My Son Monument Restoration Project with Support from India

The My Son World Heritage Site, one of the architectural wonders of the Champa culture, has received a new lease of life thanks to a conservation and restoration project jointly undertaken by the Vietnamese and Indian governments. Through this cooperation program, the A, H, and K tower complexes at My Son have been preserved and restored over six years under the guidance of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India and a team of Vietnamese experts. Each restoration step reflects meticulousness and dedication aimed at restoring and preserving the unique characteristics of these ancient structures.

On December 20, 2022, the closing ceremony and handover of the project took place in My Son, Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, with the participation of the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of India to Vietnam, Subhash P Gupta, and the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province, Tran Van Tan. At this event, representatives from the governments of both countries highly appreciated the project's results, viewing it not only as an achievement in heritage preservation but also as vivid evidence of the Vietnam-India friendship, a sustainable and profound relationship.

The restoration project has yielded many important cultural values. More than 734 unique artifacts, especially the largest monolithic Linga-Yoni set of the Champa culture, have been discovered. Found inside Tower A10, this sandstone altar set has attracted the attention of experts and is currently under consideration for recognition as a National Treasure. This will both preserve historical value and create distinctive cultural highlights, attracting numerous tourists to visit and explore the mysterious Champa civilization.

The restoration of Tower K is being carried out under the guidance and supervision of Indian experts. Photo: Doan Huu Trung (VNA)

From a management perspective, Mr. Phan Ho, Director of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board, noted that the project has contributed to restoring the dilapidated temple complexes, breathing new life into these ancient structures. Through the conservation process, Vietnamese experts and local workers have also improved their capabilities and developed their heritage restoration skills, meeting the high demands of monument preservation in a modern environment.

Deputy Ambassador Subhash P Gupta emphasized that the project is not simply about preservation but also about strengthening the connection between the two countries. This achievement demonstrates the solidarity, as well as the effective and friendly cooperation between Vietnam and India, contributing to preserving the unique value of the heritage and raising public awareness of the important role in cultural preservation.

Indian Deputy Ambassador Subhash P Gupta speaks at the handover ceremony of the My Son World Heritage restoration project. Photo: Baotintuc

According to Tran Van Tan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee, this project is a solid foundation for subsequent restoration plans at My Son. The restoration of the architectural space is not only about preserving the original state, but also aims for sustainable future development. The project also creates momentum for tourism development, making My Son a more attractive destination for domestic and international tourists. Statistics show that in 2022, the My Son historical site welcomed over 105,000 visitors, far exceeding initial expectations. This is a positive sign indicating the great tourism potential of this complex when properly restored and renovated.

Following the project's success, the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee accepted the results and assigned the My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board and the Duy Xuyen District People's Committee to continue maintaining and preserving the restored values. They also agreed to expand future cooperation, aiming for further restoration projects for other tower groups in the area.

The cooperation between Vietnam and India in the preservation of cultural heritage has not only yielded highly effective restoration results but has also left a profound mark on bilateral relations. The My Son Sanctuary is a witness to the ancient Champa culture and a symbol of friendship, where the two nations jointly preserve and promote their long-standing cultural values, ensuring that these invaluable legacies endure through time.

Hoang Anh