Dong Duong’s towers rapidly decaying

The Cham Towers of Dong Duong are being consumed by the forest, but despite its national heritage recognition very little has been done to preserve it.

9th century nat’l heritage disintegrates in central Vietnam
Thanh Nien News, 12 May 2014

A national heritage recognition hasn’t done much to protect a massive 9th century monastery that’s rapidly decaying in central Vietnam.

People in Quang Nam Province’s Thang Binh District are hoping that an application submitted in February for a “special” national heritage recognition will bring more actual efforts to preserve it.

The former site of the monastery was first recognized as a heritage site 14 years ago.

During a recent visit, however, nearly all of the buildings had been consumed by trees and shrubs.

Many sandstone relics, some of which may be as much as 1,000 years old, had been charred by local trash fires.

Full story here.