Bang An Tower, over 1,000 years old, stands as a unique Cham architectural masterpiece in Vietnam, featuring an octagonal design unlike any other surviving tower in the country today.
Bang An Tower, over 1,000 years old, stands as a unique Cham architectural masterpiece in Vietnam, featuring an octagonal design unlike any other surviving tower in the country today.
Located in Dien An ward, Dien Ban town (Quang Nam Province), Bang An Tower is approximately 14km from the ancient town of Hoi An and 27km from Da Nang.
Researchers suggest that the tower was built in the 10th century and served as a place of worship and ritual ceremonies. Inside, the tower was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, represented by a Linga.
Bang An Tower remains one of the largest brick sculptures from the Champa civilization. Despite enduring over a thousand years of history, as well as damage from natural forces and wars, the tower's unique architecture remains remarkably intact.
Significantly, Bang An Tower is the only remaining octagonal tower in Vietnam, and it was recognized as a National Historic and Cultural Relic in 1989.
A closer look at the 1,000-year-old tower:
The tower is set within a 4,000m² area filled with greenery, creating a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.Shaped in an octagonal form, each side of the tower is 4 meters long, and it stands 21.5 meters high. The structure consists of a main hall and a sanctuary.The entrance hall is quite long, with the main door facing east to capture the sunlight.There are two side doors, which were converted into windows by the French during renovations in 1943.
Viewed from above, the sanctuary comprises three parts: a base, an octagonal body, and a conical roof made of eight curving faces leading up to the top.The tower is adorned with geometric patterns at the junctions between the base, body, and roof.
In front of the main entrance are two sandstone statues of Gajasimha (a mythical creature with an elephant's head and a lion's body).
The sanctuary itself resembles a large Linga, while the overall layout of the tower hints at a Yoni, both representing key elements of Cham religious beliefs.Unlike other Cham towers, Bang An’s sanctuary has an octagonal base and lacks typical Cham decorative features such as pilasters, false doors, and floral motifs.
Inside the tower is a statue of Linga, symbolizing Shiva, though only the base remains today.
The inside of the roof can still be viewed, though it has lost much of its decorative detail over time.
The tower was constructed with fired bricks, held together without visible mortar, but remains incredibly durable.
The tower's grounds also contain a stone stele engraved with ancient Cham script. Bang An Tower is an ideal destination for those interested in exploring Cham culture and marveling at this rare and unique architectural treasure.
Vietnamnet.vn
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