Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary Travel Guide: A Half-Day Trip to Vietnam’s Mini Angkor Wat

Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary | Introduction

Miyama SanctuaryLocated in the center of Vietnam, known as the Little Angkor Wat, it is a series of Hindu temple complexes built during the reign of the Champa Kingdom in the 4th to 14th centuries AD. The area around My Son was originally a sacred religious site for the Kingdom of Champa. Apart from being dedicated to Brahmin deities such as Lord Shiva, 40 to 50 kings of the Kingdom of Champa were also buried there in the past. There is archaeological evidence to show that religious buildings were built with wood from the 4th century A.D. to the 7th century A.D., when brick buildings were first used, so archaeologists believe that this area was the center of religion and culture in present-day south-central Vietnam for about 14 centuries.

The Kingdom of Champa and later Vietnam were under different governments in ancient times, and the country was wiped out around the 14th century, after which My Son was hidden in the mountains until 1898, when it was discovered by French scholars. At that time, the discovered site originally included more than 70 temples, but unfortunately, after being bombed by the American army during the Vietnam War, only about 20 temples remain, which is about three-quarters of the total number of temples lost. Nevertheless, My Son Sanctuary is still on the World Heritage List, and the remaining buildings are well worth seeing.

Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary | Tickets & Transportation

My Son Sanctuary is located about 50 kilometers from Da Nang and approximately 40 kilometers from Hoi An. Traveling from either city takes around two hours round trip by car.

The most convenient transportation options are joining a local day tour or hiring a private car for a round-trip. Taking a Grab ride is also an option; however, getting a return ride from My Son can be tricky. Price-wise, Grab and pre-booked private cars are generally similar.

Since My Son is one of Vietnam’s most significant archaeological sites, the English explanations on the site’s information boards are quite detailed and informative. If you're confident in your English, a Chinese-speaking guide might not be necessary. For those hiring a private car, entrance tickets can be purchased on-site and cost 150,000 VND per person.

My Son Sanctuary | Visiting Route Overview

The visiting route at My Son Sanctuary is actually quite straightforward. After purchasing your entrance ticket, you’ll first pass through a museum. From there, an electric shuttle will take you part of the way, saving you a bit of walking.

Next, you'll follow a well-marked stone-paved path in a clockwise loop that guides you through the various temple groups. These groups are labeled with letters, and each area represents different architectural styles and historical periods. The larger and more notable temple clusters are Groups EF and BCD. Walking the entire loop at a relaxed pace takes about two hours.

The surrounding mountain scenery is quite beautiful as well, but visitors should stay on the designated paths. It is said that remnants of wartime landmines may still exist in the area, so official guidance strongly advises against wandering off into grassy or unmarked areas.

Attractions | My Son Museum

On the right-hand side after entering the main gate, you’ll first come across the My Son Museum. If you’d like to gain a better understanding of Brahmanism and the history of My Son, the information here is actually quite valuable.

However, if you're not fond of reading, you might find it a bit dull, as the exhibits can appear somewhat fragmented at first glance. Most of the statues and more complete artifacts from My Son were either taken to France during the colonial period or are now housed in the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang.

Around the 7th century, as maritime trade routes from India expanded eastward, Indian religious culture also spread across Southeast Asia. During this time, the Champa Kingdom came under strong influence from Brahmanism and primarily worshipped deities such as Shiva.

My Son Sanctuary is considered the longest-standing archaeological site in Indochina, with a history that predates Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Among the Brahmanic artifacts discovered at My Son are numerous valuable inscriptions in both Sanskrit and the Cham language. Due to the significance of these findings, Vietnam has partnered with the Indian government to conduct related archaeological research.

Temple Group K

The first stop after getting off the electric shuttle is Temple Group K. Although it's referred to as a "temple group," this site is actually quite small and was originally designed with a relatively simple structure. Today, only the entrance and foundation remain visible, with most of the structure lost over time. The ruins date back to approximately the 12th century.

Be cautious when walking around this area—the ground around the ruins can be slippery due to moss. If you look closely at the wall carvings, you’ll notice an image of the goddess Brahmi, depicted with four faces.

Temple Group E and F

Temple Groups E and F are located very close to each other. Unfortunately, most of the remaining structures here are incomplete, as this area was one of the locations heavily bombed by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. As you walk through the site, you’ll even see a sign specifically explaining a crater caused by a bomb explosion.

The temples in the EF zone span a wide range of construction periods. For example, E-1 dates back to the 8th century, F-1 to the 9th century, and E-4 was built as late as the 12th century. Although only portions of the ruins survive, you can still clearly observe the stylistic differences that reflect the architectural evolution across these centuries.

The Vietnamese government is still gradually restoring the damaged temple groups, and the only relatively complete structure in this area is the result of a five-year reconstruction effort.

This restored temple has had its roof preserved in its original form, and the interior is also open to visitors. It offers a rare glimpse of what these ancient structures might have looked like in their prime, making it a key highlight of the site.

Outside this area, you’ll also find various statues and artifacts. Most of the statues you see here are headless, as their heads were taken by the French during the colonial period.

You can also spot a very well-preserved Yoni, a stone pedestal with a central hole symbolizing the female reproductive organ. This is traditionally paired with a Linga, a cylindrical structure representing the male organ. Together, the Yoni and Linga are important symbolic elements in Hindu worship, especially in rituals dedicated to Shiva.

Temple Group G

Temple Group G dates back to the late 12th century, making it one of the most recent temple groups still standing at My Son. This group is located on relatively higher ground—a strategic choice influenced by the wartime conditions of that period, as building on elevated terrain offered better protection.

Although the remaining structures are incomplete, this area provides a very clear example of the typical layout of a Cham-era temple complex. From front to back, the usual sequence includes a Front House, a Gate Tower, the Main Sanctuary, and finally, a South Tower. The main temple is enclosed by a low perimeter wall.

At the base of this temple, you’ll find many carvings of beast-like faces. The main sanctuary features three doorways, and its base is decorated with 52 sculpted masks, all of which are distinctive architectural features from this later period of Cham construction.

Temple Group A

Temple Group A dates back to the 9th–10th centuries and is one of the oldest areas within My Son Sanctuary. As you enter the site, the main temple structure is the first thing you’ll notice. Originally, this central sanctuary stood 28 meters tall and had two entrances. It was constructed during the golden age of the Champa Kingdom.

Surrounding the main sanctuary were six smaller temples, each dedicated to a different deity. However, during a bombing raid in 1969, the main temple was destroyed, and today only two of the smaller temples—located on the left and right sides—remain standing.

Since 2020, a restoration project has been underway for this temple group. You can now see many new red bricks being carefully integrated with the surviving original bricks and columns. The goal is to return these precious remnants to their original positions and eventually restore the temple group to its former grandeur.

Temple Group B, C, D

Following the visiting path and crossing a small bridge, you’ll arrive at the most important section of My Son Sanctuary—the BCD Temple Group. This is the most well-preserved group of temples still standing, with structures dating from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The area is notably dense with surviving buildings and artifacts.

The first part you’ll encounter is Group D, and it’s hard not to be amazed by how intact the architecture remains. While some of the roofs are damaged, the walls are largely well preserved.

According to legend, the Cham people were exceptionally skilled bricklayers. At the time, they constructed buildings without the use of cement, and modern researchers have yet to uncover exactly how they bonded the bricks so effectively. Remarkably, the original bricks—when not destroyed by bombing—have endured for centuries, while the newer replacement bricks tend to deteriorate more quickly.

The main highlights in Group D are two relatively small structures, both of which are impressively well-preserved. In ancient times, these two rooms were connected to the two main sanctuaries in the adjacent Groups B and C, serving as spaces for common people to pray and offer worship.

Today, visitors can enter these buildings to explore their interiors, where you'll find numerous artifacts on display along with decorative wall carvings. These preserved spaces offer a rare glimpse into the religious practices and artistic craftsmanship of the Champa civilization.

In Groups B and C, there were originally two main temple structures, both serving as sanctuaries. The main temple in Group B no longer exists, while the Shiva sanctuary in Group C, built between the 10th and 11th centuries, is still standing. However, the Shiva statue that once resided there has been relocated to the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Surrounding these main sanctuaries are several smaller temples, most of which remain largely intact. One structure, supported by scaffolding, dates back to the early 10th century, while most of the others were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries.

This area is particularly interesting for those who want to closely examine the rooftop designs. Each tower features a different roof style, and these variations served different ceremonial or structural purposes. One of the best-preserved structures here is B-5, which is believed to have originally stored equipment used to maintain the sacred fire. You can also take a look inside to observe its interior layout and design details.

Temple Group H

Group H is the final temple group along the route, and also the most recently constructed, dating to the 14th century. Due to its later period, the architectural style is believed to have been the most elaborate. The main sanctuary once housed a sculpture of Shiva dancing, showcasing the height of religious artistry during that era.

Unfortunately, this group was also heavily damaged during the war, and restoration efforts have been slow and challenging. Standing here, one might naturally wonder—must war always destroy cultural heritage?

Interestingly, it's said that during the Vietnam War, both sides initially agreed not to target historic sites. However, because the temples of My Son offered natural shelter and strategic cover, the Viet Cong took refuge there. Eventually, the U.S. military, eager to bring the conflict to an end, decided to bomb the area despite the original agreement.

This sobering reminder highlights how, in times of war, even the best intentions often collapse under the pressure of military strategy—making cultural losses tragically unavoidable.

Further reading

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