My Son - Worth the visit?
 

My friend and I are leaving in 23 days and are making some tweeks to our itinerary. As things stand now, we have a day set aside for a visit to My Son outside Hoi An (four days total for Hoi An). My question is, since the two of us visited Angor Wat in Cambodia in 2004, would a visit to My Son be worth it or more a disappointment?

If you have been to both sites, please let us know your thoughts.

Thank you!

We visited My Son after Angkor Wat and were not greatly impressed, though it is a different settlement with a different history than Angkor Wat. It was on our way and we enjoyed it in combination with the Museum in Danang but I wouldn't go out of my way - Hue was far more engaging and interesting.

I have to second the above. If you've been to Angkor, and aren't deeply into ruins, then My Son will be a bit of a disappointment.

Of course, if you're in Hoi An for four days, it may be worth it to get our of there for a day trip.

I agree with Michael. The ruins are not spectacular but they are also totally different. However, you don't need more than a day to see the sites of Hoi An so i would say that day trips might be in order.

My Son takes less than half a day - arrange a car and driver to get you there ahead of the tour groups. I had the site almost to myself, and it was the atmosphere as much as the buildings - which are somewhat ruinous and overgrown - that impressed. I saw My Son before Angkor, and while Angkor is in a different class I think My Son is definitely worthwhile if you're planning to be in Hoi An. I do recommend the museum in Danang, which has most of the statues from My Son.

wouldn't your son feel slighted if you did not visit him??

All your comments and thoughts have been well received. I will leave the 1/2 day trip to My Son in the itinerary with a stop in Danang to see the musuem ... and a visit to the famous China Beach. As I have read and you supported, we'll hire a driver to get to My Son early in order to enjoy the peace and soak up the ancient history. Thanks again for all your speedy replies.

Hi bob,
didnt you hear the sad news? Her son was slaughtered by an old Cham warrior who survived in the jungle.
Joke away, My Son is the biggest Cham sanctuary and just a few miles outside Hoi An. The Champa Kingdom ruled most part of SEAsia before the Khmer, Burmese or Thai. My Son is impressive but nothing against Angkor.
Being very interested in old cultures and their remains I have visited most of the Aztecs and Maya sites in Central America. Also Borobudur in Indonesia. Besides Ayutthya and Sukhothai as well as many Khmer sites in Thailand and Cambodia. But imo Angkor is unique.