My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has been implementing a major project to preserve MySon heritage site in the central province of Quang Nam after the ancientreligious relic was recognised as a World Heritage site in 1999.
In2008, then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved the project to conserve therelic in an area of 11,160ha in 2008-2020, aiming for sustainable conservationof the relic in line with the country’s development.
Theproject comprises two phases. The first, implemented from 2010 to 2016, aimedto collect scientific data, clear all remains of bombs and chemical toxins leftin the area as consequences of war, as well as improve infrastructure andrecover the local forest. The second phase to restore highly-collapsible relicsbegan in 2016.
Once the religious andpolitical capital of the Champa Kingdom, My Son relic site is located in ahilly landscape in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, about 70 km southwestof Da Nang city and 40 km from Hoi An city.
It comprises eight groups of 71 monument builtthroughout the 7th -13th centuries.
The temples in My Son werebuilt into groups that basically followed the same model. Each group wascomprised of a main sanctuary (Kalan), surrounded by towers and auxiliarymonuments. The towers, topped with tiled, covered roofs, were stocked withofferings and sacred objects of the pilgrims. Cham temples do not have windows,so they are very dark inside. Windows are found only in the towers.
However, there were only about 20 towers remaining.
QuangNam province has focused on protecting the historical and cultural values of therelic, with programmes re-enacting ancient Cham people’s festivals in the MySon Sanctuary will be held soon. In addition, local authorities have bannedgas-powered vehicles in the 320-ha core area of the site.
Apartfrom activities to conserve the heritage, the My Son World Heritage siteManagement Board has made forest protection an important task. It hasestablished guard units and procured equipment to prevent forest fires, while tacklingpoaching.
Indigenousplants have also been planted to increase forest coverage and preserve valuablebreeds.
Toraise the efficiency of forest protection, the management board devisedmeasures to enhance forest posts and patrol units along with communicationcampaigns to raise awareness about environmental protection and forestmanagement.-VNA
