Articles Discovery on the cycling road Mr Old Man The Unique Charm of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture By Mr Old Man Posted on 3 days ago 7 min read 0 0 6 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr By Mr. Old Man, 10/2021 Located at No. 2, 2-9 Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Cham sculpture in Vietnam. The artifacts on display here represent the artistic heritage of the ancient Champa Kingdom and have been unearthed from various coastal provinces of Central Vietnam, ranging from Ha Tinh to Binh Thuan, as well as from the Central Highlands. A Century of Preservation According to museum records, the first museum building was completed in 1915. However, the foundation for what it would become was laid some 20 years earlier, with an open-air Cham artifact display area known as Tourane Park. The collection efforts began in the late 19th century, largely thanks to French archaeologists—especially those affiliated with the École Française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO). The idea of establishing a Cham sculpture museum in Da Nang was first proposed in 1902, with strong support from Henri Parmentier, Head of the EFEO’s Archaeology Department. The original museum building was designed by two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, incorporating architectural motifs inspired by Cham art, as suggested by Parmentier himself. Despite multiple expansions over the decades, the original structure remains preserved to this day. Themed Galleries by Region The museum features several thematic exhibition rooms, each named after the region where the artifacts were discovered: Trà Kiệu Gallery Located in Duy Son Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, about 45 km south of Da Nang, Trà Kiệu was once the capital of the Champa Kingdom. Excavations revealed numerous sculptural works, temple foundations, and ancient city walls. Artifacts from Trà Kiệu date back to the 10th and 11th centuries and are noted for their fluid lines, lively expressions, and diversity in costume, jewelry, and posture. Tra Kieu Apsara dancer relief recognized as national treasure Mỹ Sơn Gallery Mỹ Sơn, also in Quang Nam, lies 30 km west of Trà Kiệu and served as the kingdom’s spiritual center. Surrounded by mountains, the valley contains over 70 towers, most of which were built to honor the Hindu god Shiva. Inscriptions suggest that the earliest constructions date to the 4th and 5th centuries, with the best-preserved structures from the 10th and 11th centuries. This gallery showcases various styles that highlight the evolution of Cham sculpture. Brahma’s Birth Relief Recognized as National Treasure Đồng Dương Gallery Located about 20 km south of Mỹ Sơn, Đồng Dương was the Buddhist center of the Champa Kingdom. In 875 AD, King Indravarman built a complex featuring a monastery and towers dedicated to the Bodhisattva Laksmindra Lokesvara (a form of Avalokitesvara). The artifacts here reflect the flourishing of Mahayana Buddhism in Champa culture. The altar was found at Dong Duong, the Buddhist center of the Champa kingdom. The statue of Bodhisattva Tara (Laksmindra Lookesvara Svabhayada), recognized as a national treasure, was found at Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in 1978, is made of bronze. Tháp Mẫm Gallery Tháp Mẫm, a ruined Cham site in Nhơn Thành Commune, An Nhơn District, Bình Định Province, dates back to the 12th–13th centuries. The intricate designs and refined aesthetics of the sculptures found here highlight the craftsmanship of Cham artists during this period. In addition to the galleries above, the museum also houses collections from Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien–Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh–Kon Tum, as well as exhibits on Cham inscriptions, ceramics, traditional music, and festivals from Ninh Thuan Province. A Must-See Destination for Culture Lovers The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is a cultural gem for both domestic and international visitors, especially those interested in ancient art and history. With over 300 artifacts, including national treasures and masterpieces of Cham sculpture, the museum offers a rare window into the legacy of a lost kingdom. Boasting over a century of history and recognized as a first-class museum in Vietnam, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Champa civilization and Vietnamese heritage as a whole.