Overview:

My Son Sanctuary is a cluster of Hindu-influenced temples in Central Vietnam, about fifty kilometers away from Hoi An. It was built during the Cham dynasty from the 4th century onwards and was an important center of religious ceremony and activity in the area for many centuries. The complex is made up of seventy Hindu-influenced tower-temples, each dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva. The sanctuary was originally built as part of a network of religious and spiritual sites across South-East Asia, and was also the site of regular religious ceremonies and festivals. After centuries of disrepair due to the Vietnamese Civil War, the complex was restored by UNESCO in 1999. It is now a popular tourist destination and a World Heritage Site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vietnam
Prominent Features:

1. Buddist Towers: The My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province is renowned for its impressive collection of 10 restored Hindu towers. Many of them date back to the 4th century and are one of the tropical forests oldest surviving structures in the world. 2. Excavated Site: The My Son Sanctuary was once a sprawling archaeological complex but over time the site has been excavated, leaving only the stone monuments still remaining. The temple-like structures are believed to have been dedicated to the gods of the kings of the Champa kingdom which ruled Central Vietnam until the late 15th century. 3. Unique Design: The towers of the My Son Sanctuary are unique in their design. Each of the towers is inspired by pre-Angkorian Hindu art and features curvaceous pillars and intricate carvings of various Hindu gods including Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu and Kama. 4. Historical Grounds: The My Son Sanctuary is also an important historical site as it was once the capital of the Indianized Hindu land of Champa. The towers were used in religious ceremonies and for political functions in the Champa Empire. 5. Cultural Significance: The My Son Sanctuary is not only an important cultural site in Vietnam but also a World Heritage Site. It is a reminder of the ancient and powerful empires that once inhabited the region. The site is also a major tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors every year. This national monument of Vietnam portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

My Son Sanctuary is a complex of Hindu temples located in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. These structures were constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Champa kingdom, a powerful kingdom that existed in what is now central and southern Vietnam between the 2nd and 17th centuries. My Son is one of the world’s most important heritage sites in Southeast Asia, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Rising to prominence in the 4th century, the Champa kingdom was a powerful empire covering much of present-day Vietnam and parts of Laos and Cambodia for over a millennium. During this time, My Son was a critical cultural and religious hub, acting as a pilgrimage site to honor their ancestors and to acknowledge various Hindu deities. Its eventual decline began when it was invaded by the Dai Viet Empire, northern Vietnam’s first state, in the 14th century. Since then, the site has fallen victim to a number of natural, political, and socioeconomic issues that have caused severe damage to its structures. My Son is composed of a number of monuments that serve as reminders of the kingdom's powerful presence in the region. There are over 70 structures in different locations, containing numerous temples, shrines, towers, and other features. The most impressive structure is the Temple of King Bhadravarman, who is believed to have been the founder of the Champa Dynasty in My Son. Many of these structures were built with red brick and sandstone, which give the complex its distinct look. In 1999, the site was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This designation entails preserving the area, conserving its features, and educating the public on its historical importance. The site has been restored and is now open to the public for educational and tourism purposes. My Son has become one of the most important and well-known tourist attractions in Vietnam and is an excellent destination for anyone interested in the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage. You must visit one of these historical places in Vietnam on your Vietnam tour

Interesting facts:

1. My Son Sanctuary is a unique cluster of Hindu temples in a valley in Quang Nam Province in Vietnam. 2. The site is the longest-lasting Hindu temple complex in Indochina and has been in constant use since the 4th century AD. 3. It features over 70 monuments dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and their various incarnations, and is a major pilgrimage site for the local Buddhist and Hindu communities. 4. The buildings at My Son Sanctuary were created in a variety of styles from Cham and pre-Cham to Indian and Southeast Asian. 5. Recently, My Son Sanctuary was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and spiritual significance. 6. My Son is also known for various archaeological discoveries, such as Hindu images, sculptures, and pottery from the 4th–14th centuries. 7. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the complex was built and developed by both the Cham and Vietnamese people between the 4th and 14th centuries. 8. It is believed that My Son was a religious and royal administrative centre of the Cham civilization between the 4th-13th centuries AD. 9. In 1885, the French photographer and sculptor Louis Delaporte visited the area and created a series of images of the archaeological site. 10. In 1998, My Son Sanctuary was badly damaged by American bombs during the Vietnam War, but pieces of the monument have since been recovered and restored. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vietnam with your friends and family.