My Son Sanctuary receives an average 300,000 visitors per year (Photo:VNA)Quang Nam (VNA) – Authorities in central Quang Nam province are working to tap the tourism potential of My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage.
My Son Sanctuary in Duy Xuyen district consists of more than 70 temples dating back to the Champa civilisation between the 4th and 13th centuries AD. It embodies a myriad of historical, cultural, architectural and artistic values and is comparable to famous relic sites in Southeast Asia such as Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Pagan (Myanmar) and Borobudur (Indonesia).
The sanctuary, named a world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 1999, welcomes over 300,000 visitors a year, 70 percent of whom are foreigners.
Deputy Director of the Quang Nam Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Xuan Tinh said My Son is a widespread area of big rivers that were the crossroads of many civilisations, including Champa, in the past.
The relic site boasts a favourable location that links major economic hubs in the central region and is accessible by both road and railway, conducive to tourism development, he noted.
Chairman of the Duy Xuyen district People’s Committee Nguyen Cong Dung said to foster tourism development, the district has focused on expanding infrastructure, training a high-quality workforce and designing investment incentives.
Expanding on the subject, head of the My Son relic and tourism management board Phan Ho said more investment will be poured into infrastructure within the sanctuary.
While ecological and cultural tourism will continue to be prioritised, cooperation between managerial agencies and companies will be enhanced to boost travel, he noted.
New tourism services are also being designed to help preserve and utilise cultural and historical values, Ho added, highlighting the traditional Cham dance that has become a must-see for tourists visiting My Son Sanctuary.
He noted that preserving and promoting cultural heritage, creating jobs and ensuring a friendly environment are the top priority for his board.-VNA
