World Heritage Identification Number: 949
World Heritage since: 1999
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Archaeological Sites
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇻🇳 Viet Nam
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Exploring the Ancient My Son Sanctuary: A Remarkable Testimony of the Champa Kingdom's Cultural Legacy
The My Son Sanctuary, nestled within the verdant hills of Quang Nam Province in Central Vietnam, stands as a captivating testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Champa Kingdom. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, this remarkable collection of abandoned and partially ruined Shaiva Hindu temples offers visitors a glimpse into the spiritual and political heart of the ancient Champa civilization.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Between the 4th and 13th centuries a unique culture which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism developed on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): The My Son Sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with an indigenous society adapting to external cultural influences, notably the Hindu art and architecture of the Indian sub-continent.
Criterion (iii): The Champa Kingdom was an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of South – East Asia, vividly illustrated by the ruins of My Son.
Encyclopedia Record: Mỹ Sơn
Mỹ Sơn is a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Shaiva Hindu temples in central Vietnam, constructed between the 4th and the 13th century by the Kings of Champa, an Indianized kingdom of the Cham people. The temples are dedicated to the veneration of God in accordance with Shaivism, wherein God is named Shiva, or The Auspicious One. In this particular complex, he is venerated under various local names, the most important of which is Bhadreshvara.Additional Site Details
Area: 142 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
Coordinates: 15.773843 , 108.109169
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of My Son Sanctuary from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Heritage Education for Conservation: A New Perspective from the My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam
A new 'Heritage Education for Conservation' model emerges as a promising strategy for sustainable preservation, demonstrated through the case of My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam. This approach integrates historical, cultural, and architectural education to address existing threats while fostering community engagement, individual responsibility, and deeper emotional connections to heritage. By combining knowledge dissemination with active participation, it aims to raise awareness, promote conservation behaviors, and cultivate a resilient local community dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage. The model offers a practical framework for balancing educational outreach with tangible conservation outcomes.
Trong, D. V., & Trinh, N. T. K. (2025). Heritage Education for Conservation: A New Perspective from the My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam. Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, 1867–1872. https://doi.org/10.64753/jcasc.v10i2.1882
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Initial Recognition Results of Species Composition and Characteristics of Harmful Organisms at My Son Sanctuary Heritage Area
A three-year survey (2012–2014) at My Son Sanctuary identified 50 harmful species, including termites, vertebrates, fungi, and plants, with fungi (Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Penicillium) causing the most significant damage to the heritage towers, particularly in Towers C, B, D, and A. Among plant species, four—Bidens pilosa L., Tectaria zeylanica, Hedyotis diffusa Willd, and Selphinella delicatula—were found invading all towers. While termite damage was minimal, six vertebrate species (66.7%) also posed light harm. The study highlights these pests as priority targets for conservation efforts to mitigate structural risks.
Huy, N. Q. (2017). Initial Recognition Results of Species Composition and Characteristics of Harmful Organisms at My Son Sanctuary Heritage Area. VNU Journal of Science: Natural Sciences and Technology, 33(4). https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1140/vnunst.4684
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Preliminary Data to Composition of Zooplankton in the Khe The Stream, My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam Province
A study of the zooplankton composition in the Khe The Stream, My Son Sanctuary, revealed 36 species, with Rotatoria dominating at 55.6% and Arthropoda accounting for 44.4%. Zooplankton density varied significantly between seasons, averaging 11,945 individuals/m³ during the dry season (ranging from 5,000 to 25,000) and 8,500 individuals/m³ in the rainy season (ranging from 5,000 to 16,667). The Shannon-Weiner diversity index also showed seasonal variation, averaging 1.84 in the dry season and 1.66 in the rainy season. The research, conducted over two periods in 2016, provides preliminary data on the biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's aquatic ecosystem.
Nam, N. X. (2017). Preliminary Data to Composition of Zooplankton in the Khe The Stream, My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam Province. VNU Journal of Science: Natural Sciences and Technology, 33(4). https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1140/vnunst.4687
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The study of water bug fauna (Insecta: Hemiptera) in My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam Province
A comprehensive inventory of water bug fauna (Insecta: Hemiptera) in My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, identified 36 species across 13 families. The study, conducted along Khe The stream in 2016 and 2017, highlights the dominance of Gerridae with 14 species, followed by Veliidae (4 species), and Nepidae/Naucoridae (3 species each). This baseline data aims to support ecological and irrigation conservation models for the sanctuary, addressing ongoing human impacts. The findings mark the first detailed documentation of water bug diversity in this culturally significant area, providing critical insights for ecosystem-based preservation strategies.
Thi Dao, C., Thi Anh Nguyet, N., & Anh Duc, T. (2017). The study of water bug fauna (Insecta: Hemiptera) in My Son Sanctuary, Quang Nam Province. VNU Journal of Science: Natural Sciences and Technology, 33(1S). https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1140/vnunst.4557
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