How to Get from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary

Known as ‘the Angkor Wat of Vietnam’, My Son sanctuary boasts of its sophisticated temples dating back from 4th century. Sadly, in 14th century, it’s abandoned in the forests. Today, this is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. 

My Son is not too far away from Da Nang, a popular beachside city to stay in the area (this has the largest airport). So, it’s convenient to get to My Son from Da Nang. Travelers can choose a private car, jeep, bicycle, motorbike tour or book a guided bus tour for the transfer. The most popular way is by car, and if possible, we suggest a tour by car with a local guide. He/she will explain the history and other aspects of My Son and visitors can deepen their understanding through. 

In this article, we outline all possible ways to get from Da Nang to My Son sanctuary. Details, prices, traveling tips and how to book the services are mentioned below. We hope that you find out the best transport for youself soon. 

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A Quick Guide to My Son Sanctuary

My Son sanctuary (or My Son holy land, My Son ruins, My Son temples) is a complex of ancient Hindu temples in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province. It had 70 buildings but now only 20 of them still remain intact. Here, the first temple was built in 4th century and the last one was in late 13rd century. During the period, My Son was the most important religion place for Champa kingdom which existed along the coastline of Vietnam. From 14th to late 19th century, it’s abandoned in the forest. French people founded it later, researched and renovated the temples. In 1999, My Son was added in the Unesco world heritage site list. Please see full details in our traveler guide in https://centralvietnamguide.com/my-son-sanctuary.

These are other inportant information you need to know about My Son sanctuary:

– Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm

– Ticket price: 150,000 VND for adults and 30,000 VND for children under 15 years old

– Shuttle bus to go to My Son is included (two ways)

– Visiting time: we recommend 1,5 to 2 hours

– Traditional performance: available at 10 am, 10:45 am, 2 pm, 3:30 pm 

How Far Is It Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary?

My Son sanctuary is some 50 kilometers southwest of Da Nang. 

Here is the exact distance to My Son from different areas of Da Nang:

– Hai Chau district/the central district to My Son: 40 km

– My Khe beach to My Son: 44 km

– Son Tra peninsula (InterContinental resort) to My Son: 60 km

– Non Nuoc beach to My Son: 40 km

– Ba Na Hills (Mercure Ba Na hills hotel) to My Son: 50 km

– Lang Co hotels to My Son: 65 km

How to Best Visit My Son Temples

After arriving at My Son sanctuary, visitors will buy entrance ticket first, and then see the My Son museum that is just a few walks behind the ticket check. Here, it’s possible to know the sanctuary in general, and other details (we still recommend going with a guide). 

Visitors should go across the bridge and then use free-of-charge transfer to go further inside the valley of My Son. When the shuttle buggy stops, it’s needed to walk for around 1 km to see the first temple. Sightseers are advised to visit the K temple first, then the E, the F, the G, the A, the B-C-D and the K in turn. This is a loop, a beautiful trekking trail with forests, streams and hills.  

Please don’t miss the show at My Son’s theatre which includes traditional performances of Cham people. It’s available several times during the day. 

The best times to visit My Son sanctuary is early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler than the rest of the day. Most tourists come to this holy place around midday, so the times are perfect to avoid them too. In the wet (rainy seasons), My Son will be flooded and has to be closed. 

Get from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary by Car 

It takes travelers nearly 1 hour to get from Da Nang city centre or My Khe beach area to My Son sanctuary. To go back to Da Nang, the drive is an-hour long too. A roundtrip by private car costs from 800,000 to 1,200,000 VND, depending on size of the group. Contact us in whatsapp number +84968009827 or centralvietnamguide@gmail.com to have free assistance and book the services. 

To avoid the heat or crowds or both, many travelers like to depart early in the morning. My Son sanctuary opens at 6 am, so time to leave Da Nang should be around 5 am. Visitors don’t have to worry when come to the sanctuary too early because everything is ready right at 6 o’clock. Local companies call this experience ‘My Son sunrise tour’. 

If not an early riser, the late afternoon is another good time to visit My Son without crowds and high temperatures. This world heritage site closes at 5 pm, so visitors should go at 3 pm or earlier. If want to book a tour, let’s search ‘My Son sunset tour’ to find out what you exactly want. 

If want to optimize the time at Da Nang, we recommend visiting other well-known places besides My Son in the same day. These are our suggested itineraries:

– Da Nang to My Son and Marble mountains / See travel guide to Marble mountains in https://centralvietnamguide.com/marble-mountains-vietnam/

– Da Nang to My Son and the Golden bridge (Ba Na hills) / See travel guide to the Golden bridge in https://centralvietnamguide.com/golden-bridge-da-nang

– Da Nang to My Son and Hoi An old town: this travel plan covers 2 Unesco world heritage sites, and by that, allows visitors to learn about local history and diverse culture. The price for a roundtrip by car is from 1,500,000 VND. 

See travel guide to Hoi An ancient town in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-old-town.

Riding the Motorbike to My Son from Da Nang

Getting to My Son from Da Nang by a motorcycle (scooter) is the cheapest way. Travelers have a journey that is full of freedom and adventurous feelings. One day rental in Da Nang is not expensive, ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 VND, depending on the type of motorbike.

The quickest road to get from Da Nang city centre – the riverfronts or My Khe beach to My Son sanctuary is via DT 605 (local people call ‘Bo Bo hill route’). Shortly, let’s search the best way to go to Ai Nghia town, Dai Loc district and then ride across the Giao Thuy bridge. In general, it’s not difficult but sometimes the riders have to pay attention if don’t want to face dangerous situations or get lost. 

Motorbike tours from Da Nang to My Son are available daily. A local rider will pick up at the hotel (at 8 am, later or earlier upon request), and then head to the sanctuary. Travelers have two options to book: visiting My Son by themselves or guided by the driver. However, about the second option, please don’t expect that he/she is too excellent in English or knowledge. If prefer a tour by car with a professional guide, contact us by whatsapp number +84968009827 or centralvietnamguide@gmail.com.

Parking lots are right behind the roundable with the sign of ‘welcome to My Son sanctuary’. The fee is 5,000 VND, and the service is available from 6 am to 5 pm.

Getting to My Son from Da Nang by Jeep

Travelers can use a jeep to travel to My Son sanctuary from Da Nang (drived by local people). This adventure is different from car and bus tours because it gives passengers more freedom. 3 people are maximum in one jeep car, and only two persons are okay in a guided trip. Duration of classic My Son tours by jeep is around 5 hours too. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 or centralvietnamguide@gmail.com to book the services. 

Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary Tours

From Da Nang, private My Son tours are more popular. If looking for group tours, travelers should stay in Hoi An instead. A trip to My Son from Da Nang will be 5 hours long, including 1 hour drive each way. Sunrise tour is selected by those who want to avoid the crowds and the heat in the holy sanctuary. It departs at 5 am. Sunset tour is helpful too, to escape big groups of tourists and high temperature. This experience starts at 1:30 pm everyday. For further details, please browse our My Son sunrise or sunset tour

Between Da Nang and My Son, the Marble mountains is worth sightseeing. It’s cluster of amazing rocks rising from the surrounding villages. Travelers can marvel at Buddhist temples, majestic caves and climb to the peaks. So, this is a wonderful place for both natural and cultural values. See more information in our My Son and Marble mountains tour

My Son and Golden bridge day tour is suitable for travelers who have 1 day only (or 1 day free) in Da Nang. Highlights are world-class cable cars, the bridge, French castles in the clouds, and sure, ancient Hindu temples at My Son. Additionally, we have My Son and Hoi An tour in which visitors will learn about two Unesco world heritage sites. 

We advise booking a tour with knowledgeable (or at least informative) tour guide to know the insights of My Son sanctuary. It’s important for history, art, architecture, religion, and even archaeology. If need an excellent guide, please contact us by whatsapp number +84968009827 or centralvietnamguide@gmail.com.

Da Nang vs Hoi An: Which Is Better to Visit My Son Sanctuary?

The distance to My Son sanctuary is quite similar if go from Da Nang or Hoi An (nearly 1 hour). So, for a private transfer or guided tour, it doesn’t matter, just book. Sure, travel time is fair. If plan to have a trip in early morning, travelers don’t have to wake up too early. The price hasn’t a big difference too (except from remote hotels like Son Tra peninsula resort, etc). 

An advantage of Da Nang is its hubs of transport, including airport, railway station, bus stations and cruise port. After the arrival, travelers can go to My Son sanctuary and time is saved. If book a hotel in Hoi An, local drivers and companies don’t mind picking up in Da Nang and dropping off in Hoi An after My Son.

A large number of visitors traveling to My Son sanctuary is from Europe or Americans. These people stay in Hoi An mostly, so no surprises that tours (especially group tours) are available from Hoi An. There is no group tour to My Son from Da Nang at the present. If you travel alone and like to visit My Son, a hotel in Hoi An should be booked (and then a tour of course).    

You can see other helpful comparisons between Da Nang and Hoi An in https://centralvietnamguide/hoi-an-or-da-nang

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