My Son Heritage Site - Some Issues in Conservation and Heritage Value Enhancement

NGUYguyễn Văn Mạnh

This paper reviews and analyses archaeological results at the My Son Temple Complex during 2003–2025, thereby clarifying the spatial scale and challenges in heritage conservation work. From an archaeological perspective, excavations at temple groups F, D, L and the Twin House (Nhà Đôi) area have provided new insights into sacred pit structures and overlapping architectural layers from the 8th–13th centuries. Most notably is the discovery of a "sacred road" leading from tower K to the sanctuary centre. This vestige demonstrates systematic overall planning that strictly adheres to Hindu standards, confirming My Son as a unified architectural entity that is more extensive than its current state. Regarding conservation work, the study evaluates current response models (restoration, burial conservation, shelter houses) and identifies the core challenge lying in "underground water drainage" issues and the physico-chemical transformation of materials. Cham bricks, with their characteristics of low-temperature firing and high porosity, are susceptible to environmental "shock," leading to salinization and surface deterioration when transitioning from their equilibrium state underground to direct exposure to harsh climatic conditions. The author affirms that archaeology must be integrated with restoration projects, accompanied by comprehensive environmental impact assessments to ensure authenticity for the monuments. Simultaneously, the article proposes value enhancement directions through landscape space development, exhibition and cultural interpretation serving research and education purposes.