My Son Sanctuary: Complete Visitor’s Guide & Photo Tour

The My Son Sanctuary is one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. Its ruins date back to the 4th through 13th centuries. This is an excellent half-day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An.

During the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong hid amongst and used the ruins as a base of operations. As such, the area saw many conflicts and was the target of bombs. Restorations and improvements are underway. Read more about the sanctuary’s history here.

I rode my motorbike here from Hoi An the other day, right before the start of the rainy season here in central Vietnam. I have to say that visiting the ruins was such a peaceful experience—I highly recommend it if you’re in Da Nang or Hoi An.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting My Son Sanctuary.

All photos and videos in this article are from my trip to My Son Sanctuary.

Details for My Son Sanctuary Visitors

Location	Google Maps
Hours	6 AM to 6 PM (ticket office closes at 5 PM)
Cost	150.000 VND (Adult), 30.000 (5 to 15), FREE (Under 5)
Payments	The ticket office only accepts cash
Website	My Son Sanctuary
Audio Guide	70.000 VND/ticket (6 languages)
Scooter Parking	5.000 VND or Free with drink/food purchase
How to Get There	Join a Tour / Use the Grab App (download here)
Best Time to Visit	March, April, May (Second Best: June to August)
How Long to Stay	2 hours of slow strolling
What to Wear	Wear comfortable shoes, a lot of walking
Best Tour	My Son Early Morning, Breakfast & Coffee

Is My Son Sanctuary Worth Visiting?

Yes, 100%. After all, it’s one of only eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. The sanctuary makes a great half-day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang. If you go in the morning, you’ll be back by early afternoon.

I was very surprised at how pleasant it was. The ruins and the walking paths are incredibly peaceful and well-maintained. You can take your time wandering the trails, ruins, and grounds.

Along the paths, there are a few shops where you can buy drinks. Garbage bins are scattered everywhere, where you can toss your empty bottles.

There is excellent tree shade if it rains or is too sunny. I also noticed tons of butterflies throughout my entire time at the complex. I was surprised not to see any other critters—snakes, mainly. I didn’t see a single one.

The staff members inside the ruins were very friendly. There were no hawkers or anyone forcibly trying to sell me anything. Again, it was just a great, peaceful experience.

An electric shuttle chauffeurs visitors to and from the front entrance and the ruins area. The ride is free with a ticket purchase. I forgot to film my trip to the ruins, but I didn’t forget on the way back!

Here’s a video of my shuttle ride back to the entrance from the ruins:

The ride is three minutes long. It’s a great way to start and end your journey at the My Son ruins—by zipping through the forest.

My Son Sanctuary Walkthrough and Full Photo Tour

The following is a collection of photos taken as I arrived, entered, and walked through My Son Sanctuary. The entire ruins complex is well-maintained, and paved walking paths connect all areas.

Let’s begin.

A long road leads through the forest to the My Son Sanctuary area. Click photos to expand.

If you’re riding your own scooter or motorbike, there’s “free parking,” where you’ll likely be asked to buy a drink or paid parking for 5.000 VND. The paid parking is closer to the ruin’s entrance.

Stop at the ticket office to buy your tickets. The cost is 150.000 VND for adults, 30.000 VND for kids aged 5 to 15, and free for kids under 5.

You can also purchase an audio guide here for 70.000 VND. The audio guide comes in six languages: English, French, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

There are free daily performances at My Son Sanctuary. I didn’t get to see a show because I arrived right when the last morning show ended. I’ve heard and read good things. Next time, I’d arrange my visit around these.

After purchasing your ticket, you’ll walk to the right and enter the main gate. The guard will scan the code on your ticket.

After entering through the archway, you’ll have to walk 5 to 7 minutes to where the electric shuttles are. The actual ruins are deep in the forest.

Along the short walk, there are some old buildings, a museum, and a bridge over the river.

After 5 to 7 minutes, you’ll arrive at the shuttle area. The shuttles are free with a ticket purchase. The shuttle ride itself was pretty cool, too.

After the three-minute shuttle ride, you’ll arrive at the ruins. This is the same area you’ll return to after exploring the ruins. You’ll line up again here for the shuttle ride back.

After getting off the shuttle, there is an area to eat or buy drinks. There are other opportunities to get drinks or use the bathroom throughout the walking paths. You’ll pass by here again on the way out.

You can go left or right once you begin walking towards the ruins. The walking paths are a loop, so it doesn’t matter which way you go. I went to the right and saw lagoons and nature first before reaching to the ruins.

Before going left or right, there’s this map and a sign. Click the pictures to expand.

Finally…let’s explore the My Son complex.

Remember, I took the right path. So, these photos will unfold in the order that I explored the ruins—counterclockwise around the loop.

I began walking down the right path…

Back on the path, heading towards the ruins. Click photos to expand.

I arrived at Group H.

After walking back on the path, I came to another place to buy drinks, rest, or use the bathroom. There was also the performance stage.

There’s another reminder to download the audio guide, and we’re back on the path to more ruins—Group BCD. Click photos to expand.

I arrived at Group BCD. When I was there, they were actively repairing one of the ruins. You can walk up to and among the ruins.

Part of Group BCD. Click the photos to expand.

After Group BCD, I was back on the path. At Group G and Group A, there’s a cool bridge over the creek.

After Group A, I went to Group G, which is nearby. Click the photos to expand.

After Group G, I was back on the path through the woods to the next groups of ruins.

I then arrived at Group E and Group F.

Here’s a short video I took of Group E and Group F:

Outside Group E and Group F, on the path to more ruins…

There are a lot of nice and peaceful paths between the ruins. I was constantly surprised at how calm, breezy, and serene the atmosphere felt.

There is a long walk through the woods between Group E/Group F and the front near Tower K.

After going through the entire loop of nature, lily ponds, ruins, bridges, and great paths, I was back at the beginning (where I initially made a right).

This is the path you would come down if you made a left in the beginning.

I then headed to the right and over to the electric shuttle area. After the short three-minute shuttle ride, we returned to the first shuttle station.

I walked the 5 to 7 minutes over the bridge, past the museum and old post office, and to the archway and guard’s booth near the front ticket office.

Overall, it was a great experience. Visiting My Son Sanctuary is a great half-day trip and one of the best things to do if you’re in Da Nang or Hoi An.

It takes about an hour to get here from Da Nang or Hoi An, and I would plan to spend at least one hour here. You could easily spend two hours if you’re not in a rush or plan to see one of the performance shows.

Getting to My Son Sanctuary from Da Nang

The drive from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary takes around one hour. You can visit independently, either with a taxi or your own motorbike, or join a tour.

If you want to visit independently, I recommend arranging your return trip beforehand. Most taxi drivers hanging around My Son Sanctuary are waiting for their customers inside. Finding a ride back may take a while, so I’d try to arrange something beforehand.

I recommend using the Grab App and negotiating with your driver to wait outside the sanctuary for a return trip. This isn’t an uncommon request and will provide the most convenience.

You can ride a motorbike to My Son Sanctuary from Da Nang. I rode from Hoi An to My Son, then from My Son to Da Nang. The ride is moderate (not easy or difficult), with a blend of highways, two-lane roads, and dirt roads.

Alternatively, join a My Son Sanctuary tour from Da Nang for door-to-door service. Most tours originate from Hoi An, but they offer pick-up and drop-off at hotels in Da Nang for a small surcharge. Here is an excellent My Son Sanctuary tour with a boat trip back to Hoi An.

Getting to My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An

Similar to coming from Da Nang, the trip from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary is about one hour. The ruins are closer to Hoi An, but you’ll be on back roads for most of the trip.

I rode my motorbike from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary the other day. It took about one hour, and the trip was moderately difficult—not challenging but not easy for brand-new riders.

To visit independently, I recommend using the Grab App and negotiating with your driver to wait outside the sanctuary for a return trip. This isn’t an uncommon request and will provide the most convenience.

Alternatively, since most My Son Sanctuary tours originate from Hoi An, I would join one of them. I recommend either this early morning tour with breakfast or this tour with a boat ride back to Hoi An.

---

Visiting My Son Sanctuary (FAQs)