Protect and preserve the Vinh Hung Tower archaeological site to avoid degradation and damage.

Heritage conservation and tourism development are two factors that are often closely linked together, especially for heritages with rich historical culture and unique architecture such as Vinh Hung tower.

The Vinh Hung archaeological site in Chau Thoi commune, Ca Mau province (formerly Vinh Hung A commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province) was ranked as a special national monument by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 694/QD-TTg dated July 18, 2024.

The People's Committee of Bac Lieu Province (old) held a ceremony to receive the Certificate of National Special Monument ranking for Vinh Hung Archaeological Site on April 26, 2025. This is not only the pride of the local people but also contributes practically to preserving the richness and diversity of Vietnam's tangible cultural heritage.

After being ranked as a special national monument, Vinh Hung Archaeological Site has not changed much compared to before. Especially, during the rainy season, part of the ancient tower area is surrounded by water, with many weeds growing. Long-standing stagnant water causes moss to grow rapidly.

Mr. Le Anh Duy, a manager at the relic site, said that during heavy rains, water flooded up to the first step of the tower's foot. The relic site staff used a water pump system to pump the water out but it was not handled in time. In the long term, we hope that authorities at all levels and sectors will soon consider overcoming this flooding situation.

The Vinh Hung archaeological site is determined to date from the 7th-8th centuries AD, belonging to the final development stage of the Oc Eo culture. Vinh Hung Tower is also known as Tra Long and Luc Hien Towers.

From archaeological documents, it can be seen that Vinh Hung Tower has a master plan that has been used for a long time, with many restorations and repairs by ancient communities. Vinh Hung Tower has undergone three excavations and archaeological surveys in 2002, 2006, and 2011.

Artifacts discovered through archaeological surveys and excavations at the site in large quantities and diverse in genres and materials help identify and affirm the value of Vinh Hung Archaeological Site in the nation's cultural heritage system.

Among the artifacts found at Vinh Hung Archaeological Site, 5 artifacts have been recognized as National Treasures: Sadasiva Statue recognized in 2015; Male God Statue recognized in 2015; Goddess Parvati Statue recognized in 2015; Male God Statue decorated with many motifs recognized in 2020; Goddess UMA Statue recognized in 2023.

Regarding the structure, the foundation of Vinh Hung tower uses alternating stones and bricks to prevent subsidence. The tower architecture is square, with front and back corners, with 3 symmetrical corners in both the front and back.

The plan and architectural materials along with the remains of daily life show that the material cultural traces found at Vinh Hung tower bear strong cultural and technical nuances of the Southern Delta region in the same plan and development tradition.

Vinh Hung Tower has a fairly large area (191m wide from East to West, 6.9m long from North to South) and is built more than 10m high with quite thick brick walls, creating a load of tens of thousands of tons after construction is completed.

The tower was built on weak ground, using foundations spread over a large space to prevent subsidence was a smart solution of ancient residents.

After more than a thousand years of existence, the tower has not sunk significantly. Inside Vinh Hung tower, there is a Linga - Yoni symbol, which is the source of all creation in the fertility beliefs of Oc Eo residents.

Previously, at the ceremony to receive the Certificate of National Special Monument ranking for Vinh Hung Archaeological Relic, Mr. Pham Van Thieu, Chairman of the People's Committee of the former Bac Lieu province, now Chairman of the People's Council of Ca Mau province, requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with agencies to urgently develop a Monument Planning, promptly determine the content and measures to preserve, repair and restore the original elements of the monument.

From there, in order to promote the value of the special national relic, gradually build this place into a Center for research and preservation of the Oc Eo culture of the Southern region.

In particular, it is necessary to effectively implement the work of preserving and promoting the value of relics in accordance with the provisions of the law on cultural heritage. Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front , armed forces and organizations at all levels regularly have plans to organize trips to the source and visit relics.

However, in reality, after many months of being recognized and ranked as a special national relic, Vinh Hung Archaeological Site is still deserted, lacking visitors and especially heavily affected by rain, wind, and stagnant water around the tower area.../.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/bao-ve-bao-ton-di-tich-khao-co-thap-vinh-hung-tranh-xuong-cap-hu-hong-post1050785.vnp