Binh Dinh to spend $4mn renovating ancient Cham towers

Authorities in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam decided to spend nearly VND94 billion (US$3.9 million) renovating Duong Long Towers, which are ranked as a special national architectural and artistic relic.

Ta Xuan Chanh, director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, confirmed on Monday that the agency was preparing for the renovation of Duong Long Towers, the only Cham tower cluster in Binh Dinh to be designated as a special national art and architecture relic.

The project was previously approved by the provincial People’s Committee.

Duong Long Towers in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Dung Nhan / Tuoi Tre

The restoration is aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the towers, preventing the risk of damage, preserving and promoting cultural and historical values.

This will meet the demand for cultural and spiritual activities of residents and the tourism development of the locality.

The project will focus on renovating the south tower and middle tower from a height of 12 meters down, reinforcing the foot of the towers, strengthening the foundation, cleaning the tower wall surface and dealing with grass and fungi, fixing cracks, and improving anti-weathering capacity.

The developer is required to give priority to the use of traditional construction materials and techniques in order to avoid material incompatibility and preserve the intangible cultural value of the relic site.

The total investment capital for this project is nearly VND94 billion, funded by the central and provincial budgets.

The restoration will take place from 2022 to 2025.

The province will also invite leading experts in Cham architecture and culture to give advice and assist in making a detailed plan for the renovation.

Duong Long Towers were built at the end of the 12th century.

This cluster consists of three towers, with the middle tower measuring 42 meters high, the south tower 36 meters high, and the north tower 34 meters high.

The body of the towers was built of bricks, while the corners were joined by large stones with elaborate carvings.

Binh Dinh currently has eight clusters of Cham towers with a total of 14 towers, all of which are classified as national monuments.

On December 23, 2015, Duong Long tower cluster was ranked by the prime minister as a special national architectural and artistic relic.

(Source: TTO)