Continuing the journey for heritage in the locality with the largest Cham community in the country

Two heritages - one cultural depth

On the evening of July 10, the ceremony to announce and receive the certificate of ranking Po Nagar Tower as a special national relic and the national intangible cultural heritage of Khanh Hoa Agarwood Exploitation and Processing Knowledge took place at Po Nagar Tower as a special national relic (Northern Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province).

This is not only an important milestone, affirming the respect and honor for two cultural heritages that have been closely associated with the lives of local people for a long time, but also becoming the pride of Khanh Hoa, thereby spreading the image of a beautiful land, rich in cultural identity to friends at home and abroad.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Quoc Nam - Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee - said: "I propose that in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism continue to research and advise the Provincial People's Committee on specific contents and solutions to preserve and promote more effectively typical cultural values".

The special national monument Po Nagar Tower is located on Cu Lao hill in Bac Nha Trang ward, built by the Cham people from the 8th to the 13th century to worship the goddess Po Inư Nagar (also known as Po Nagar).

Ceremony to announce and receive the certificate of ranking as a special national monument of Po Nagar Tower and national intangible cultural heritage of knowledge of exploiting and processing agarwood in Khanh Hoa.

By 1653, from the coexistence and harmony of the Vietnamese and Cham people, the Cham people's belief in worshiping the Mother of the land was formed and developed with the Vietnamese belief in worshiping Thien YA Na Thanh Mau, so at Po Nagar Tower, Thien YA Na Thanh Mau was also worshiped.

Po Nagar Tower is an architectural complex consisting of: Gate Tower, Mandapa and temple tower area. After many historical changes, the relic site currently has 5 remaining architectural works on two levels: Mandapa and temple tower area.

The Mandapa area has 4 rows of large octagonal columns, built of baked bricks, including 10 large columns and 12 small columns. The temple tower area has 4 towers: the Northeast Tower, also known as the main tower, is 23m high, inside the tower is a statue of Goddess Po Nagar; the South Tower is 18m high, worshiping the god Shiva, and according to Vietnamese legend, the tower worships Goddess Po Nagar; the South Tower is 18m high, worshiping the god Shiva, and according to Vietnamese legend, the tower worships the husband of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau, so it is called Ong Tower; the Southeast Tower is 7.1m high, worshiping the god Skandha, son of Shiva, and according to Vietnamese legend, the tower worships Mr. and Mrs. Tieu, the adoptive parents of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau; the Northwest Tower is 9m high, the only tower that is still quite intact in terms of architecture and decoration, the tower worships the god Ganesha, and according to Vietnamese legend, the tower worships Co and Cau (children of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau).

Po Nagar Tower Special National Monument

Along with that, since ancient times, Khanh Hoa has been known as "Land of Agarwood, Sea of Bird's Nest", which speaks to the value and quality of two rare specialties associated with this land. Thanks to that value, the folk knowledge in exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa Agarwood has been listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Many people in Khanh Hoa shared their joy and pride when Thap Ba was officially recognized as a special national monument. For them, it is not only a sacred ancient tower, but also a place where people place their faith in the protection of the gods. "Hearing the news that the monument was ranked as special, I was very happy. Not only people in the province, but the whole country will know more about Thap Ba. I am happy because the heritage of the Agarwood land is cared for and preserved", Ms. Khanh Nguyen (North Nha Trang ward) expressed.

Soulful heritage dance

According to the Khanh Hoa Provincial Monuments Conservation Center, in order to preserve the beauty of Cham culture in general and Cham dance in particular, for many years, the Center has actively coordinated in selecting Cham girls to join the dance team. The girls in the Cham dance team are usually between 18 and 22 years old, every few years some members get married, so a new team must be established and trained from the beginning. These girls are all instructed and practiced in traditional Cham dances before performing for tourists.

This is to preserve the beauty of Cham culture, contributing to introducing Cham dance to domestic and foreign tourists.

Perhaps the most attractive thing when coming to the special national relic of Po Nagar Tower is when the golden sunlight spreads over the ancient tower. At the foot of the tower, to the sound of Ghinang drums and the cheerful melody of Sranai trumpets, is the image of barefoot Cham girls dancing gracefully, making people's hearts even more captivated.

For many years, the locality has continuously paid attention, invested and devoted resources to preserving and honoring heritage values.

And if we want Cham dance to continue to shine, we need more accompanying policies, encouragement, and confidence for artisans, especially the young generation and Cham girls - those who are continuing the traditional dance. Because they are the bridge connecting the past with the present, helping Cham dance to forever resonate on the ancient bricks, spreading the national soul to future generations.

On January 17, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long signed Decision No. 152 on ranking special national monuments (17th batch, 2025) for 5 monuments nationwide. Among them, there is the architectural and artistic relic of Po Nagar Tower in Khanh Hoa province.

On June 3, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed a decision to announce the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Accordingly, Khanh Hoa Agarwood Exploitation and Processing Knowledge was included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/viet-tiep-hanh-trinh-cho-di-san-o-dia-phuong-co-cong-dong-nguoi-cham-lon-nhat-nuoc-20250710212010227.htm