Mỹ Sơn – You’re Neat But You’re No Ankor Wat

Kris — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:30:13 +0000

Throughout Southern and Central Vietnam, you can find many Cham towers still standing. The kingdom of Champa thrived between the 2nd and the 15th centuries, and the ancient site of Mỹ Sơn was once the most important centre of this kingdom. Set in a jungle valley near Hoi An, it was built in the 4th century. The French rediscovered it in the late 19th century and took on the task of restoration. At its peak, there stood 68 structures but heavy American bombing resulted in only 20 remaining today. While it is older than Ankor Wat in Cambodia (to which it is sometimes compared), it’s a much smaller site and not quite as awe-inspiring. But Mỹ Sơn is charming, quaint and interesting all the same.

UNUSUAL STOP: PHAN RANG

Laurene — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:00:06 +0000

(Version française plus bas)

Nobody goes to Phan Rang but Vietnamese tourists. I went for the cham towers.

The Cham towers of Po Klong Garai are the only attraction in Phan Rang. At 8.00 am, I hopped on a moto taxi to check them out. I didn’t know what to expect, so when I caught sight of the red brick towers overlooking Phan Rang from the top of a hill, I was captivated.

Po Klong Garai Cham towers.

The Chams are a minority group whose identity is not defined by religion. Some of them are Muslims while others are Hindu. Po Klong Garai is a Hindu site built in the 13th century. Once a year, the Chams still go to Po Klong Garai on a pilgrimage.

Sunrise over Phan Rang.

Along with this beautiful sight, I had a dive in the sea, once again! I gazed at a beautiful sunrise. And I’ve learnt that nuoc mam- a fish sauce of which the Vietnamese are very fond- is made around here.

''Sea through''

Nuoc mam factory.

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HALTE INHABITUELLE: PHAN RANG

Personne ne s’arrête à Phan Rang sauf les Vietnamiens eux-mêmes. Pour ma part, j’y suis allée pour les tours cham.

Les tours cham de Po Klong Garai sont la seule et unique attraction de Phan Rang. A huit heures du matin, j’ai enfourché un taxi moto pour aller jeter un oeil au site. Je ne savais pas à quoi m’attendre, alors dès que j’ai aperçu au loin ces tours de briques rouges dominant Phan Rang du sommet d’une colline, j’ai été subjuguée.

Les Chams sont une minorité ethnique qui n’est pas définie par la religion. En effet certains d’entre eux sont musulmans tandis que d’autres sont hindous. Po Klong Garai est un site hindou construit au 13ème siècle. Une fois par an, les Chams de la région s’y rendent en pélerinage.

En plus de cette vision assez extraordinaire, j’ai à nouveau piqué une petite tête dans la mer, admiré un assez beau lever de soleil, et appris que le nuoc mam, cette fameuse sauce de poisson dont les Vietnamiens sont très friands, est fabriqué dans la région.

Jet Set Zero » cham towers

Mỹ Sơn – You’re Neat But You’re No Ankor Wat

UNUSUAL STOP: PHAN RANG