Are you a history enthusiast looking to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations? Look no further than the My Son Early Morning Tour from Hoi An. Nestled amidst lush jungles and towering mountains, My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the remnants of the ancient Cham Empire. This article will guide you through an enchanting journey as we explore this breathtaking archaeological marvel during the tranquil hours of dawn. Prepare to embark on a magical adventure filled with awe-inspiring temples, fascinating legends, and rich cultural heritage.
If you are planning your trip to Vietnam and visiting Hoi An we strongly suggest you include a My Son early morning tour in your planning schedule.
Why? Did you know this little-known ancient site in Vietnam is 800 years older than the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia? It is known as Vietnam’s ‘Angkor Wat’. The 4th Century Hindu site, dedicated to the God Shiva, was constructed by the Cham People who arrived from Java in Indonesia. My Son is just one of Vietnam’s manyUNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In this article, we share our tips on why you should consider a private My Son Early Morning Tour and why you should consider having an experienced guide with you. We have included hot tips on where to stay, what to wear and what to take with you to make the most of your visit.
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Over the years, we have visited many UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Tepozteco and Chichen Itza in Mexico, Ephesus in Turkey, Bagan in Myanmar and Petra in Jordan.
After Vietnam, we were heading to Cambodia, and the ancient site of Angkor Wat was high on our list of things to do there. The Cham Museum in Danang whet our appetite when we visited and we wanted to explore if there were any similarities to the archaeological sites we have already visited.
Most travellers add Angkor Wat to their South East travels but little-known My Son tends to be missed even on many Vietnamese itineraries.
How easy is it to get to My Son from Hoi An?
Hoi An is 42 km from My Son, which is about 1.15 minutes of driving time depending on traffic and the local road conditions.
Where should you stay when visiting My Son?
We have covered this for you as well, we have included details of where we stayed in in Hoi An during our 5 weeks in the region. It is a personal preference on where to stay or you can mix it up like we did, having the best of staying on the beach or in Hoi An ancient town.
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Our YouTube Video on My Son
What is My Son Sanctuary
My Son is a group of partly ruined Hindu temples, stone sculptures and towers dedicated to the God Shiva. It was first constructed by King Bhadravarman, who ruled from 380 to 413, and it is said that it is the most significant site in Vietnam. It was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. Not only is it older than Angkor Wat by 800 years, but it is also older than Borobudur in Indonesia, Bagan in Myanmar and Ayutthaya in Thailand!
My Son became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999.
My Son means ‘beautiful mountain’, and it is pronounced ‘me sun’. When you visit the site, you will know why it is called My Son!
Where is My Son Located
My Son is located in the village of Duy Phu 50 km from Hoi An—the 142-hectare My Son site is located in a lush green valley supported by the Cat Tooth Mountains.
Why Book a My Son Early Morning Tour
There are two reasons why you should book an early morning tour.
The first is that the heat can be oppressive, especially between 10 am and 2 pm. My Son is in a valley surrounded by jungle, so it can be hot, steamy and unbearable.
The second reason is the many busloads of tourists. As we left the site around 9 am we stopped counting at 14 the number of buses that were arriving. After experiencing My Son void of tourists at 6.30 am in the morning, we are not quite sure that we would want to share the peaceful and tranquil site with hundreds of visitors.
As we were staying at the Ha An Hotel in Hoi An’s ancient town, we asked them for a breakfast box, which they were very willing to put together for us.
The drive itself to My Son was memorable. We followed the path of the river, past rice fields and drove through small villages which were just coming to life at that hour of the morning.
What does your tour include:
- Note before booking:
- The experience is not for everyone, please consider all the aspects before booking. It’s for those who want to avoid crowds, heat take better pictures, and enjoy the tranquility.
- It can be a struggle to get up early while we require a very precise pickup time. The guest’s punctuation is important.
- The tour is more expensive because we have to pay the service higher since it’s early.
- Breakfast and coffee is included. We eat at 9:15 am.
- Entrance ticket not included.
- Avoid the imitators.
- Tour Itinerary:
- • 5.30 am :
- Pick up at the hotel and transfer to My Son. Along the way, guests get an included Vietnamese coffee.
- • 6:30 am:
- Arrive at My Son and explore in about 2 hours.
- • 9:15 am:
- Enjoy local special noodles, My Quang (vegetarian available) (included), local mochi cake, and seasonal fruits at a local home restaurant.
- • 10:00 am:
- Start to depart back to Hoi An city.
- • 10:30 am- 11:00 am:
- The tour ends at hotels in Hoi An.
- Pickup policy: Free pickup and drop-off from town to the beach (Hoi An).
- If your hotel is far from the town, you can contact us to inquire before booking.
- Customers staying outside the pickup area pay a pickup fee or come to the meeting point (given upon booking made).
- Customers staying in Da Nang pay 300,000 VND each way of transfer or can manage to Hoi An to the meeting point.
- Group size: Small group, min 1 pax, maximum 12 pax
Opening Hours of My Son
The site opens at 06.30 am and closes at 5.00 pm.
Entrance Fee to My Son
2025: Entrance Fee VND 150,000 (USD6.50, AUD9.50, Euros 5.80)
The entrance fee includes entry to the site, the electric shuttle bus car for the 2km journey to the start of the site and the visit to the Museum (which is free).
Where To Stay in Hoi An To Visit My Son
Our Favourite Hotels in Hoi An
For 5-star accommodation on Hoi An Beach, just outside Hoi An Ancient Town, which is suitable for families and couples is the Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa. The Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa has its own private beach, swimming pool, luxury accommodation, restaurants, bars, spa and water sports in one of the best locations.
If you prefer to stay in Hoi An Ancient Town we can recommend two properties.
The first is the 4-star EMM Hotel, located a ten-minute walk from Hoi An Old Town, with a swimming pool, good WiFi and breakfast included. A great funky modern hotel suitable for all types of travellers. Address: 187 Lý Thường Kiệt, Street, Hội An.
Closer to the Old Town nearer the river is the 4-star Ha An Hotel located at 06-08 Đường Phan Bội Châu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An. Breakfast is included, good WiFi and a swimming pool. Rooms are large with a balcony. It feels like you are staying in a Colonial Mansion rather than a hotel. You are only minutes from the market and the waterfront.
For budget homestay accommodation on the beach outside Hoi An the Hoi An Blue Seaside Homestay is suitable for all types of travellers. Just a minutes walk and you are at the beach and a further 20-minute walk up the beach is the popular An Bang Beach. Address: Hà My Đông A, Điện Bàn, Quang Nam Province.
Our My Son Early Morning Tour Experience
Tip:
Use the toilets on the right before you enter. They are very clean. Once you are inside there is only one toilet block close to the shuttle bus station.
After purchasing your tickets, you head inside the entrance gate and board the electric shuttle cars for a 2 km winding road adventure to the start of the My Son trail.
Map of My Son Sanctuary
Mr Lam, our guide, explained the layout of each group of temples. He also advised us not to stray off the pathways, as there still could be possibilities of unexploded mines. The site is not large, just around 2km and the paths are well-marked and laid out.
To visit the site, you walk the dedicated pathways following the order of the Groups. The groups are not laid out alphabetically, so you start at the group in H, visit the next groups, B, C, and D, before moving on to the next cluster of A, then G and finish at E and F. Sounds confusing; we thought so too.
- H- most recent excavations to the 13th Century ruins
- B, C and D – biggest group and most impressive 10th and 11th century. B1 was made of stone, and other buildings were made from brick.
- A – mostly ruins but had temple A1, which was known as the ‘architectural masterpiece of the Cham’ which is now overgrown
- G – ruins date to the 12th century
- E – oldest in complex, dating to the 4th century
- F – 8th to 9th century and currently under renovation
History of My Son
The Cham people established My Son during the 4th to the 13th century. The Cham people came to this region from Java in Indonesia. The location of the My Son sanctuary to the Cham people had a spiritual significance due to their worshipping of their Hindu God, Shiva. The
Over the centuries, many temples were added to the site, the last being in the 13th century. In the 15th Century, the Cham people lost their lands during local wars with the Viet people. My Son fell into decline and was forgotten until 1898.
In 1898, a Frenchman, M. C. Paris, rediscovered the site of My Son. During 1903 and 1904, another Frenchman, Henry Parmentier, worked on preserving some of the 71 temples in the My Son site. He classified them.
Sadly, the American Forces during the Vietnam War destroyed most of the My Son site in one week of bombings. The American Air Base was located only 60km away in Danang, and they had instructions to rid this area of the Viet Cong.
My Son was the perfect military base for the Viet Cong, it had coverage from the mountains, valleys and the jungle and the river provided much-needed water for the troops. What the Americans did not destroy in their bombings, the Viet Cong destroyed.
The Group Ruins of My Son
Group H – dates to the 13th Century
Group H dates around the 13th century. They were the last lot of buildings to be constructed by the Cham people. This group is currently being excavated and renovated. The bright colourings of the brickworks show the renovations that have taken place. The darker bricks are still the original.
Groups B, C and D – 8th to 13th Century
Groups B, C and D have the best preserved of all the Groups. Some of the buildings in these groups were constructed from the 8th century to the 13th century. They are known for their elegance and gracefulness.
Originally the construction of the buildings was made from wood and bamboo until a fire in 608 destroyed My Son. Construction was then changed to stone and brick.
In this group, there are four different constructions:
- the temple
- The Meditation House has window vents. It was used for prayer only, no human or animal sacrifice. Water was used in ceremonies.
- Storage House, with its saddle-shaped roof
- Gate/tower
The temple had no windows, so there was no ventilation. The King and his family would use the ceremony altar. A Magician would enter from the Meditation house, walk past the tower with 2 of his assistants and stand on either side of the altar. His assistants bought water into the Temple in water containers. They would walk around the altar 3 times with the holy water that was collected and blessed and given to the people to wash their hands and feet. The water had to be collected from the nearby waterfall and carried on the head of a virgin girl to the Temple. The holy water was believed to give power, luck and health.
During restoration works in 1985, archaeologists believed they had found a reburial tomb made of sandstone and contained pieces of pottery and coal ash used in cremation. This find confirms that the area was also used for the burial of the Champa Kings. The sarcophagus dates back to the 10th century.
Group D contains the Gallery, where two American bombshells and artefacts are collected from the grounds and in the temple ruins.
Group A – 9th – 10th Century
Group A contains foundation ruins dating 9-10th century. The Main Temple A1, which has been known to be called ‘the architectural masterpiece of the Cham people,” can be found in this group. The buildings A2, C7 and F3 have been constructed in a style known as Hoa Lai.
Buildings A10 and A11-13 are constructed in a style known as Dong Durong, named after the local Vietnamese town.
Group G – 12th Century
Group G contains ruins from the 12th century. Group G was restored by Italy in 2001 and 2002. The ruins in Group G are located on a small hill, indicating ‘temple mountains’ that have a connection between My Son and the Khmer people in Cambodia.
Group E and Group F – dates from 7th to 12th century
There are around 20 bomb craters in this area, and as you can see, they are not small craters.
Groups E and F have ruins dating from the 7-12th century. The Vietnamese finished 49 years ago restoring Group E and Group F.
Restoration of My Son
UNESCO, Vietnam, Poland, Italy and India have all worked on projects at the My Son site to restore as many monuments as possible. The costs so far as reached more than USD1.6 million.
The Polish Architect and Archaeologist Kamimierz Kwiatkowski (there is a statue in Hoi An Old Town dedicated to him for his works in restoring My Son, Hue and parts of Hoi An Old Town) from 1981 to 1995 worked on the restoration of various monuments.
It is still a bit of a mystery how My Son was constructed. The bricks were made from clay and baked. Bricks had to be soft, not too hard. Natural resin was thought to be used as an adhesive for the bricks. The natural resin was sap extracted from local trees growing in the area. The same sap/resin that the Vietnamese used to build their boats. The resin is a waterproof material.
On the back of the entrance ticket, it states: “The ancient Champa people were raised to be masters of art in building brick, so far the technique in building the ancient temple-towers of Champa people remains controversial. The bricks were smoothed and laid closely and securely without mortar. My Son’s value is also reflected in the art of lively and fine sculpture and carving on brick and stone from the images of deities, priests, dances, plants, animals and sacrifice.”
Why You Should Use The Services of a Guide
Throughout the visit, we only noticed a few signs. At least they were in English and Vietnamese, but there was a distinct shortage of written information. We would still have hired a guide even if we had known this in advance. We have visited many sites where we have not taken the advice and booked a guide and missed out on valuable information.
If you have not booked a guide, we recommend visiting the Museum first.
When is the best time to visit My Son
The hottest month to visit South Vietnam is August, the exact time that we visited, and it was very hot and humid. February and April are an ideal time to visit as there is not much rainfall during this period and the temperatures are comfortable to deal with. The rainy season runs from October to February.
How Long Does It Take To Visit My Son
It takes about 2 hours to visit the My Son Sanctuary. Allow extra time to visit the Museum just before the entrance on the left-hand side as you exit. The journey from Hoi An or Danang should take just over an hour.
Traditional Performances within the My Son Sanctuary
On the public stage, 20-minute traditional Aspara dance performances last 20 minutes. The performances depict daily life and historical events.
Timings are:
- 09.15
- 10.45
- 14.00
- 15.30
At Group G there are 2 performances daily at 10.00 and 14.45 depending on the weather.
What to Wear to My Son
My Son is a religious site, so we advise you not to wear sleeveless shirts or shorts. A good pair of walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended.
My Son Museum
It is worth allowing time to visit the Museum. If you have not booked a guide, visit the Museum first as there is little information available on the site itself.
The Museum contains artefacts and carvings from the site. There is excellent information about the construction of the temples, the Cham people and their culture and religion.
Essential Information for Visiting Vietnam and My Son
Getting into My Son
The closest airport to My Son is Danang.
For airport transfers to Danang or Hoi An, click here.
Flight Deals to Da Nang
Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our ‘go-to’ when we are researching and booking flights throughout the world.
Air Asia, the budget carrier, has flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang and Nha Trang from major Asian cities.
Transport around Vietnam
We use 12go Asia for bus, ferry and train bookings in South East Asia.
Check schedules and ticket prices hereDo You Need a Visa for Vietnam
Getting an e-visa online for Vietnam is an easy process.
Travel Insurance
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your flights and pay deposits on any cruises, tours or hotels.
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Top 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Vietnam
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In conclusion, embarking on the My Son Early Morning Tour from Hoi An is a truly unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the ancient ruins of the Champa Kingdom, marvel at the intricate architecture and learn about the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. Additionally, witnessing the sunrise over this mystical site adds an ethereal charm to the entire trip. With knowledgeable guides, comfortable transportation, and a flexible itinerary, this tour ensures that visitors make the most out of their time at My Son Sanctuary. Whether it’s capturing breathtaking photos or immersing oneself in centuries-old history, this excursion promises an unforgettable journey through Vietnam’s past.
I am so glad I came across this blog post. I have heard of Angkor Wat in Cambodia but haven’t heard of My Son before in Vietnam. I am still to reach this part of the world but I really want to include this on my trip. Bookmarked this post for future reference. Thank you for such a detailed guide.
Hi Danik
Thanks for your comments. We hope that you can include My Son when you visit Vietnam, it is an interesting tour.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
My Son looks so amazing… Didn’t know such a beautiful site exists in Vietnam…I am surely visiting this place next time…The american bombs at the site reminds us how we lose history sometimes in the name of war
Hi Tanayesh
Thanks for your comments. We hope you do get a chance to visit one day.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Thanks for adding yet one more spot to our growing list of things to see in Vietnam. I would definitely want to visit My Son if it is the most significant site in Vietnam. Good to know we can get there from different spots. We always like to visit early to avoid crowds. The heat at mid-day is another good reason. It certainly looks like a fascinating spot to visit. So great that they have ruins from so many different eras.
Hi Linda
Thanks for your comments. My Son although small is an interesting site to visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I will be traveling to Cambodia and Vietnam next year. So I am bookmarking this post for reference. Both are such interesting countries. Will definitely consider the My Son tour. It sounds really exciting to know that it is 800 years older than Angkor wat.
Hi Pooja
Thanks for your comments. Cambodia and Vietnam are such great destinations to visit. Enjoy your travels.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Wow, I’d never even heard of My Son before. It doesn’t surprise me that it’s so much older than Angkor Wat, though; when we were travelling in Europe we found multiple unknown sites that were both older and more complete than Stonehedge. It’s really impressive that the bricks at My Son weren’t secured with mortar. And thank you for the tip about getting a guide – I typically do have one, but probably wouldn’t have for here. Good to keep in mind!
Hi Rhonda
Thanks for your comments. My Son was one of our highlights in Vietnam. Such an interesting visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Great to hear about this beautiful place even though it doesn’t seem to be as promoted as the famous Angor Wat. It is posts like these that show us places that are less heard of and very interesting . Really fascinating to know that My Son is 800 years older than the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia? The architecture is very similar to the ones in the region but still very appealing to someone like me who love these. It did survive the wars and a great pic of the bomb near the ancient temple. Thanks for sharing this and hope can visit some day.
Hi Amar
Thanks for your comments. My Son is such a unique place to visit. We hope you can visit one day.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Hahaha, when I started reading I was wondering why would you want anybody to include your son in their travel plans. I have to confess that I’ve never heard of this place, although I always wanted to visit Angkor Wat. I’ll definitely add My Son to the list. Although we usually like to explore the sites by ourselves, there are some places where you are better off with a guide. And My Son seems to be one of them.
Cambodia is just eat 3-hours away from the Philippines, and I haven’t been there. I heard that Cambodia is one of the awesome places in Asia, plus to foods. I can’t wait to travel to this place.
Same with Cambodia, Vietnam is my neighbour country that I havent visited. This famous bay is exquisite? And also their other ecotourism spot. Do you think four weeks in Vietnam would be a good idea?
Hi Blair
Thanks for your comments. Four weeks travelling Vietnam is definitely the way to visit. It is such a distance between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and so many great places to visit in between.
Absolutely breathtaking experience on the My Son Vietnam Early Morning Tour from Hoi An! The serene beauty of the ancient ruins combined with the tranquility of the early morning created an unforgettable atmosphere. The tour guide’s knowledge and passion added a rich layer to the historical journey. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Vietnam in 2024!