My Son Sanctuary
If Hoi An enchants you by colorful lanterns along downtown streets by night, charming red towers in My Son surely amazes you in the sunset.
Location & History
My Son Sanctuary is situated in My Son village, Duy Tan commune, Duy Xuyen district, approximately 30 km west of Tra Kieu, the ancient capital of the Cham civilization, and about 69 km south-west of Da Nang city in Vietnam.
Photo befreetour.com
My Son consists of around 70 architectural structures, varying from small shrines to grand temples. It served as the sacred land of the Cham people from the 4th to the 13th century. In the 4th century, during the reign of King Bhadravarman, after the establishment of Tra Kieu, My Son became the religious center of the Cham kingdom, attracting royal members and aristocrats to conduct significant religious ceremonies. Over nearly nine centuries, My Son witnessed both the prosperity and decline of the Champa kingdom.
Photo by @chiiiko_travel
The first temple, built from wood in the 4th century, was dedicated to Saint Siva Bhadravarman, named for the king and the deity. This wooden structure was completely destroyed by fire in the 6th century. Subsequently, Cham kings constructed more temples and towers dedicated to various gods and to assert their power. By the late 13th century, the Champa kingdom faced invasions from neighboring powers such as Vietnam, China, and Khmer, forcing the capital to relocate to Binh Thuan province. As a result, My Son fell into disuse, and no further construction occurred at the site.
photo by @our_bro.1
After being forgotten for centuries, My Son was rediscovered in 1898 by a French scholar and underwent restoration efforts from 1937 to 1944 by the École Française d'Extrême-Orient. Sadly, the site suffered significant damage from American bombings during the Vietnam War, leaving only 20 out of the original 32 structures relatively intact today.
Architecture
Researchers from France, Poland, and Vietnam have noted that the architecture of My Son Sanctuary is influenced by various cultures, including Arabian, Malaysian, Indonesian, and particularly Indian, showcasing a blend of styles such as the ancient design of the 7th-8th centuries, Hoa Lai style of the 8th-9th century, Dong Duong style from the mid-9th century, and the My Son-Binh Dinh style. All towers were constructed using red bricks and sandstone, and the techniques for brick making and building remain somewhat enigmatic, intriguing archaeologists and visitors alike.
Despite the limited number of remaining structures, My Son continues to exemplify the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the ancient Champa civilization during its peak. Recognizing these invaluable attributes, UNESCO designated My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, attracting millions of tourists annually.
Useful Information
- Location: My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam, Vietnam
- Best for: Family, couple, solo
- Entrance: 50,000VND
- Hours: 8AM - 4:30PM
- Distance to city center: 26.3km (16.3 mi)
Hoi An Impression Theme Park
The introduction of newly-opened Hoi An Impression Themed Park has brought a completely splendid experience. Prepare yourself for an eye-popping journey to go through the most amusing history session you could only have once in a lifetime.
Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham)
Cham Island is a group of 8 small islands, which has been recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve (Cu Lao Cham Marine Park).
Tra Que Herb Village
The village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up the everyday meals of the Hoi An people.
