Vietnam contd: 20~My Son ruins & Hoi An farewell
I was making it through a long day following a big night out. Early that morning I was picked up on a pre-arranged private tour to My Lai where a massacre took place during the Vietnam War. Now it was the afternoon and we were heading north back to Hoi An.
One other stop was planned. About 30km off the main road is My Son (which I heard pronounced as “me sun”), basically a kind of mini Angkor Wat. Which is to say, it is an historical temple complex.
Entering My Son
The temples date back to between 4th and 14th centuries and are laid out in various groupings. I walked around with my guide who rattled off various information snippets.
The My Son remains are referred to in groups, often associated by age or architectural styles. This is part of Group B
Sadly many had been damaged if not decimated in the War but there’s still a lot to see.
The temples are Hindu and were built to worship Shiva
Elephants
An inscription in the old language Cham, I think … god knows what it says but it is quite aesthetically pleasing
Me and temple C2 (10th century or thereabouts)
A roof cavity and resident bats, happily sleeping, even after my flash went off
My guide found a bomb casing in his size. I did not
My Son is in a valley surrounded by jungle covered hills
Shelter and extra reinforcing to protect these ruins. Some deterioration is the result of time; most is due to Vietnam War bombing
Trail back to the carpark
Finally I made it back to the resort. We went out for a lateish dinner as the final event of the group all together.
Finale dinner
Excuse the photo – it’s just to show the maxi dress, being one of three items I had made in Hoi An. Now, three years on, they’re all still wearing well. The dress is not something I get to wear often and it was good to give it its first airing while still in Vietnam. The tailoring is one reason I would love to go back to Hoi An (the beach and old town being other big drawcards).
The following day we all dispersed. It had been a fun week’s interlude to the solo travels and now it was time to start the final phase of my itinerary. Next stop: Hue.
tall tales 
I love Vietnam! I did a 10-day tour there with my mum a few years ago and it’s one of my favourite holidays. I would love to go back without a tour and see more!
That seems to be a common sentiment. I’d like to return as well as I didn’t go to northern Vietnam and I want to revisit a couple of places I did go to. Trouble is, the travel wish list is sooo long!
My travel wishlist has actually shortened…I’m content with what I have seen and don’t have so many new places I “need” to go to, but I would love to re-visit some of the old places and spend more time. Places such as Vietnam, I would love to go back! We went to Hanoi and Halong Bay on our whirlwind tour and both were amazing, so different to the south, and definitely worth the visit if you get the chance! There’s too many places!!
I so want to travel to Vietnam! (I also really want to go to Hoi An to get a piece of clothing made) Thanks for sharing Hayley. I’ll look forward to more info and photos of your trip. Steph
When you do make it to Hoi An I’d be impressed if you stopped at one piece! Thanks for commenting Steph.
I loved Hoi An and am thinking about taking my best friend there next year for her 40th. I didn’t get anything made last time so I’ll have to go it a go.
Brilliant idea! Hoi An would be perfect for a girlie trip like that.
Looks stunning. Thanks very much for following.