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"Discover the artistry of the ancient kingdom of Champa in the My Son Sanctuary"

The My Son Sanctuary overwhelms visitors with its exquisite beauty. Located nearly 70 km from Danang city and 45km from Hoi An’s Old Town, these temples were the religious and cultural hub of the ancient Kingdom of Champa, the capital of which was located nearby. Built between the 4th and 13th centuries, at its peak, the compound contained over 70 temples and the mausoleums of kings and high-ranking priest.

Ancient Cham craftsmen and workers used baked bricks and sandstone to craft a gigantic and unique architectural gem. Until now, the sophistication of the sandstone and brick reliefs carved on site hold researchers enthralled. Scientists remain unsure how the Cham joined their bricks together so securely that they have withstood the test of time.

Deeply influenced by Hinduism, My Son exemplifies the Southeast Asia adaption of Hindu architecture. The compound boasts many architectural flourishes inspired by Buddhism. As of the 10th century,

Mahayana Buddhism exerted a profound impact on the Cham. However, the key objects of worship at My Son were the God Siva and the Linga ( a symbol of Siva) – the patron god of all Champa kings.

Bhadresvara, the founder of the first clan of kings in Amaravati in the late 4th century, was also worshiped here. His cults were combined with the cults of Siva from the mainstream god-king cult of the Champa people.

In the My Son Sanctuary, temple towers are divided into clusters, which correspond with their dates of construction and follow a single rule. Each cluster of temples includes a tower – main hall (Kalan) surrounded by lesser towers or collateral structures. The Main Hall symbolizes Mount Meru, the hub of the universe, a gathering place for deities and the worship hall of Siva. Surrounding temples were dedicated to guardian gods of the heavenly directions. Other buildings included tile-roofed temples where pilgrims prepared and stored their offerings. The main temples have no windows, which are only found in surrounding temples. For centuries, the My Son Sanctuary was forgotten. It was not until the late 19th century that the site was rediscovered and studied. During decades of warfare, many constructions were devastated by bombings. While most of the temples were left in partial ruins, they remain invaluable vestiges of the past and allow us to learn more about the evolution of ancient Champa arts.

The undeniable charm of Champa sculpture and architecture results from various elements. As well as being influenced by Hinduism, local designs and the artist’s creativity combined to create vivid artworks. In 1999, UNESCO registered the My Son Sanctuary Site as a Word Cultural Heritage Site that is typical example of cultural exchanges and the only evidence of a lost Asian civilization. Today, My Son is in no danger of disappearing. This site is a priceless treasure for Vietnam and humankind as a whole.

-Yen Chi -

The 9th Hue Festival 2016 will take place from 29 April to 4 May 2016 with the theme “710th anniversary of Thuan Hoa-Phu Xuan-Thua Thien-Hue; Cultural heritage with integration and development”.

Hue Festival is among the most expected events of this tranquil city. In this special event, a wide variety of traditional activities of Viet Nam such as calligraphy exhibition, kites playing and human chest playing are conducted. Also, re-creations of special events are carried out, such as the occasion of Nguyen Hue’s enthronement and Nguyen Dynasty’s Doctorial examinations, and performances of dance and fireworks are included.

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Exciting programs in Hue Festival 2016 Exciting programs in Hue Festival 2016