My Son is a complex of Hindu temples in Southeast Asia, considered to be one of the oldest in the continent and a one-of-a-kind sight in Vietnam. Its sandstone exhibits and statues are just some of the reflections of a spiritual India culture.

According to history, My Son used to be a burial place and a ceremonial site for the religious activities of the Cham royalty. The first temple in the complex was said to be built in the sixth century. But a big fire destroyed the whole structure and new temples had to be built to make My Son an original architectural complex. Each temple is unique from each other and has its own “mysterious” exterior.

That is, the red bricks used to build the temples remain unexplained as to how they were made, and even more so, what construction techniques Cham builders applied since the structure were erected sans adhesives.The relics at My Son were made during the reign of King Bhadravarman I (380-413 AD). A temple was built to worship Shiva in the form of Lingam, translated as the God of Rebirth. Even today, this statue, along with the figures of Yoni, Nadin and Apsara, still exist in the temple. This religious culture of India can also be found in the old written records in Sanskrit.

In each cluster in the My Son complex, certain structures are a constant fixture. The temple of Kalan is always present, surrounded by the statues of Lingam, Yoni and Shiva. Gopura is the entrance gate-tower situated at the front of the complex, while Mandapa is a vestibule for public rituals. The God of Wealth Kubera is placed beside the vestibule, facing North. It consists of one to two halls containing offerings to worship the gods.

The main entrance gates of all temples are strategically placed facing East wherein the sunshine can enter completely. Each temple is pyramid-shaped, the symbol of Lord Meru, home of the Hindu gods.Though My Son is generally a Hindu place of worship, some signs of Buddhism can also be found in the complex. This is because in the 10th century, Buddhism actually became the primary religion of the Cham people. And with mountain ranges, a lush forest, and fresh air surrounding the place, one will definitely find peace in My Son.