Indian experts in Quang Nam rebuild two ancient towers at My Son Heritage, a project worth nearly 5 million USD

The abandoned towers in My Son will be rebuilt - Photo: BD

"The project to preserve the E and F towers of My Son with a total value of 4.852 million USD from non-refundable aid from India has begun implementation.

We hope that in the near future visitors will be able to admire more beautiful towers," said Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, director of the My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on the afternoon of March 20, Mr. Khiet said that Indian experts have begun the first tasks of the project that will last until 2029 to rebuild towers E and F.

"Over the years we have tried to cover and preserve ancient architectural works as best as possible while waiting for restoration projects to restart.

Currently, experts have begun to clean up and scientifically peel off the area around towers E and F. The restoration will be done urgently, starting from tower F1 in tower group F," said Mr. Khiet.

Visitors to My Son will have the opportunity to witness the "revival" of one of humanity's precious spiritual architectural works - as My Son has done very successfully in the past.

According to Mr. Khiet, Quang Nam province, the cultural sector and the My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board are creating the best conditions for experts to live, eat and work.

Once the restoration of the next two groups of ancient towers is completed, My Son will come alive and attract more tourists.

Tower F (with roof) will be renovated and completed in 2029 - Photo: BD

Nearly 5 million USD to rebuild two groups of ancient towers

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam, from ruins, My Son has undergone a miraculous revival thanks to restoration efforts from domestic and foreign experts.

From the beginning of February 2025, the project to restore tower groups E and F began. These are two tower groups that play a special role in the complex of ancient architectural works. Time and the impact of war have caused these two tower groups to deteriorate very badly.

Towers E and F are located close to each other. Towers E have eight structures (including E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8). Apart from tower E7 which has been renovated (from 2011 to 2013), most of the remaining structures in towers E are severely damaged.

Meanwhile, tower group F consists of three structures: F1, F2 and F3. Tower F3 has collapsed and disappeared (currently its location is only known through a diagram); towers F1 and F2 are also seriously deteriorating.

My Son Center seen from above - Photo: BD

Most worrying is that Tower F1, excavated in 2003, still shows no signs of restoration. The tower is currently covered on the surface. The walls are cracked, the bricks are faded and there are signs of mortar crumbling.

The My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board has spent a lot of money and effort to reinforce and preserve the current state as much as possible, waiting for the next restoration projects. Wall sections at high risk of collapsing have been supported by iron bars; some small detailed corner edges are at risk of being separated from the larger block...

20 years of spectacular revival of My Son World Heritage

The My Son restoration project began in 2014 with the aim of reviving the ancient architectural complex. From 2017 to 2022, the Indian Government funded 55 billion VND to restore towers K, H, A.

The restoration process collected 734 artifacts of various types, and discovered the largest monolithic Linga - Yoni altar in Vietnam, the A10 tower. In 2022, this altar was recognized as a national treasure.

In 2024, scientists also announced a Shinto path at the K tower area, this information surprised the archaeology community.

In 2020, the Government of India continued to agree to fund the "Project to preserve and promote the value of the Dong Duong Buddhist Temple relic site (Thang Binh) and the F tower group in My Son". This is the basis for implementing the tasks from now until 2029.

Special priority

The My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board said that in addition to the team of experts, a force of skilled workers around My Son are contributing greatly to rebuilding the towers.

The only source of bricks used to restore the towers in My Son is a local artisan. However, this artisan's handmade brick kiln is scheduled to be relocated to a residential area.

"We hope that the authorities will create conditions to arrange a new kiln at the location of this artisan in My Son, Duy Phu commune (1km from My Son) to fire bricks for the project until the end of the restoration," said Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet.

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