The My Son World Heritage Site, one of the architectural wonders of the Champa culture, has been given a new lease of life thanks to a conservation and restoration project jointly implemented by the governments of Vietnam and India. Through this cooperation program, towers A, H, and K at My Son have been preserved and restored for more than six years under the guidance of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India and a team of Vietnamese experts. Each step of the restoration demonstrates the delicacy and dedication to restore and preserve the original features of these ancient structures.
On December 20, 2022, the project closing and handover ceremony took place at My Son, Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, with the participation of Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of India to Vietnam Subhash P Gupta and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam Province Tran Van Tan. At this event, representatives from the two governments highly appreciated the project results, considering it not only an achievement in heritage conservation but also a vivid evidence of the Vietnam-India friendship, a lasting and profound relationship.
The restoration project has brought many important cultural values. More than 734 unique artifacts, especially the largest monolithic Linga-Yoni set of Champa culture, have been found. Discovered inside the A10 tower, this sandstone altar set has attracted the attention of experts and is in the process of being considered for recognition as a National Treasure. This not only helps preserve historical values but also creates unique cultural highlights, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and explore the mysterious Champa civilization.
From a management perspective, Mr. Phan Ho, Director of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board, commented that the project has contributed to restoring the temple towers that were deteriorating, bringing new life to these ancient architectures. Through the conservation process, the team of Vietnamese experts and local workers have also improved their capacity and developed their heritage restoration skills, meeting the high requirements for relic conservation in a modern environment.
Deputy Ambassador Subhash P Gupta stressed that the project is not just about conservation but also about a strong connection between the two countries. This achievement is a testament to 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 about the important role of cultural preservation.
According to Vice Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee Tran Van Tan, this project is a solid foundation for future restoration plans at My Son. Restoring the architectural space is not only about preserving the original state, but also aiming for a sustainable goal for the future. The project also creates momentum for tourism development, making My Son a more attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Statistics show that in 2022, My Son relic site welcomed more than 105,000 visitors, far exceeding initial expectations. This is a positive sign showing the great tourism potential of this complex when properly restored and restored.
With the success of the project, the People's Committee of Quang Nam province has accepted the results and assigned the My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board and Duy Xuyen District People's Committee to continue to maintain and preserve the newly restored values. Along with that, it is expanding cooperation in the future, aiming at the next restoration projects for other groups of towers in the area.
The cooperation between Vietnam and India in the conservation of cultural heritage does not stop at the high efficiency of restoration, but also creates a strong mark in the bilateral relationship. My Son heritage is a witness of the ancient Champa culture and a symbol of friendship, where the two nations preserve and promote long-standing cultural values, so that these priceless heritages will last forever.
Hoang Anh
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