INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WORKING SIDE BY SIDE
The My Son Cham site is recognized as a remarkable example of cultural syncretism and unique evidence of a lost, important Asian civilization. Specifically, according to criterion ii: the My Son temple complex is a prime example of cultural exchange, with the integration of external influences, particularly Indian art and architecture from the Indian subcontinent, into the local culture. According to criterion iii: the My Son temple complex vividly reflects the role of the Champa kingdom in the political history and culture of Southeast Asia.
My Son. PHOTO: MY SON HERITAGE MANAGEMENT BOARD
For many years, even before My Son was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, archaeological excavations and conservation efforts were assisted by numerous international experts. Following this recognition, conservation efforts intensified, with even more foreign experts working alongside the team. Notable projects include the restoration of the G tower group, a collaborative program between the Italian government, UNESCO, and Vietnam; the restoration of tower E7 by the Institute of Conservation of Monuments from 2011-2015; the conservation and restoration project of the A, H, and K temple groups funded by the Indian government from 2016-2022; and the construction of a research and exhibition center for My Son, funded by Japan in 2005.
Archaeological excavations have also yielded many valuable discoveries. In 2020, a pair of linga-yoni altars were found. Prior to that, research from the early 20th century by French archaeologist Henri Parmentier had already shown the existence of these artifacts. He even published images and drawings from 1918. Therefore, the discovery of the altars in 2020 can be considered a rediscovery, and the altars were subsequently recognized as National Treasures.
However, My Son has also been subjected to damage, specifically the 2013 case of the damage to the ancient Khe The stream. According to the map by researcher H. Parmentier, the stream flows through the middle of the My Son valley and branches out into many streams. This stream is considered sacred, and according to government planning, it needs to be shaped using biological methods and absolutely not hardened. The Khe The case shows that strict monitoring of heritage sites is always necessary.
Dream of the Heritage Route
Besides its rich system of temples and towers, My Son also possesses another equally valuable asset. The My Son World Heritage Management Board states that the tropical forest surrounding the My Son site is not only a green lung but also a treasure trove of many valuable biological resources. The My Son Special Use Forest, covering 1,158 hectares, is home to 238 plant species and 607 animal species, including many rare species listed in the Vietnamese Red Book and the IUCN Red Book. A tour exploring the forest combined with a visit to My Son is a promising product, but it requires guides knowledgeable about the ecosystem, rather than allowing visitors to come, climb, and return on their own, as has been the case for many years.
Precious altar found at My Son. PHOTO: MANH CUONG
Currently, My Son aims to welcome 474,000 visitors by 2025. Therefore, in addition to promoting the restoration of ancient architectural complexes destroyed by war, aiming to return them to their original beauty and splendor with invaluable historical and artistic values, the My Son World Heritage Management Board has collaborated with many organizations to promote the site. Art performances, the development of experiential bicycle tours, promotional programs, and improvements in service quality are some of the programs being designed. The launch of an automated multilingual audio guide system with 40 stories in 4 languages (English, French, Korean, and Vietnamese) via QR code or headphones is a significant step in the digital transformation, helping visitors proactively access information.
Nevertheless, an anonymous Champa researcher stated that My Son is currently severely lacking specialized "guides"—experts capable of guiding highly knowledgeable and affluent visitors. "Previously, there were groups of European tourists who needed such specialized guides, and there were experts who could provide that service. However, in recent years, as the experts have aged, finding such high-level guides has become much more difficult," he shared.
Recently, the former Quang Nam province announced the "Hoi An - My Son - Dong Giang Heaven's Gate Heritage Route," the first official intra-provincial tourism route connecting tourism centers with the western and southern regions of the province, and further connecting with domestic and regional tourism centers.
A leader of the My Son World Heritage Management Board suggested that for My Son to truly take off, a comprehensive management and development strategy is needed. Besides restoration to revive the entire site, focus should be placed on connecting My Son with other tourist tours in the region. This should include developing an idea for a heritage route connecting famous heritage sites in Central Vietnam.
This heritage route is not simply about connecting destinations on a map, but about building a cohesive narrative, a journey to explore the cultural and historical depth of Central Vietnam. Tours can be specially designed, with premium experience packages…
Initially, with the merger of Quang Nam and Da Nang, many people are thinking about tours that combine exploring Champa culture and the system of Champa relics. For example, tours linking Tra Kieu with the Sa Huynh Champa Culture Museum, then traversing the My Son forest to the Tay Vien hot springs… It's also possible to link the Champa Museum with Champa temples and My Son… However, in addition to the existing multilingual automated guides, more stories need to be updated regularly. ( to be continued )
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/danh-thuc-vien-ngoc-co-don-my-son-185250904223446212.htm
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