Unraveling the Mysteries of Cham Architecture in My Son

Standing among the ancient towers of My Son Sanctuary, it felt like I was entering a hidden world. The bricks themselves whispered stories of the Champa Kingdom. Like Borobudur in Indonesia or Angkor Wat in Cambodia, My Son is a piece of art (Hindu-inspired), but with its own charm.
What makes Cham architecture so special? Explore the Mysteries of Cham Architecture in My Son with me and VIET DOVE Travel: an adventure through time and brick.

The Symbolism Behind Cham Temple Architecture

When you view the temples from My Son, they appear to be mini mountains. This is intentional, as they are designed to represent Mount Meru, the holy mountain of Hinduism.
At the top of each temple, symbolizing the Meru mountain’s peak, is where their supreme god, Shiva present.
The temples also reflect Hindu beliefs regarding growth. The overall outward appearance of the structure resembles a Linga (male symbol), while the base reflects a Yoni (female symbol).
A My Son sanctuary tour from Hoi An, such as a Private Heritage Journey, is a great option if you want a closer examination of the sacred symbols with a guide at your side.

The Differences Between My Son and Angkor Wat

The most distinguishing feature of My Son, as compared to Angkor Wat, is that the temples are built mostly from brick instead of stone. The Cham even tried building using stone at site B1, but they ran out of stone and moved to brick, which is a much more practical material to work with.
Angkor Wat and Borobudur temples clearly feature one dominant temple tower surrounded by smaller towers. My son's temple heights are different, but not too much. Only Group A follows the central tower style seen in Angkor Wat.
Since My Son was built centuries before Angkor Wat, Most of the architecture at My Son differs significantly.  An Early Explorer's Tour to My Son Sanctuary allows you to note this difference while looking up at the temples in the peaceful morning light.

Cham Construction & Carving Techniques

It's so cool My son's temples, over a thousand years old, are still standing. And we still don't quite understand how the Cham made their bricks!
The Cham used a process whereby they ground the bricks with only enough friction to ensure a 'perfect fit' and bonded them with an organic, natural glue substance.
After the temple was finished, the construction was coated with a protective layer to endure time. If we could learn this secret, we would become millionaires.
What I most admire is the Cham's ability to carve on raw brick. The imagery ranges from Hindu monks to abstract geometric patterns to frames, and the level of detail is stunning!
You will also start to see stone carvings such as Linga and Yoni sets, Shiva statues, and stone pillars that could easily survive for a long time! Standing in front of these carvings, I felt like I was touching history!
If you book a Private Heritage Journey to My Son from Hoi An, your experience of understanding the ancient artistry will not be rushed.

Experience the Cham Architecture with VIET DOVE Travel

That is the cleverness of Cham Architecture in My Son. From Temples and carvings to the sacred, mountain-like temple, to the temple sand for growth with amazing details. My Son shows the brilliance of the Champa Kingdom.
🧭 Want to find your way to the ancient stories? Book with VIET DOVE Travel and experience Cham heritage in all its glory.
📌 Book Your Cham Architecture Tour Today!