My Son Sanctuary
Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn
A group of Hindu temple towers from the Champa Kingdom, dating from the 4th to 13th centuries. Known as Vietnam's 'Little Angkor', it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My Son Sanctuary lies in a valley about 40 km west of Hoi An. It was the religious centre where Champa kings worshipped Shiva. Construction continued for nearly a thousand years from the 4th century, and about 70 brick temple towers survive. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The red-brick towers have stood for a thousand years without mortar. Brick carvings of dancers and deities, and Sanskrit inscriptions, reflect the blend of Hindu and Cham culture. Some structures were damaged in the bombing during the Vietnam War, and bomb craters are still visible. Admission is 150,000 VND, which includes an electric shuttle from the ticket office to the ruins. The ruins are divided into lettered groups. Groups B, C and D are the best preserved, so start there, then visit Group A and Group G. At about 9:30 and 10:30 am and in the afternoon, the display area hosts free 20-minute performances of traditional Cham song and dance. The easiest way to visit is by hired car or half-day tour from Hoi An, a drive of about 1 hour. You can also take a bus one way and return by boat along the Thu Bon River. Notes: There is almost no shade at the ruins, so bring a hat, water and sunscreen. The site opens at 7:00 am, when it is least crowded and the light is softest.
Opening hours
06:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Thanh Ha Pottery Village
- Than Tai Mountain Hot Springs Park
- Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
- Hoi An Ancient Town
- Hoi An Impression Theme Park (Hoi An Memories Show)
- Tra Que Vegetable Village
- An Bang Beach
- Ba Na Hills / Golden Bridge