My Son Sanctuary: A Gorgeous Day Trip from Hoi An
My Son Sanctuary is a Hindu temple complex built between the 4th and 14th century AD by the Champa people who rules this part of Vietnam. It is one of the oldest temple complexes in the world and an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Hoi An. My Son’s convenient location makes it the perfect day trip from Hoi An.
Also be sure to check out my Ultimate Hoi An Travel Guide to find out what to see, do and eat in one of Vietnam’s most beautiful cities.
What is My Son Sanctuary?
Mỹ Sơn (here’s how to pronounce it) are ancient ruins of Hindu temples in Quảng Nam province, central Vietnam. The ancient holy site was constructed between the 4th and the 14th century by the Kings of Champa, an ancient Hindu tribe in the area. Most of the temples and buildings of My Son are dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva.
The largest temple buildings of My Son Sanctuary were constructed over ten centuries of continuous development in what was the heart of the ancestral homeland of the ruling Cham clans.
My Son is the perfect day trip from Hoi An because it only takes around 1 hour to reach the ancient temple complex.
It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia.
The monuments are unique and without equal in Southeast Asia.
My Son Sanctuary Opening Hours
The sanctuary is open from 06:30 to 17:00, but noon and afternoons are extremely hot – be sure to bring water. I recommend taking an early morning My Son bus tour directly to the park.
Admission to the historic area is 150,000VND (as of December 2019), cash only.
My Son Sanctuary Tour from Hoi An
I took a half-day My Son tour early in the morning to see the ruins at sunrise before other tourists get in and the weather gets unbearably hot. I booked my tour with Klook: Book your My Son Sanctuary tour in advance. This our includes the bus to and from My Son, a breakfast box, an English-speaking tour guide and the entrance fee to the park.
With the early morning tour, you will be picked up between 5:00am and 6:00am at your hotel in Hoi An. You will then enter the sanctuary park as the first visitors of the day at 6:30 and get a 2 hour guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
The bus then departs the UNESCO site at 9 AM and you will be back at your hotel by 10 AM – this still gives you the entire day for other activities!
My Son Early Morning by Bus
- 5:00am-5:30am (Summer Season Mar-Sep) or 5:30am-6:00am (Winter Season Oct-Feb) pick up at hotels in Hoi An city center and transfer to My Son
- 6:30am explore My Son (2 hours)
- 9:00am depart to Hoi an
- 9:30am-10:00am tour ends, drop off at drop off location
Discover My Son Sanctuary by Bus
- 8:40am-8:55am pick up at hotels in Hoi An city center and transfer to My Son
- 10:00am explore My Son (2 hours)
- 12:30pm depart to Hoi an
- 1:30pm tour ends, drop off at drop off location
What To Bring:
- Umbrella or raincoat, jacket in Winter season (Oct-Feb)
- Earplugs if you want to sleep on the bus
- Covering knees and shoulders (optional)
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