A Co Tu ethnic art troupe from Dong Giang Heaven Gate Tourism Area performs in My Son. Photo: Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre
Just a short drive from Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary is one of central Vietnam’s best-known heritage sites. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to ancient Cham tower temples dating from the 4th to 13th centuries, set in a valley surrounded by mountains.
On Friday morning, the management board of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site launched the 'Green My Son - A Journey Through Culture and Nature' program in Thu Bon Commune, Da Nang City, central Vietnam.
The program introduced a range of new experiences, including botanical and medicinal plant gardens beneath the forest canopy, traditional craft activities, Cham musical instruments and herbal foot soaks.
On its first morning, tour operators brought visitors to the new attractions.
Alongside its longstanding offerings, My Son also drew attention with Co Tu ethnic performances, traditional craft workshops and local specialties.
New experiences await visitors to My Son
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Truong Thi Hong Hanh, director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that beyond its distinctive cultural and historical values, My Son also boasts a rich, lush and vibrant natural environment.
According to Hanh, the interplay between cultural heritage and nature has given My Son a character of its own.
Visitors can not only explore the site and learn about its history, but also immerse themselves in nature, discover its ecosystem and gain a deeper appreciation of the area’s beauty.
Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Director (holding a ceramic jar) at the launch of new tourism products in My Son on September 25. Photo: Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre
According to the management board of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site, the 'Green My Son' program aims to promote green and responsible tourism while strengthening connections between the UNESCO-listed My Son cultural heritage site, Cham culture, and the area’s special-use forest ecosystem and biodiversity.
The program’s new feature is the addition of experiences beyond the usual tour of the ancient tower complex.
Visitors flock to My Son on the first day of the program. Photo: Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre
My Son offers more than Cham towers
Introducing the new experiences at My Son, Nguyen Cong Khiet, director of the management board of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site, said one of the services visitors have been looking forward to is the botanical and medicinal plant garden beneath the forest canopy.
The area has been developed along the visitor route between Tower K and Towers E and F, showcasing native and medicinal plants that hold significance in Cham life, while also providing information about the special-use forest ecosystem and local biodiversity.
At the Twin House Experience Zone, visitors can learn about and try their hand at traditional crafts, including Cham pottery making, brocade weaving, conical hat making, agarwood crafting, and wood and stone carving.
A Co Tu ethnic art troupe poses for a group photo with visitors, officials and representatives of tour companies. Photo: Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre
The area also offers herbal foot soaks beneath the forest canopy, using locally sourced medicinal plants.
Meanwhile, the Lotus Lake - Tower H slope area has been set up as a space for Cham musical performances and displays.
Visitors can see cultural artifacts, musical instruments, traditional costumes, photographs and other materials related to Cham culture, while enjoying Cham folk songs, Ginang and Paranung drums, Saranai horns and traditional Cham dances.
Visitors can also try playing the instruments themselves, put on Cham traditional costumes and join activities with local folk artisans.
A Champa artisan demonstrates traditional handicraft-making. Photo: Ba Dung / Tuoi Tre
My Son was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999.
The temple complex was built by the Champa kingdoms from the 4th century and continued to be constructed and restored through the 13th century.
More than 70 structures are spread across a valley surrounded by mountains and hills.
The heritage site now welcomes more than 450,000 visitors a year.
As visitor numbers grow, a longstanding challenge is how to develop tourism without placing additional pressure on the historic monuments and the surrounding special-use forest ecosystem.
According to Nguyen Cong Khiet, the 'Green My Son' program is expected not only to add more experiences for visitors, but also to offer a different way of engaging with the heritage site, moving beyond the ancient towers to explore the forest, medicinal plants, traditional crafts, music and community culture.
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