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Belonging to Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, My Son sanctuary is 45 km west of Hoi An, 70 km South of Da Nang.
In 1898, a French soldier named M.C. Paris, found out My Son temples in a secret narrow valley among dense forests. Not long after that, scientists and archeologists from French Far Eastern Archaeological Scholar Institute came and researched epitaphs, architecture and sculptures in My Son. They revealed that My Son was the most grandiose vestige in Viet Nam, continuously built for more than 1000 years. My Son temples were built from the 4th century under the reign of king Bhadravaman, until late 13th century, and early 14th century under the reign of King Jaya Simhavaman III (Che Man).
My Son used to be a group of more than 70 temple towers. Each temple has a typical architecture which reflects a historical stage of the Champa kingdoms. Most of the architecture and sculptures were influenced by Indian culture. Most of the temples point to the East, the sun direction. Champa people thought that the East was the place where the gods lived. Only a few towers point to the West or both East and West this meant that when the king died he would be conferred as a god and present his affection to his ancestor.
Due to natural disasters and war-related damages, only about 20 temple towers still remain in My Son. However, most of the remaining epitaphs, archaeology analysis and relies preserved in My Son and some domestic museums such as Danang Cham museum, Ho Chi Minh historical museum sufficiently make us dramatically admire the art of architecture and sculpture of the ancient Champa people. Especially, up to now, the technic of sticking building materials without any mortar in construction of temple towers in My Son still a secret stimulating fondness for curiosity, discovery and research of scientists as well as of everyone.
Although My Son is not as majestic and spectacular as Angkor ( Cambodia), Pagan (Myanma), Borobudua ( Indonesia)..., My Son possesses an important role in South East Asia’s civilisation of art. In December 1999, Hoi An ancient town along with My Son were recognised as the world cultural heritages by UNESCO. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and researchers visit My Son every year.
In 1898, a French soldier named M.C. Paris, found out My Son temples in a secret narrow valley among dense forests. Not long after that, scientists and archeologists from French Far Eastern Archaeological Scholar Institute came and researched epitaphs, architecture and sculptures in My Son. They revealed that My Son was the most grandiose vestige in Viet Nam, continuously built for more than 1000 years. My Son temples were built from the 4th century under the reign of king Bhadravaman, until late 13th century, and early 14th century under the reign of King Jaya Simhavaman III (Che Man).
My Son used to be a group of more than 70 temple towers. Each temple has a typical architecture which reflects a historical stage of the Champa kingdoms. Most of the architecture and sculptures were influenced by Indian culture. Most of the temples point to the East, the sun direction. Champa people thought that the East was the place where the gods lived. Only a few towers point to the West or both East and West this meant that when the king died he would be conferred as a god and present his affection to his ancestor.
Due to natural disasters and war-related damages, only about 20 temple towers still remain in My Son. However, most of the remaining epitaphs, archaeology analysis and relies preserved in My Son and some domestic museums such as Danang Cham museum, Ho Chi Minh historical museum sufficiently make us dramatically admire the art of architecture and sculpture of the ancient Champa people. Especially, up to now, the technic of sticking building materials without any mortar in construction of temple towers in My Son still a secret stimulating fondness for curiosity, discovery and research of scientists as well as of everyone.
Although My Son is not as majestic and spectacular as Angkor ( Cambodia), Pagan (Myanma), Borobudua ( Indonesia)..., My Son possesses an important role in South East Asia’s civilisation of art. In December 1999, Hoi An ancient town along with My Son were recognised as the world cultural heritages by UNESCO. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and researchers visit My Son every year.
