Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn, Quảng Nam

Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn, located in Duy Phú Commune, Duy Xuyên District, Quảng Nam Province, is considered one of Southeast Asia's principal Hindu temple complexes and has been recognized by UNESCO as a modern World Heritage Site. This fascinating tourist attraction is ideal for history lovers, with spectacular architecture among the glorious ancient ruins left by the former Champa kings.

The complex was built between the 4th and 14th centuries AD. Its structures were made from fired bricks, sandstone reliefs and stone columns, joined together with a bonding material that remains unidentified today. The temples were built to worship the Hindu god Shiva. However, following the conquest by the ancient kingdom of Đại Việt, the temples were abandoned and rediscovered in 1889 by a group of French explorers. Excavation began in 1903, with as many as 71 structures found and restored. Unfortunately, most of the Mỹ Sơn complex was destroyed during the war when American forces bombed Vietnam.