Son My is also known as My Lai and it is the site of the infamous and horrific 1968 My Lai Massacre. The village is situated just ten miles from the city of Quang Ngai.
The My Lai Massacre has made the history books as being the most horrific attack on one village ever. 504 innocent people were killed during the Vietnam War. Today, there is a memorial stone marking the slaughter of the unarmed civilians and a small museum with poignant photographs cataloging the March 16th event, which is interesting but upsetting to visit.
This is a popular destination for veteran groups and former anti Vietnam War protesters who like to make the pilgrimage here. The place is steeped in an emotional history and is often a sad and shocking place to visit. Many tours stop here coming from Hoi An and Quy Nhon with the round trip taking about four hours.
Getting there
Tours coming from Hoi An and Quy Nhon stop in Son My. Quang Ngai is the nearest town and its train station receives the Reunification Express, which deals in services from all over the country. A train from Hanoi to Quang Ngai is a 650 mile journey and takes about 14 hours. You can catch a bus to pretty much anywhere in Vietnam from here and Ho Chi Minh City is a 24 hour bus journey. A three hour drive to the north will lead you to Danang where you will find the closest international airport.
Attractions
My Lai Memorials: the heartbreaking memorials that stand in memory of the local innocent people who were murdered during the Vietnam War.
In brief
What to do: gaze at the memorials to the villagers of Son My.
Best time to go: February through to April.
How long? One day.
Trivia: the area is famous for being the bloodiest scene during the Vietnam War.