My Son Cham Temples, Hoi An

My Son is a cluster of approximately 70 abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples located near the village of Duy Phú in Central Vietnam, approximately 69 kilometers southwest of the city of Da Nang. The temples are located in a valley roughly two kilometers wide, surrounded by two mountain ranges.

From the 4th to the 14th century AD, the valley at My Son was a site of religious ceremonies for kings of the ruling dynasties of Champa, as well as a burial place for Cham royalty and national heroes. The temples are dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva, known under various local names, the most important of which is "Bhadresvara."

My Son was closely associated with the nearby Cham cities of Indrapura and Simhapura. It is perhaps the longest inhabited archaeological site in Indochina and is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's foremost Hindu temple complexes. As of 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Sadly, bombing during the Vietnam War destroyed a large majority of its architecture.