The sanctuary of My Son is a unique site in Vietnam, located about 40 kilometres from Hoi An, the city of lanterns. This archaeological site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and includes a group of Cham temples with spiritual values close to Hinduism. My Son in Vietnam was founded in the 4th century by Emperor Bhadravarman, the temples have been built continuously for nearly ten centuries. Over time, the sanctuary of My Son became a religious and political centre until it was transformed into the capital of the kingdom of Champa.
The best season to visit My Son in Vietnam is between March and September, travellers can enjoy the dry season with warmer temperatures.
The sanctuary of My Son was one of the first Cham sites that were established in Vietnam. This archaeological site has gone through different historical events. At the beginning of its existence, it was invaded and stripped by the Chinese. It was then occupied by the Cham for nearly 1000 years. It thus became the religious and political capital of the Champa kingdom, a state of culture with Hindu influences. Legend has it that the Chams arrived by land from China, but researchers have shown that they eventually arrived by sea and originated from Indonesia and Malaysia. The Chams were divided into four castes and made trade and piracy their main activities. Today, they are one of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups and the rest of the community lives in other Asian countries such as Laos, Malaysia and Cambodia.
On the site of My Son in Vietnam, many temples have been built and are mostly dedicated to Hindu gods such as Shiva, Brahma and Visnu, Hinduism was the main religion of belief of the Cham people. You will notice many representations of these deities during your visit to this unique site. These temples are remarkable for their atypical architecture, they are built in the shape of a tower and with red bricks. Today, many of these temples have been destroyed by wars and you can only observe the ruins of about ten of the seventy buildings that made up the ancient capital of the kingdom of Champa.
You can visit the ruins during a pleasant stroll through the archaeological site of My Son. Opt for a guide if you want to learn more about the history behind the ruins. This visit will delight all fans of history and archaeology.
If you are interested in visiting the My Son Sanctuary on your custom-made trip to Vietnam, talk to your Travel Designer.