Heritage•18/05/2026As the morning mist still lingers over the valley and the first rays of sunlight gently touch the ancient brick walls, My Son emerges as a realm of memories. There, every inch of land, every stone, seems to bear the marks of time. Amidst the solemn temples and towers, the breath of a once glorious civilization still seems to linger.
The temple stands silently in the early morning sun.
Sanctuary of the gods
The road leading to My Son opens into a secluded valley, surrounded by rolling mountains. In this tranquil setting, the sacred site appears profound and mysterious. For nearly nine centuries, from the 4th to the 13th centuries, it was the most important religious center of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Today, amidst the green mountains and forests, dozens of remaining temples and towers, along with the surrounding walls and many preserved artifacts, are still enough to guide visitors into a unique architectural and religious space of Southeast Asia.
Compared to massive complexes like Angkor, the My Son temple complex is relatively modest. But it is precisely this restraint that highlights the depth of thought and the refined technical skill of the Champa people. The tower groups are arranged tightly according to a ritual structure: the main temple (Kalan) in the center, with its entrance facing east – the direction of the gods; in front is the gate tower (Gopura), followed by the Mandapa – the place of worship and sacred dances.
My Son is a place that attracts many international tourists.
A stroll through My Son is also a journey into the treasure trove of Champa sculpture. Thousands of artifacts made of sandstone, terracotta, and pottery are still displayed among the temples and at the My Son Museum. In particular, the A10 altar – one of the National Treasures originating from My Son – is a rare artifact that remains relatively intact and is placed within the sacred atmosphere of the A10 temple.
The harmonious blend of nature and belief makes My Son not just a man-made structure, but an integral part of the cosmic order in the Champa worldview . The reliefs, statues of gods, dancers, patterns, and mythical creatures on the ancient bricks show that the ancient people were not in opposition to nature, but lived in harmony with it. The Champa dances of today are not merely a reenactment, but a continuation of an unbroken cultural lifeline.
My Son Night – A legend awakens in the sacred valley.
If during the day the sacred site appears as an open-air museum of Champa memory, at night it becomes more mystical. Light recedes from the ancient brick walls, the mountains and forests close in, and the valley returns to its pristine rhythm. In the darkness, the ancient towers are no longer objects of visual admiration, but become spaces for intuitive and emotional perception.
Apsara dance by the ancient tower as the sun sets.
Darkness enveloped the temples like a ceremonial veil. The wind rustled through the gaps in the towers, creating a low, steady sound reminiscent of ancient chanting. The thousand-year-old structures appeared hazy in the restrained light, both real and unreal, as if whispering the story of a civilization that had faded away but never truly disappeared.
The nocturnal beauty of the historical site unfolds for visitors through unique cultural experiences. Artistic performances such as " Legendary My Son Night" recreate aspects of the ritual and spiritual life of the ancients. There, Apsara dancers appear vibrant and graceful, as if stepping out of a dream. In that moment, architecture, music, dance, and light blend together, bringing the sacred site back to life with a new rhythm – both ancient and contemporary.
In that space, we suddenly realize that My Son is not just a UNESCO-listed heritage site, but a place of profound encounter with cultural memory through the miraculous ability of art to preserve the spirit of a civilization.
Article by: Ha Xuyen Khe
Photo: Nguyen Sanh Quoc Huydi
Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/my-son-thung-lung-thoi-gian/
