About 69 km from the bustling beach city of Da Nang lies the ruins of a temple complex: My Son, the erstwhile religious and cultural center of the Kingdom of Champa. Comparable to sites such as Angkor Wat, My Son is the only place of worship for ancient Hinduism remaining in Vietnam.
Conflicts have taken their toll on My Son. Many formerly-glorious brick structures have been reduced to rubble. The temple complex was where the Kings of Champa built monuments to their lives, their gods, and their deaths. Shiva, the patron of Champa royalty, was principally worshipped here. Much mystery still surrounds the complex, as even their method of construction is not completely understood.
Although the temples are relics of a lost civilization, tourists are highly encouraged to research and follow respectful behavior at My Son, both for the dead and their living Cham descendants. Unlike most Asian places of worship, incense is not allowed here. Visitors should not sit or climb on structures. There isn’t much to see in My Son except ruins, certainly nothing to buy or eat, but a visit is a good occasion to reflect upon the passage of time and the inexorable power of history.
Founder & Photography Guide
Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour
Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.
I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!
