 kilometers away from Hoi An Ancient Town. So, you can reach My Son Vietnam from both cities.

The panorama of My Son Sanctuary (Source: Collected)

1.2.1. From Hoi An

If you depart from Hoi An to My Son, there are three ways to get there:

• By bike: It’s easy to get to My Son on a scooter. From Hoi An, take Tran Hung Dao street to Hung Vuong street. After crossing Vinh Dien River, turn left onto Tran Quy Cap street and continue straight until you reach Quang Trung street. There will be signs directing you to My Son, and you will see other travelers driving along the way.
• By bus: Some public buses run between Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, but they don’t stop at the gates, so it’s not the most efficient way to get there. Instead, you can reserve a seat on a shuttle bus from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary in advance, which departs at 8:30 am and returns at 1:45 pm. It costs as little as $8, making it a low-cost option, though entrance tickets must still be purchased.
• By car: We would not recommend renting a car to visit My Son Sanctuary unless you are planning a multi-day trip through Central Vietnam. There are no car rental companies in Hoi An, so you must hire a car from Da Nang Airport. The car rental for a day costs around $100.

The route from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary (Source: Collected)

1.2.2. From Da Nang

There are two ways to depart from Da Nang to travel to My Son:

• By bike or car: Follow National Highway 1 south to Nam Phuoc town (for about 39 kilometers), then turn west on Route 537 for about 9 kilometers to Tra Kieu. When you reach the fork after going for 12 kilometers, turn left under the instruction sign board and continue for 9 kilometers to My Son. Continue on the mountain road for about 5 minutes after reaching My Son Sanctuary.
• By bus:  You can take bus number 06 from Da Nang to My Son. The bus runs every 30 minutes beginning at 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The bus fare ranges from 8,000VND to 30,000VND. Although it is less expensive, the bus takes longer than other modes of transportation.

The route from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary (Source: Collected)