Vietnam: Mý Són Tour

Friday 10th April

Wee Beasty

Our pick up was arranged for four thirty in the morning, so we were away by ten past five, our guide Tin was very apologetic (probably had lots of practice) then a few more stops were made to pick up further guests (one place we had to go to three times because the lazy b*stards couldn't wake up. I would have left them, they made us another half hour late). Eventually the minibus was full and we set off towards Mý Són.

Temple groups B and C

En route we were given "breakfast", a salt sandwich made with Vietnamese sliced bread (very dry) and a garnish of egg and salad and a bottle of water. Not the best meal but unexpected and welcome as we weren't going to eat again until at least ten in the morning.

Temple C

Mý Són is "A most important complex of Hindu temple towers which is a symbol of Chāmpa art" they were continuously built between the 4th Century and the 13th Century.

Detail of carved block

On arrival we had to pay the entrance fee of 100,000 VND as it wasn't included in our tour price, before a ten minute walk to the first (and largest) set of temples. This set is by far the most complete although there are still many ruins.

Group B temple, or maybe a kitchen?

According to the guide "the ancient Chāmpa people were raised to be masters of brick building, laying the bricks closely and securely without mortar, then carving detailed images". That the images remain after nearly one thousand years is a testament to the quality of the bricks and carvings.

Wall of Group B temple

The next group of temples were not so well preserved, the same could be said for the next group as well but some restoration work has been undertaken. With replacement bricks costing 70,000 VND each funding is short and will take some time.

Temple

The final two groups were in a much poorer state and will need quite a bit of work, the first one was falling down.

Barely holding together

The second could do with a bit of weeding.

Any one got a strimmer?

After we had finished with Mý Són we were due to cruise back down the river to Hoi An, to get to the river was a thirty minute drive. It felt like we were nearly back.

Fishing boat on the river

An unexpected bonus was stopping off at a woodworking craft village. It's here that they do most of the carvings for the tourist souveneers sold in Hoi An.