Hidden among the dense forests of Quang Nam province, My Son Sanctuary is not just an ancient temple complex. It is an epic poem made of baked bricks and sandstone, telling the story of a civilization that was once brilliant, once sacred, and now still has the power to make modern people speechless before its wonders, mysteries and full of beauty.
My Son Sanctuary – A once glorious civilization
My Son Sanctuary is located in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, about 40 km from Hoi An ancient town and more than 70 km from Da Nang. This was the most important religious and ceremonial center of the Champa kingdom from the 4th to the 13th century, where Cham kings built towers to worship Shiva and held ceremonies to worship heaven and earth.
What makes My Son special is not only its age, but also the density of its temple architecture, with construction techniques that remain a mystery to this day. Red bricks are packed tightly together without a trace of mortar. The carvings, despite centuries of experience, are still sophisticated and vivid, from Hindu deities to Apsara dancers, warriors, Naga snakes, or lotus petals rising from the earth and rock.
Walking in a memory zone
Coming to My Son is not just to see the ancient towers but also a journey into a quiet space, where each brick and each stone slab seems to echo the story from the past. The path leading to the sanctuary passes through small streams, wooden bridges and cool green forests, making people feel like they are exploring a forgotten relic in the middle of the jungle.
The temple complexes are divided into several architectural groups, labeled from A to H. Groups A and B are the areas considered to be the most sophisticated in terms of sculpture and religious planning. Visitors can walk along the trails, weaving between the ruined towers and the still-standing towers, looking up to admire the linga-shaped spires rising to the sky.
My Son and the World
In 1999, the My Son sanctuary was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. This organization assessed My Son as a typical example of the intersection of cultures, in which Indian civilization is the origin, and the indigenous spirit of Champa is the yeast that creates unique and distinct variations.
Not as massive as Angkor Wat, not as golden as Myanmar temples, My Son chose to make people admire with its quiet beauty and historical depth. This place has suffered a lot of damage from war, but the remaining parts are still enough to touch the emotions of those who come here.
Experiences beyond architecture
If you visit My Son early in the morning, you can catch a traditional Cham dance performance right at the relic site – the soft Apsara dance steps on the ancient stone floor create a beautiful dialogue between the past and the present. In addition, the My Son exhibition area located near the entrance is also where visitors can learn more about the history, culture, and construction techniques of the ancient Cham people.
The space around My Son still retains the pristine beauty of the Quang Nam mountains and forests, with green tree canopies and the occasional sound of forest birds. This is a plus for those who love to travel and explore nature and culture..
Journey to the Heritage Land
From Hoi An, you can easily rent a motorbike, car or book a half-day tour to My Son. The road is quite convenient, and the ideal time to visit is from 7-10am or after 3pm, when the sun is less harsh and the space becomes more pleasant.
My Son is not a place to come in a hurry, take a few pictures and leave. This is a land that requires time to feel, to read, to hear the echoes of a civilization that existed thousands of years ago. For those who love culture, architecture, or simply want to find a sense of tranquility in a space that does not belong to the present, My Son is an option not to be missed.
