Ruins of Mỹ Sơn

Roughly an hour inland from both Hoi An and Da Nang, up in the foothills that overlook the sea, My Son has the impressive distinction of possibly being the longest inhabited archaeological site in Southeast Asia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is older than Bagan in Burma, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Borobudur in Indonesia. Yet if you visit My Son, you might think that it pales in comparison to those other ruins. A large part of this is due to U.S. carpet bombing in the region which destroyed many of the temples that once stood here. (U.S. intelligence indicated the area was being used as a base by Vietcong. Whether it was or not is still a source of contention.) Several craters from bombs remain as reminders of that period in Vietnam’s history, but alongside them are the temples from the 4th to 13th centuries that are My Son’s main claim to fame. They were constructed by the Champa people who practiced Hinduism, and most of the ones at My Son were dedicated to Shiva. Typically the layout of the temples consisted of a meditation hall adjacent to a separate shrine, and this arrangement is repeated throughout the site. My Son is a very popular day trip, and this may determine the timing of your visit—mornings are generally cooler but with bigger crowds. In the afternoon, there are fewer people, but on hot days the temperature can become unbearable. Regardless of what time you visit, bring plenty of water (there are vendors at the parking lot selling water, juice, soda, and snacks, as well as souvenirs). Also, there’s a trolley that runs from the parking lot up to the ruins—there’s no need to be martyr and make the trek on foot, especially on warm summer days.

Mỹ Sơn is a temple complex in central Vietnam. Visiting the UNESCO world heritage site is a nice day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An (50 km). Walking through overgrown ruins takes you back to a bygone culture. The earliest temples were built in the 4th Century by the Cham in honor of the god Shiva. The architecture is influenced by Hinduism and thus richly decorated. Because of the various trees and flowers it’s always worth a trip for nature lovers but it is an Eldorado for photographers and people interested in archeology. Since many temples have been destroyed by US bomb attacks during the Vietnam War you can watch archeologists reconstructing the buildings and statues. Moreover, a special mountain completes the scenery. Due to its unique shape it is called “Cat’s tooth mountain.” Coming along Lotus fields and villages on the way to Mỹ Sơn is great as well for that you can see locals drying or raking their corn and rice harvest on the streets. If you want to stop there, I would recommend going by motorbike or scooter.

should come before 6am and after 6pm, you will see a beautiful scence

Crumbling Hindu temples adorned with exquisite stone reliefs of chiseled gods and goddesses are all that remain of the once-mighty Champa Kingdom. From roughly the fourth to the fourteenth centuries, this valley about an hour and a half south of Da Nang witnessed royal burials and religious ceremonies. My Son rivals Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex in its vast splendor and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s worth lingering here until dusk approaches, and the fading crimson light gives the ruins a near-mystical beauty.

The magical Cham relics at My Son are worth a visit by any way possible. However, if you have some time to spare, the best way to get there is by bike. The ruins enjoy a lush jungle setting overlooked by Hon Quap, otherwise known as Cat’s Tooth Mountain, while the bike ride there extends through emerald green rice paddies and along attractive country roads.