Province unveils plans to restore Cham tower

Good as new: Preparations are underway to restore and renovate a Cham tower in Phu Dien Commune, Thua Thien-Hue Province. – VNA/VNS Photo Thai Loc

HCM CITY — Authorities in Thua Thien-Hue Province have approved a plan to restore and renovate a Cham temple tower in the Phu Vang District's Phu Dien Commune.

The restoration work, which includes replacement of roof and walls of the glass structure built to protect the tower, coating the surface of the tower with an anti-erosion substance and a system to collect water around the tower, will cost nearly VND400 million (US$19,200).

The Cham tower ruins, located just 100m from the sea, were unearthed by titanium ore miners in April 2001.

The structure is the earliest built by the Cham people in the region to the north of Hai Van Pass.

Archeologists say it was built between the eighth and ninth centuries.

The Cham towers were built by kings of the Champa Kingdom that covered parts of southern and central Viet Nam from the seventh century to mid-19th century.

The Phu Dien Tower has four sealed entrances, and access is only available through the East entrance. The other three appear to be false.

Bricks used to make the structure are of uniform type with some carrying designs. No mortar has been found holding the structure together.

Unlike other Cham towers found in central Viet Nam, which were usually located on hilltops, the Phu Dien Tower was buried underground – probably, researchers think, by a seismic shock.

The restoration and renovation work is scheduled to be complete by the end of this year. — VNS.