A unique heritage collection
The open-air museum housing the Cham royal cultural heritage collection in Tinh My village, Hong Thai commune, Lam Dong (formerly Phan Thanh commune, Bac Binh district, Binh Thuan province) is located on the right bank of the Luy River, about 300m from National Highway 1, and is visited by many tourist groups.
On the upper floor of the house, artifacts are displayed in glass cabinets. Here, more than 100 original artifacts, rich in historical and cultural value of the Cham people, and royal decrees from several Nguyen dynasty emperors are preserved...
The crown of King Po Klong Mo Nai.
Most valuable are the crown of King Po Klong Mo Nai from the early 17th century and the queen's hair ornament, both made of pure gold with unique carved patterns, along with the costumes of the king, queen, prince, and princess, featuring exquisite ancient patterns.
With its cultural and historical value, the Cham royal heritage and the temple of King Po Klong Mo Nai were classified as a National Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in Decision No. 43 dated January 7, 1993.
Mr. Uc Viet Vong, Head of the Management Board of the Cham Cultural Exhibition Center ( thuộc Lam Dong Provincial Museum), said that this is an interesting tourist attraction, meeting the needs of those who want to learn and research about the ancient culture of the Cham people. "The Cham Cultural Exhibition Center will develop tours connecting the Cham Cultural Exhibition Center to the Cham Royal Family's home to visit the open-air collection of heritage artifacts, and to the pottery village as well as Cham temples such as Po Anit and Po Klong Mo Nai, creating a closed tour package. Especially, the Cham cuisine will be featured to attract more visitors," Mr. Vong said.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Director of Sao Mai Tourism Company – a unit that has brought many tourist groups to visit this place – added: "Besides Cham culture, this exhibition area should combine several points, including Cham pottery in Binh Duc and some traditional craft villages, to create a complete tour program to bring tourists back to the heritage. However, some points on the itinerary need rest stops, shopping areas, and restaurants to create a complete program."
The queen's hairstyle.
Let's work together to awaken our heritage.
Over the two years (2023-2024), the former Binh Thuan Provincial Museum collaborated with the Cham royal family to implement activities such as: conducting surveys, investigations, collecting information, and inventorying artifacts and antiques to develop a model of an "Open Storage Facility for the Cham Royal Family's Cultural Heritage Collection".
Installing display cabinets, surveillance camera systems, burglar alarm systems, refrigeration systems, and pest control systems to preserve artifacts; installing QR code scanning boards to introduce the Cham Royal Family's cultural heritage collection to the public and tourists at the Royal Family residence.
At the same time, opportunities were created for members of the Cham royal family to participate in training courses on model building and tourism skills.
To adopt a new approach and truly maximize its value, in July 2024, the former Binh Thuan Provincial Museum launched the "Open Storage Model of the Cham Royal Family's Cultural Heritage Collection," connecting it with local Cham cultural heritage tourism itineraries.
Ms. Lu Thai Tuyen, Deputy Director of Lam Dong Museum (formerly Binh Thuan Museum), said that in parallel with introducing the "Open Storage of Cham Royal Cultural Heritage Collection" model to connect with Cham cultural heritage tourism itineraries in the locality, Lam Dong Museum has also aimed to digitize some unique, aesthetically pleasing artifacts with clear origins from the Cham Royal Heritage Collection.
"Regarding the artifacts at the 'Open Collection of the Cham Royal Family', after building a model for displaying the artifacts and connecting them to visitors, the family has agreed to have the unit coordinate with Phan Thiet University to digitize approximately 20 representative artifacts in 2026," Ms. Tuyen added.
Over the years, relevant authorities have implemented activities to preserve and promote the value of the aforementioned collection; however, the effectiveness of these efforts remains modest and does not match the true value of the heritage. Furthermore, some artifacts made of fabric, such as the costumes of King Po Klong Mo Nai and his queen and princesses, are seriously deteriorating.
Mr. Vo Ngoc Hiep, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee (third from the left), visits and congratulates the Cham royal family on the 2025 Katê festival.
Synchronization in conservation and promotion
Mr. Lu Quoc Thien, a descendant of the Cham royal family, said that his family has carefully preserved the artifacts passed down from generation to generation. "Our family's wish is to cooperate with relevant agencies and local authorities to effectively protect the artifacts here. Secondly, we hope that relevant agencies will bring in specialized personnel to handle and preserve the artifacts that are currently in danger of being lost," Mr. Thien expressed.
According to Mr. Vo Thanh Huy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province, building an "Open Warehouse for the Collection of Cham Royal Cultural Heritage" to serve tourism right at the royal family's residence is not yet a fundamental solution, because the infrastructure there is not yet adequate to serve tourist groups. "The Department's direction is to have the family move this collection to the Po Klong Mo Nai temple for introduction and display, provided that the Department will renovate the facilities and build a suitable exhibition house, ensuring security and safety. But first, we need the family's agreement on this matter before the Department can proceed. If we move it there, we can do much more," Mr. Vo Thanh Huy said.
Mr. Vo Thanh Huy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province, inspects artifacts at the exhibition area of the Cham royal family.
To effectively preserve and promote the value of the collection currently on display at the Cham royal family's residence, a coordinated effort is needed from the local government, relevant departments and agencies, and the descendants of the Cham royal family. This will lead to fundamental solutions addressing the current situation, gradually enhancing the historical and cultural value of the collection locally, as well as developing economic solutions by integrating it into local Cham cultural heritage tourism itineraries.
The eastern part of Lam Dong province boasts numerous historical and cultural relics of the Cham people and is home to a large Cham population. Along with the Po Klong Mo Nai temple, there are also the Po Anit temple, the Cham Cultural Exhibition Center, the Binh Duc Cham pottery village, and especially the Po Sah Inu tower… If properly invested in, this "Open Collection of Cham Royal Cultural Heritage" opens up enormous potential for the locality to develop cultural heritage tourism.
Source: https://vov.vn/van-hoa/di-san/danh-thuc-di-san-hoang-toc-cham-o-lam-dong-post1261394.vov
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