MY SON SANCTUARY

In the cultural and tourism treasures of Central Vietnam, My Son Sanctuary is a sacred, mysterious destination and contains many cultural quintessence of the ancient Champa kingdom. Let’s explore this special land to understand more about the golden age of a dynasty that once flourished in our land.

My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam

Overview of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary in Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, is estimated to have more than 70 temples and towers built from the 7th to the 13th centuries. Located near the ancient citadel of Tra Kieu, this is the land of worship and sacrifices of the ChamPa dynasty, and also a shelter if the capital is unfortunately invaded.

The holy site was continuously repaired and rebuilt during the reigns of the Champa kings over the centuries. Therefore, each church tower has its own unique historical and architectural imprint.

The most prominent common feature of the towers is the quadrangular base structure, and worships the main image of Shiva – the Hindu god of creation and destruction.

Reflecting clearly the development process of Champa culture, My Son relic brings visitors closer to ancient life, religion and civilization, as well as understanding the values and aesthetics of the Cham people of the time. at that time.

My Son Sanctuary is open to welcome guests from 6:30 to 17:30 every day of the week, with the following admission prices:

For Vietnamese guests: 100,000 VND/person.
For foreign guests: 150,000 VND/person.

Note: Tickets include fees for tram rides to My Son ruins and cultural performances.

My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam

A long history of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary was built in the 4th century by King Bhadravarman and ended in the late 13th and early 14th centuries under the reign of King Jaya Simhavarman III. This is a complex with more than 70 temples and towers with unique architecture, symbolizing each historical period of the Champa kingdom. This complex was built with the purpose of worshiping the gods Linga and Shiva.

However, the temples were abandoned due to the invasion of the Ancient Kingdom – Dai Viet. Until 1889, a group of French explorers came to visit Vietnam and “reawakened” this place.

Due to the destruction of the war, by 1975, the temple complex had only 32 buildings left. Of which, 20 buildings are still intact as the original. Experiencing many historical events, My Son Sanctuary is still a relic imbued with artistic and cultural values that crystallize the wisdom and quintessence of many generations. On December 1, 1999, the relic was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.

What to do in My Son Sanctuary?

My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam is known as one of the top 10 most beautiful and famous temples in Southeast Asia. This is a sacred destination, attracting many tourists to visit. So what’s so good about My Son Sanctuary? Let’s explore the highlights of this destination right away.

Admire the mysterious architecture of My Son Sanctuary

In general, the architecture of My Son Sanctuary is influenced by Hinduism. The temples are built of brick and stone, mainly facing the East – the direction of the rising sun is also the residence of the gods. The structure of the temple and tower is divided into 3 parts, including: the base of the tower, the body of the tower and the top of the tower.

A temple or tower will worship a different god or king dynasty. For that reason, each project is like a piece of a puzzle, recreating the historical flow of the Champa Kingdom. The relic is divided into areas including:

Area A: is where visitors can see the entire temple complex. Most of the buildings in this area are in the process of being restored.
Area B: is home to 1 main tower and 3 sub-towers. This area is located on the western hill.
Area C: this place gathers many temples, towers, inscriptions, reliefs, and the most impressive and unique sculptures in My Son Sanctuary. Area C is located on the southern hill and is a place that you should definitely not miss when visiting this relic complex.

Architecture of My Son Sanctuary

Enjoy the Apsara dance

The Apsara dance of the Cham people is compared to the dance of fairies serving the gods, with slow, gentle and graceful movements.

Initially, this dance was only used in the royal court. However, along with the development and expansion of culture, this dance is increasingly loved and included in folk life.

Visiting My Son Sanctuary, the delegations will be welcomed with art performances, immersed in music and Apsara dance.

Here, you will enjoy dancing to the sound of Paranung drums, Saranai trumpet sound and the magical scene of dancers on stage.

Apsara dance in My Son Sanctuary

Immerse yourself in the traditional Kate festival of the Cham people

Kate festival is one of the important festivals of the Cham people, usually held in July every year according to the Cham calendar. If your travel schedule meets the occasion of the Kate festival, not only can you visit the unique heritage site, you will also be able to mingle with the rituals of praying for peace, a procession of clothes and Kate, a water procession… At the festival There will be many unique cultural performances combined with traditional props and flexible dances of artists that make it hard for you to take your eyes off.

Kate festival in My Son Sanctuary

The ancient road leading to the holy site up to 8m wide

During the restoration and restoration of temples, an Indian expert discovered this road. This is an ancient road leading directly to the center of My Son Sanctuary with a width of 8m, two parallel walls are delicately carved and buried in the ground at a depth of 1m.

According to historical documents, only kings, members of the royal family or people with dignitaries can walk on this road. This is also the road leading to the large tower used to organize sacrifices of the ancient Cham people.

The 8m ancient road in My Son Sanctuary

With the detailed information about My Son Sanctuary above, we hope that you will have a complete and meaningful discovery journey at this wonderful and mysterious ancient architectural complex.