Quang Nam Celebrates 50 Years of Vietnam-India Ties

At the celebration ceremony. Source: VOV

A ceremony took place at the My Son World Cultural Heritage Site in the central province of Quang Nam on March 28 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-India diplomatic relations and review five years of the joint work to renovate the site (2017 – 2021).

Once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom, My Son Sanctuary is located within a hilly landscape in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, about 70 km southwest of central Da Nang city and 40 km from Hoi An ancient town.

It is comprised of eight groups of 71 monuments built from the 7th to 13th centuries. The sanctuary was recognised as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.

The upgrades of Towers K, H, and A were being carried out over five years from 2017 to 2021, with about VND 52 billion fund from the Indian Government.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Quang Nam People’s Committee Tran Van Tan stressed the renovation, funded by the Indian Government, has contributed to tightening solidarity and friendship between the two countries as well as between Quang Nam, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, and other partners.

He said his province will continue working with the embassy to complete the project and implement other heritage conservation activities.

The local authorities have agreed to extend the implementation of the My Son project by one year.

Experts and hundreds of skilled workers carry out the conservation work at the Group A tower. It, comprising 13 monuments, suffered huge damage during wartime and needs urgent repairs due to harsh influence of nature and time. Source: Quang Nam newspaper

Director of the Management Board of the site Phan Ho said the renovation project has made significant results in the conservation of the Group K, H, and A tower-temples.

During the process, Vietnamese and Indian experts discovered a monolithic lingam-yoni, which was recognized by the Prime Minister as a national treasure.

In particular, through the implementation of the project, it has contributed to improving the management and professional capacity of the staff, creating conditions for building and forming a skilled workforce of monuments conservation.

At the same time, with the completion of the restoration and embellishment work in two towers H, K and a basic part in zone A at My Son temple, not only has it repair the damage and deterioration of the relics site, but also contribute to the restoration and completion of the architectural space of My Son Temple Complex - a unique world cultural heritage in Central Vietnam.

During the process, the project has discovered 734 artifacts of all kinds, including unique artifacts of Champa sculpture, serving the display and research of Cham history and culture.

In addition, the Government of India, through the Embassy of India in Hanoi, has provided Quang Nam province with short-term and long-term scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate training. Up to now, there have been three turns of provincial officials attending training courses under this program.

Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma said restoration process has brought vitality to the Vietnam-India relationship in contribution to imparting knowledge about ancient civilisations to the young generation.

He expressed his wish to see more relic renovation projects carried out by both Vietnam and India, considering them an important part in the nations’ relations.

A Indian Film Week also took place from March 25 to 27 in Duy Xuyen district of Quang Nam province.

It was an event of the National Tourism Year – Quang Nam 2022 and the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – India diplomatic relations.

The films included documentaries of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India, The 1975 spring offensive, Quang Nam tourism in 2021, Indian films (Neeria Badrinath ki Dulhania, Bahubali - The Beginning) (provided by Indian Embassy) and Vietnamese films (Floating Water Season and Road Through The Forest).

Locals visit the exhibition. Source: Quang Nam newspaper

Right after the film week, on March 28, an exhibition displaying over 50 photos of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India; cooperation activities between Quang Nam and Indian partners in recent years; and performing arts of dance artists of India and Quang Nam province, have been held.

Photos introducing the 5-year journey of restoring the My Son Cham tower relic in the Group K, H, and A tower-temples along with the final results, attracted a lots of viewers.

On this occasion, locals also admired famous Indian architectural works such as Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, Jama Masjjd, one of the largest mosques in India; Salvation Church, among others.

Secretary of the Quang Nam Party Committee Phan Viet Cuong meets with Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India in Vietnam on March 28. Source: Quang Nam newspaper

Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma visits Da Nang Cham Museum on March 27 during his recent visit to Da Nang city. Source: Indian embassy in Hanoi

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