My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam, offers a captivating glimpse into the rich heritage of the Champa Kingdom. This ancient temple complex of bricks, a once-significant spiritual and political center, demonstrates the kingdom’s architectural prowess and cultural legacy. A visit to Vietnam My Son Sanctuary is a journey through time, revealing intricate carvings and the remains of an intriguing civilization. The significance of the site is its architectural beauty and representation of the different cultural influences.
Introduction to My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary UNESCO is an ancient site with many Cham temples scattered along a 2-kilometer-wide valley, surrounded by green hills and mountains. Due to the impacts of war and time, the structures that still stand in My Son are of immense historical and cultural significance on a global scale.
- Address: Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province
- My Son Sanctuary opening hours: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM (open daily, including Sundays public holidays, and Tet holidays)
- My Son Sanctuary entrance fee: 150,000 VND for foreign tourists and 100,000 VND for local tourists (covers both Vietnam My Son Sanctuary and transportation to the sanctuary center). This fee is for self-guided tours and a 2-kilometer electric car ride to the main temple complex and performance areas.
Approximately 69 kilometers from Da Nang and 45 kilometers from Hoi An, the sanctuary is accessible by both cities through a number of means of transport.
Traveling from Hoi An
There are three main ways to reach My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An:
- By motorbike: From Hoi An, head down Tran Hung Dao Street to Hung Vuong Street, cross the Vinh Dien River, and go left on Tran Quy Cap Street. Keep straight to Quang Trung Street, which has signs leading to My Son. The route is well-trodden by fellow travelers.
- By bus: There are also public buses between My Son and Hoi An but they do not travel all the way to the entrance. A better idea is to take a shuttle bus, which departs at 8:30 AM and returns at 1:45 PM. This costs around $8, excluding entrance fees.
- By car: It is not very convenient to take a private car unless you are going to visit many places in Central Vietnam. Domestic car rental services are not available in Hoi An, so you would need to arrange for a rental from Da Nang Airport. A day’s rental of a private car costs around $100.
Traveling from Da Nang
Visitors traveling from Da Nang have two primary options:
- By motorbike or car: Take National Highway 1 south for 39 kilometers to Nam Phuoc Town. Turn west onto Route 537 and take it 9 kilometers to Tra Kieu. Continue another 12 kilometers, turn left at the sign, and continue on for 9 kilometers until My Son is reached. When you arrive at the sanctuary, continue another 5 minutes on the mountain road.
- By bus: Bus 06 runs from Da Nang to My Son with a 30-minute frequency of departure between 5:30 AM and 5:00 PM. The prices range from 8,000 VND to 30,000 VND, which makes this an economical option. However, travel is slower than that of other transportation.
The history of My Son Sanctuary
The My Son Sanctuary history has its roots in the 4th century and later developed into the greatest religious and cultural center of the Champa civilization in Vietnam. It was a political, cultural, and spiritual center and also a burial site for Cham kings and priests. The earliest remains at My Son date back to King Bhadravarman I (381–413 AD), who built a temple dedicated to Shiva and the linga. There are evident signs of powerful Indian influences in its architectural style and Sanskrit inscriptions on ancient stone steles.
The original temple, made of wood, was destroyed by fire in the 6th century. King Sambhuvarman (577–629 AD) restored it with bricks, a technique as yet unknown today. Subsequently, Cham rulers rebuilt and expanded the shrine gradually, adding over 70 temple structures. From the 7th until the 14th century, My Son likely was the cultural and religious center of the Champa Kingdom, particularly when capitals lay at Tra Kieu or Dong Duong.
What to see at My Son Sanctuary
Spanning 1,158 hectares, My Son Sanctuary is a vast archaeological site that takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to explore.
Unique Cham Architecture
One of My Son’s most fascinating aspects is its distinctive Cham architecture, with very strong Indian influences. The Cham towers rested on four-sided foundations and consisted of three symbolic sections:
- The foundation – representing the mortal world
- Tower body – representing the spiritual world
- The pinnacle of the tower – typically formed into human, animal, tree, or mythological forms, signifying the connection between the spirit and mortal worlds
Though many of the buildings were destroyed, the remaining carvings and sculptures prove that the Cham people had a rich culture, a vital ethnic minority group in Vietnam.
My Son Sanctuary Museum
Once a spiritual and religious center of the Champa Kingdom of old, Vietnam My Son Sanctuary lies in the modern Quang Nam Province, approximately 30 km to the west of Tra Kieu, one of the ancient Champa capitals. Located in an isolated valley of small mountains, My Son previously had over 70 temple towers, most of which were dedicated to Lord Shiva.
After the first excavations and research missions of 1903-1904, French scholars Henri Parmentier and Charles Carpeaux divided the My Son temple complex into groups and designated them with letters, numbering the towers in each group. Therefore, the central tower of the group was A1.
According to ancient inscriptions, the initial temples at My Son were already constructed as early as the 4th or 5th century. The oldest existing ones today, however, date back to around the 7th century, e.g., those of Group E. The best-preserved temples, i.e., Groups A, B, C, and D, were primarily built between the 10th to 11th centuries. The newest additions to the site, like Group G and the center tower of Group B, were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries.
The My Son museum hall contains artifacts that show the distinctive styles of art that evolved throughout the period of Champa sculpture and architecture. The works are a testament to the rich religious and cultural heritage of the Champa civilization, and My Son is therefore a valuable historical site and a pilgrimage site for history enthusiasts.
Traditional Cham Apsara Dance
Aside from its breathtaking architecture, My Son is also where the Cham culture is experienced through traditional dances performed daily every afternoon.
Local dancers execute different Cham dances gracefully, such as:
- Shiva and Apsara dances – inspired by ancient Hindu heritage
- Fan and water dances – portraying the frivolity of Cham culture
These captivating performances, against the setting of sacred ruins, are an experience not to be forgotten by tourists.
The Kate Festival
Held annually in early October, the Kate Festival (Mbang Kate) is the highlight of Cham festivities. It is a time they honor their national heroes and ancestors and celebrate their sense of community.
During the festival, you will see:
- Vibrant traditional attire donned by locals
- Irresistible Cham music and dances that impart life in vintage Cham traditions
A trip to the Kate Festival is an unforgettable experience to gain an insight into the pristine culture of the Cham civilization, which has been preserved for millennia.
Practical tips for visiting My Son Sanctuary
Before coming to the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam, let’s review some of the practical tips below:
Planning & logistics
- Best time to visit: The dry season (about February to August) is generally best, with more consistent weather. Early mornings are best to avoid the heat and crowds of midday.
- How to get to My Son Sanctuary: My Son is roughly one hour outside Hoi An. Options include a guided tour (convenient), private car hire (flexible), motorbike (for more adventurous tourists – ensure that you possess the correct license), or taxi. Tours usually include My Son and surrounding attractions.
- Booking tours: If taking a tour, reserve ahead of time, particularly in high season. Shop around for good tour operators based on quality and value.
- Entrance fee: We don’t have any information about whether you can use bank transfer so make sure to bring some cash with you.
- What to wear: Dress respectfully, as this is a historical and religious site. Lightweight, breathable clothing is recommended due to the heat. Cover your shoulders and knees if possible, especially when entering any remaining temple structures.
- Footwear: Bring comfortable walking shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking on uneven terrain.
At the site
- Guided tours: It is highly recommended to hire a local guide at the entrance. They can provide valuable context, history, and background on the different temple groups and Cham culture. The extra cost is well worth it.
- Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the strong sun.
- Hydration: Bring plenty of water, especially during the summer. You can also purchase drinks on location, but it is typically more expensive.
- Photography: Photography is allowed, so bring your camera. Be careful with tripods, as they might not be permitted everywhere. Pay attention to the lighting for the best photos – early morning or late afternoon is typically best.
- Respectful conduct: Be respectful of the site and its historical importance. Refrain from touching or climbing on the buildings. Maintain low noise levels.
- Toilets: Toilets are provided at the entrance location.
- Food & beverages: There are normally some vendors offering drinks and snacks around the entrance. For a proper meal, have lunch before or after your visit to Hoi An.
- Mosquito repellent: While not always necessary, it is strongly advised to carry mosquito repellent, especially if you travel during the rainy season.
FAQs
We understand that after the detailed instructions above, there might be some additional questions you want to ask. Thus, the FAQs section below is thoughtfully prepared for you.
Q: Is there a dress code restriction at My Son Sanctuary?
A: There isn’t a strict dress code, but it’s advisable to dress modestly. Covering shoulders and knees is a thoughtful gesture, especially when entering any of the temple buildings. It’s advisable to dress in lightweight, light-colored clothes due to the heat.
Q: Am I able to visit My Son Sanctuary independently, or should I take a tour?
A: You can visit independently by renting a car, motorbike, or taxi. But a guided tour is strongly advised as the guides offer precious context and history, adding so much to the experience. The site itself lacks much interpretive signage.
Q: How much time should I realistically allocate to visiting My Son Sanctuary, including travel time from Hoi An?
A: Allocate at least half a day. Travel from Hoi An is about an hour in either direction, and you will want to spend at least 2-3 hours on the grounds to properly explore. A day tour will likely cluster My Son with other attractions.
Q: Is there any food available within My Son Sanctuary itself?
A: Although occasionally small vendors may be selling drinks and snacks, the choice is limited. Bringing your own snack and water or eating before or after your tour is the best option.
Q: Can I fly a drone at My Son Sanctuary?
A: Flying a drone is generally not allowed at ancient sites like My Son. You would need to apply for permission from the relevant authorities, and it is unlikely to be granted.
Q: Is there any single area in My Son Sanctuary that is more important or better preserved than the others?
A: The “A” and “G” groups are usually the most important and best preserved. Each group, however, has its own visual highlights, and if you have time, it is well worth looking at the entire site. Your guide can point out the most important details and historical interests.
Q: What currency does My Son Sanctuary accept?
A: Vietnamese Dong (VND) is what they accept. If you are part of a tour, chances are the guide will handle ticket purchases. If you are traveling individually, bring VND for the entry fee.
Q: Is there anything safety-related that I should be aware of when traveling to My Son Sanctuary?
A: Be careful of the heat, especially during the dry season. Stay hydrated and apply sunblock. The paths are rough in spots, so dress accordingly. Keep an eye on your belongings to prevent petty theft, as at any tourist area.
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My Son Sanctuary is a dramatic foray into the depths of the Champa Kingdom, a culture that still captivates visitors with its influence. With the intricate brick towers and picturesque valley setting, the sanctuary provides a direct connection to a bountiful cultural heritage. Regardless of whether you are a historian, architecture enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique travel experience, a trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one that will leave a lasting impression. By understanding the site’s history, preparing for your visit, and remaining respectful of its significance, you will be free to appreciate the site’s ageless charm and historical relevance at My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam.
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