Overview

Get lost in the beautiful ruined temple complex of My Son Sanctuary, on the My Son Sanctuary half-day tour from Hoi An with Incredible Asia Journeys. My Son is the most authentic and best-preserved relic of the Champa Kingdom, a Hindu civilization who ruled much of the southern part of present-day Vietnam.

The ubiquitous red bricks make up the architecture of the tall, ornate towers, statues of gods, temples, and shrines, all devoted to the Hindu deities who governed the actions and beliefs of the Cham people. Of the 70 original buildings in the complex, about 20 remain after the American War, now fiercely protected by UNESCO, who labeled it a ‘remarkable architectural ensemble…unique and without equal in Southeast Asia’, deeming it worthy of World Heritage status in 1999.

The My Son Sanctuary Half Day tour shows you the majesty of the lost civilisation of Champa, through visits to both My Son Sanctuary and the Sa Huynh Champa Culture Museum nearby. We will learn of their history, way of life, architecture, and above all, beliefs in a stunning and mysterious setting.

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Places you’ll see

Hoi An

Highlights

Driving through picturesque Vietnamese scenery on the way inland
Touring around the jungle-covered temples of My Son Sanctuary and hearing of each building’s purpose from our guide
Learning more about the history of the Champa civilisation, their Hindu beliefs and their ancient ways of life.

Itinerary

Activities: Driving to My Son Sanctuary and exploring the complex before learning more at the Su Huynh Champa Culture Museum and heading back to Hoi An.

Pick-up from your hotel in Hoi An will be at 08.00am. You will meet your tour guide for the day and head out in a private car to My Son Sanctuary. The ancient ruins of the Champa civilization signify a deep reverence for Hindu deities and a complete adoption of this Indian religion into the Cham people’s way of life. Amazingly, it was reclaimed by jungle after it was lost by the Cham in the late 14th century, being rediscovered and renovated in 1890 by French colonists.

Follow the tour guide around the impressive complex, becoming explorers for the morning as you step in and out of various dilapidated temples, shrines and the tombs of Champa kings who were buried in a bid for favorable reincarnation. Our knowledgeable guide will take you around the mysterious temple relics, explaining the history from their inception in the 4th century, additions made by successions of Champa kings, their abandonment, rediscovery, heavy bombing during the American War and current state as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On the return to Hoi An, we stop at the Sa Huynh Champa Culture Museum, learning more of the proud history of the Champa Kingdom and the Sa Huynh people who were its precursor. We get back to your hotel in Hoi An at about noon, where the My Son Sanctuary Half Day tour will end. We offer our utmost gratitude for joining us on this half-day tour from Hoi An and we very much hope to be able to serve you again soon!