Quick answer: My Son Sanctuary opens its gates at 6:00 every day, so a "sunrise visit" really means being first through the gate at opening. From November to February the sun rises close to 6:00, so you can catch first light over the towers; from April to September it is already up, but the early hour still gives you cool air, soft light and empty ruins. Leave Da Nang around 4:30 or Hoi An around 5:10 to be at the ticket office when it opens.
My Son Sanctuary sunrise: what the gates actually allow
Many tours sell "My Son sunrise", but there is no special dawn entry. The official ticket site lists ticket sales from 06:00 to 17:30 and visits from 06:00 to 18:00 (checked October 2026). Nobody gets into the tower groups before 6:00, so plan around that time rather than the sunrise itself.
From the ticket office, a shuttle takes you about 1.5 km to the start of the walking circuit. The first shuttles leave once the gate opens, so the people at the front of the queue get the B, C and D tower groups to themselves for the first half hour. That empty, quiet half hour is the main reason to go early.
Sunrise times at My Son vs the 6:00 gate
The table shows approximate sunrise times for My Son (calculated for the sanctuary's location, give or take about 5 minutes) compared with the 6:00 opening.
Month | Approx. sunrise | What you see at 6:00 |
|---|---|---|
December | 06:06 | First light on the towers, mist in the valley |
January | 06:17 | Best chance of a true sunrise inside the site |
February | 06:13 | True sunrise possible, often misty |
March | 05:56 | Sun just over the hills, very soft light |
April–August | 05:15–05:35 | Sun already up, cool and quiet for about an hour |
September–October | 05:35–05:40 | Low golden light, but rain is likely |
November | 05:50 | Golden light, wettest month, so check the forecast |
Because My Son sits in a valley ringed by hills, the sun clears the ridge a little after the official sunrise time. That works in your favour: even in late spring the first rays often reach the brick towers just after the gate opens.
How to time a My Son sunrise trip
From Da Nang: the drive takes about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 (around 68 km). Leave at 4:30–4:45.
From Hoi An: around 45 minutes (about 45 km). Leave at 5:10–5:15.
On site: allow 2 to 2.5 hours for the shuttle, the main tower groups and the small museum.
Back: leave around 8:30–9:00. You will be back in Hoi An for breakfast before 10:00, or in Da Nang by late morning.
The only trade-off is the shows. The Cham dance performances are scheduled later in the morning (the first one at the performance hall is 9:45). If you want to see one, either stay a little longer or simply enjoy the empty site and skip it.
My Son tickets for an early visit
The official online ticket site lists 150,000 VND for international visitors and 100,000 VND for Vietnamese visitors, with a 30,000 VND service ticket for children aged 5–15 and free entry for under-5s (checked October 2026). A single 250,000 VND rate for everyone was proposed in early 2026, so look at the price board at the gate in case it has changed. You can buy at the ticket office when it opens or online in advance, which saves a few minutes in the morning queue.
Tips for a sunrise visit to My Son
Bring a light layer. The valley can be noticeably cooler than Hoi An before 7:00, especially from December to February.
Expect mist, not a postcard sky. Morning mist hangs over the jungle and between the towers for much of the year. It makes the photos, but it can also hide the sun completely.
Use insect repellent. Mosquitoes are active at dawn near the stream and in the grass.
Wear good shoes. The paths are uneven brick, gravel and dirt, and they are slippery after rain.
Cover shoulders and knees. This is a religious heritage site; respect the ropes and do not climb on the ruins.
Eat before or after. Food options at the gate are basic that early. Pack a banh mi or plan breakfast in Hoi An afterwards.
Check the rain. October and November are the wettest months in central Vietnam. If heavy rain is forecast, move the visit or go later in the day.
For the background on the temples themselves (who built them, and why so many were damaged), read our guide to the ancient Cham ruins around Da Nang.
Getting to My Son at sunrise by private car
There is no public bus that reaches My Son at 6:00, and riding a motorbike on rural roads in the dark is not much fun. A private car with a driver is the simplest way: the driver picks you up from your hotel, waits while you walk the site, then takes you back or on to Hoi An.
Trip | 5-seat car | 7-seat car |
|---|---|---|
Da Nang → My Son → back to Da Nang (driver waits up to 3 h) | $50 | $56 |
Da Nang → My Son → drop-off in Hoi An | $48 | $54 |
Prices are per car, not per person, and include tolls, fuel, parking and early pickups before 5:00 (checked October 2026 on our private car price list). There is no deposit: you pay the driver at the end of the trip. For the full route, timing options and what to see, start with our Da Nang to My Son by private car guide. If you want to add the old town afterwards, our Hoi An day trip from Da Nang guide shows how to fit both into one day.
Frequently asked questions
Can you watch the sunrise at My Son?
Only in the cooler months. The gate opens at 6:00, and from about December to February the sun rises around 6:05–6:15, so you can see first light inside the site. The rest of the year the sun is already up when you enter.
What time does My Son Sanctuary open?
Every day at 6:00. The official ticket site lists visits until 18:00 and ticket sales until 17:30 (checked October 2026).
What time should I leave Da Nang for a sunrise visit?
Around 4:30–4:45. The drive takes about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30, and you want to be at the ticket office a few minutes before 6:00.
Is a sunrise visit worth it in the hot season?
Yes. Even without a sunrise, the first two hours are the coolest and quietest of the day. By 10:00 the valley is hot and the tour groups have arrived.
Can I combine an early My Son visit with Hoi An?
Yes, and it works well: My Son at 6:00, back in Hoi An for breakfast, then the old town in the afternoon and evening. Ask your driver to drop you in Hoi An instead of returning to Da Nang.
Book your early ride to My Son
Tell us your hotel, the date and how many people, and we will set the pickup time so you are at the gate when it opens. Message us on WhatsApp +84 968 275 320 or see more private car day trips from Da Nang. No deposit, and you pay the driver at the end of the ride.