Announcing architectural details of the sacred pathway at My Son Sanctuary.

VHO - On the afternoon of December 12th, the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board (My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board) held a workshop to report on the results of archaeological excavation and research on the access road to the east of Tower K leading into the My Son sanctuary.

In accordance with Decision No. 2104/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 23, 2025, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on archaeological exploration and excavation and the 2025 work program, from the beginning of July 2025 to the present, the My Son World Heritage Site Management Board has coordinated with the Institute of Archaeology to carry out archaeological exploration and excavation in the area between Tower K and the central group of towers in the My Son temple complex (Thu Bon commune, Da Nang city).

The excavations from July to November 2025 have uncovered more valuable traces, gradually clarifying the sacred path at the My Son sanctuary in history.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), relevant departments and agencies, representatives of the local government, and scientists interested in the My Son heritage site.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, Deputy Director in charge of the My Son World Heritage Site Management Board, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Van Doanh, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), co-chaired the meeting.

Archaeological excavation work is underway in the area east of Tower K.

Prior to this excavation, the My Son Management Board, in coordination with the Institute of Archaeology, conducted exploratory excavations of an area of ​​20m² ^around Tower K (in 2023); and archaeological exploration and excavation of 220m² ⁱⁿ the area east of Tower K to clarify a section of the architectural pathway leading from Tower K to the center of the My Son Sanctuary (in 2024).

Based on the survey and excavation results from 2023-2024, it has been possible to definitively determine the structure of the road leading from Tower K to the dry stream area to the east - approximately 150m from Tower K.

According to experts, this is a sacred road – a path leading deities, kings, and Brahmin priests into the sacred space of the My Son Sanctuary in the 12th century, which is being discovered for the first time by domestic and international archaeological and historical researchers.

Research conducted in the area around Tower K during two surveys in 2023 and 2024 has revealed traces of architectural structures previously unknown in the history of My Son.

To continue researching and clarifying the architectural ruins of the path from Tower K to the My Son Sanctuary, from July 2025 to the present, the My Son World Heritage Management Board and the Institute of Archaeology have continued to cooperate in conducting archaeological exploration and excavation with a total area of ​​770m² ^. This includes an excavation area of ​​750m² ⁽ 10 x 75m) located to the east of the 2024 excavation pit; and five exploratory pits with a total area of ^​​20m² .

This excavation revealed a 75-meter-long section of the eastern access road to Tower K, oriented east-west with an angle of 45 degrees north.

Reporting on the excavation results, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy, from the Institute of Archaeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), who led the road excavation project, stated that this excavation uncovered a 75-meter-long section of the road leading east of Tower K, oriented east-west with an angle of 45 degrees to the north. This result has increased the total area of ​​the road that has been identified from the base of the tower to 132 meters.

Further examination of the remaining traces on the northern and southern boundary walls reveals that the northern wall was built continuously and had a higher foundation; the southern wall was situated on lower terrain and had gates/entrances at several fixed locations.

The excavation process also identified a total of five locations where gates were placed on the southern boundary wall. At the gate locations, there were traces of stone gate beams with square mortise holes for supporting stone pillars and round mortise holes for supporting the rotating pillars of the gate. These may have been gates leading to/from the sacred space outside the road.

Besides the widespread presence of bricks and stones used in the construction of the pathway, the excavation uncovered several fragments of earthenware and glazed pottery dating from the 10th to the 12th centuries.

Based on archaeological evidence and expert analysis, it can be confirmed that this is the sacred path leading to the My Son relic site.

The results of the 2025 survey and excavation have added valuable documents confirming the religious function of the ruins as a sacred path – a path leading deities, kings, and Brahmin priests into the sacred space of My Son Sanctuary around the 11th-12th centuries.

Preliminary comparative studies also note that the sacred road or ceremonial road related to Hindu rituals recently discovered at the My Son site is unique within the Champa cultural heritage system, distinct from other sites because it is a road leading into a complex of relics. In other sites, the roads are designed along a straight axis from the outside to the central temple tower.

Speaking at the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Van Doanh affirmed that since the French discovered the My Son temple complex in the late 19th century, the discovery of the sacred road leading into the My Son relic site is the greatest archaeological event in modern Vietnam.

The uniqueness of the road lies not only in the type of architectural monuments but also in the location where the road leads to the temple complexes. These are things that, for various reasons, French researchers were previously unaware of.

In addition, the discovery of five door frame locations on the right side of the road boundary wall raises many interesting issues that require further research.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, Deputy Director in charge of the My Son World Heritage Management Board, said that in the coming time, the Management Board and the Institute of Archaeology will continue to develop a cooperation program to clarify the scale, structure, and appearance of the entire road within the overall context of the My Son relic site; urgently carry out restoration and preservation work to better promote the historical and cultural value of the relic; and organize transportation for tourists along the heritage road left by the Cham people, helping tourists have a clearer view of the My Son Sanctuary and Cham culture in history.             

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/cong-bo-thong-tin-kien-truc-con-duong-thieng-tai-thanh-dia-my-son-187879.html