Your Guide to Vietnam's Most Iconic and Beautiful Ancient Cham Sites

Each of Vietnam’s ancient Cham monuments preserves a distinctive blend of history, architecture, and culture from the former Champa kingdom. Join TravelViet as we continue to explore these unique legacies, offering a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s profound cultural and historical tapestry.
Theancient Cham relics of Vietnamare unique architectural and cultural structures that reflect the glorious development of the Champa Kingdom over many centuries. Each relic is a fascinating destination for travelers who love history and culture and wish to explore Vietnam's unique heritage values. Let's joinTravelVietto find out more!
Related articles:
- Vietnam's Most Famous Free-Entry Historical Sites
- Vietnam's Top 8 Most Mysterious Historical Sites: Prepare to Be Intrigued!
- Journey Through Time: Vietnam's Top 19 Iconic Historical Sites Over 1,000 Years Old
- Top 8 World-Renowned Vietnamese Architectural Masterpieces
- Vietnam's Top 6 Must-See UNESCO World Heritage Historical Sites
Top Most Beautiful and Unique Ancient Cham Relics in Vietnam
Each ancient Cham relic in Vietnam is not only a testament to the glorious Champa civilization but also preserves unique values in architecture, art, and beliefs spanning centuries. If you love history and want to explore the mysterious beauty of these ancient structures, don't miss the prominent destinations below.
My Son Sanctuary
This is the most famous ancient Cham relic complex in Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in 1999. Built between the 4th and 13th centuries,My Son Sanctuarywas once an important religious and political center of the Champa kingdom, where rituals dedicated to the god Shiva took place.
The complex comprises dozens of temple towers nestled in a lush green valley, renowned for its exquisite sandstone sculptures and mysterious brick-building techniques that remain largely undeciphered. To this day, My Son Sanctuary is considered the most iconic symbol of ancient Cham architecture in Vietnam and an unmissable destination for cultural heritage enthusiasts.

My Son Sanctuary
Nhan Tower
When talking about ancient Cham relics in Vietnam,Nhan Toweris one of the prominent structures bearing the distinct imprint of the Champa civilization. Located atop Nhan Mountain, on the banks of the Da Rang River, the tower was built around the late 11th to early 12th centuries and has long been a cultural symbol of the region. Nhan Tower attracts visitors with its ancient, sacred beauty and numerous legends associated with the goddess Thien Y A Na and the history of this land.
This ancient Cham relic stands out with its traditional architecture comprising three parts: the base, body, and roof. The entire structure was built with tightly fitted fired bricks, showing almost no mortar lines, demonstrating the exceptional construction skills of the ancient Cham people. After nearly a millennium, Nhan Tower still retains its majestic appearance, serving as a valuable testament to Cham Pa architectural art and beliefs.

Nhan Tower
Po Sah Inu Tower
Located on Ba Nai Hill, overlooking Phan Thiet city, Po Sah Inu Tower is one of the most well-preserved ancient Cham relics in Vietnam. Built in the late 8th to early 9th centuries to worship Princess Po Sah Inu, this complex is a testament to the prosperous era of the Champa kingdom and reflects the unique religious life of the Cham people. Amidst the expansive natural landscape, the red brick towers further enhance their mysterious, ancient beauty, attracting numerous tourists and cultural researchers.
The complex consists of three towers built in the Hoa Lai architectural style – one of the most distinctive ancient Cham architectural styles still in existence. The intricate patterns, bas-reliefs, and false doors are exquisitely carved, showcasing the high artistic skill of Cham artisans.

Po Sah Inu Tower
Chien Dan Towers
Among the ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, the Chien Dan Towers in Da Nang stand out for their historical value and distinctive sculptural art. The complex was built around the late 10th to early 11th centuries, a period of flourishing Champa architecture. It was not only an important religious center but also reflects the construction skills, aesthetic sensibilities, and cultural life of the ancient Cham people over many centuries.
The relic consists of three towers aligned on a North-South axis, with the central tower standing approximately 20m tall and being the largest structure. A highlight of the Chien Dan Towers is the system of exquisitely carved sandstone bas-reliefs depicting deities, Apsara dancers, sacred animals, and decorative patterns. Despite the ravages of time, this ancient Cham tower complex retains its imposing grandeur, making it one of the most representative Cham architectural works, appealing to history and archaeology enthusiasts.

Chien Dan Towers
Phu Dien Cham Tower
Phu Dien Cham Tower (also known as My Khanh Tower) is one of the most unique ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, as it was buried under layers of sand for over a thousand years. The structure was discovered in 2001 in Hue city during mineral exploitation. This event caused a significant stir in archaeological circles because it is a rare Cham tower that remained almost intact after a long period beneath the sand.
The tower was built in the characteristic low-tower style of Cham architecture, featuring a rectangular base, a main entrance facing east, and wall sections adorned with balanced and harmonious decorations. The tightly interlocked fired bricks and unique construction techniques further attest to the architectural prowess of the ancient Cham people. Currently, the structure is preserved within a greenhouse system to mitigate environmental impacts.

Phu Dien Cham Tower
Twin Towers
On the list of ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, the Twin Towers (Twin Tower (Hung Thanh Tower)) are an impressive structure due to their rare and unique architecture. Located right in the heart of Quy Nhon city, the tower complex was built around the 12th century and is one of the few ancient Cham towers still almost perfectly preserved in Gia Lai. The two towers standing side-by-side create a majestic image amidst the coastal city, reflecting the glorious development of the Champa civilization in the ancient Vijaya region.
A highlight of the relic is the construction technique using tightly fitted red fired bricks with virtually no visible mortar lines – an architectural secret that still holds many mysteries. Additionally, the soaring tower roofs, false doors, and carved patterns influenced by Khmer art create a distinctive beauty. Today, the Twin Towers are not only a valuable cultural heritage site but also a famous tourist attraction in Gia Lai.

Hung Thanh Towers
Bang An Tower
Bang An Toweris one of the most uniquely designed ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, featuring an octagonal base instead of the square shape found in most other Cham towers. The structure was built around the late 11th to early 12th centuries during the reign of King Bhadravarman II and is currently located in Da Nang city. Standing over 21m tall, the tower prominently rises from the plain, serving as a testament to the architectural skill and beliefs of the ancient Cham people.
According to surviving inscriptions, Bang An Tower was built to worship the god Shiva in the form of Linga Paramesvara. The entire structure was constructed with fired bricks using characteristic tight-fitting techniques, combined with delicate decorative details, creating a solemn and ancient beauty. Despite enduring over nine centuries, this ancient Cham architectural relic still retains significant historical and artistic value and has been classified as a National Historical-Cultural Relic.

Bang An Tower
Duong Long Towers
When discussing ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, one cannot overlookDuong Long Tower (ivory Tower)– a famous complex of towers renowned for its massive scale and among the tallest still standing. Built around the 12th-13th centuries, the structure is a prime example of the Vijaya architectural style, a period of flourishing development for the Champa kingdom. Three towering structures majestically rise on a high mound, creating a grand spectacle that reflects the power and religious life of the ancient Cham people.
Unlike many ancient Cham towers, Duong Long Towers combine fired bricks and sandstone in their decorative details, creating bas-reliefs, deity statues, and patterns with distinctive artistic depth. The tower bodies soar upwards, with roofs gradually tapering and culminating in elegant lotus finials, embodying the Cham architectural style. With its outstanding historical and artistic value, the complex has been classified as a Special National Relic, becoming a captivating destination for heritage enthusiasts.

Duong Long Towers
Po Nagar Cham Towers
Ponagar Towerare one of the most famous ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, and also an important religious center for the Cham people that still exists today. The complex was built between the 8th and 13th centuries on a small hill near the mouth of the Cai River, dedicated to the goddess Po Ina Nagar – the Mother Goddess revered by the Cham as the creator and protector of crops and life.
The complex consists of several towers built with red fired bricks using the characteristic tight-fitting technique of Cham architecture. The exquisite bas-reliefs, deity statues, and carved patterns are still remarkably well-preserved, reflecting the distinctive artistic prowess of the Cham civilization. Beyond its historical value as an ancient Cham relic, Po Nagar Cham Towers also host an annual traditional festival, attracting numerous tourists and pilgrims.

Po Nagar Cham Towers
Yang Prong Cham Tower
Amidst the mountains and forests of Ea Sup, Yang Prong Cham Tower is one of Vietnam's most unique ancient Cham relics, as it is the only Cham tower still standing in the Central Highlands region. The structure was built around the late 13th century to worship the supreme deity Yang Prong, according to Cham beliefs. Nestled beneath ancient trees by the Ea H'leo River, the tower creates a scene that is both sacred and mysterious.
The tower stands approximately 9m tall, with a square base, a main entrance facing east, and three false doors on the other sides. The entire structure was built with red fired bricks combined with decorative stone slabs, featuring exquisite carved patterns and a unique onion-shaped spire at the top. Although weathered by time, this ancient Cham architectural relic remains a valuable testament to the spread of Champa culture into the Central Highlands.

Yang Prong Cham Tower
Khuong My Towers
Khuong My Towers are among the earliest ancient Cham relics in Vietnam, built around the late 9th to early 10th centuries. The complex consists of three towers aligned on a single axis, showcasing a transitional style between Dong Duong and My Son art.
The bas-reliefs depicting deities, Apsara dancers, and scrolling leaf patterns are still quite distinct, reflecting the developed sculptural skills of the Cham people. Although not as famous as My Son, Khuong My Towers remain a structure of great archaeological and historical value.

Khuong My Towers
Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery
Built in 875 during the reign of King Indravarman II,Dong Duong Buddhist Institutewas once the largest Buddhist center of the Champa kingdom. This is a unique ancient Cham relic in Vietnam because it is associated with Mahayana Buddhism, unlike most Cham towers which worship Shiva.
Although much of the structure has been ravaged by time, the remaining foundations, Buddha statues, and artifacts still reveal the massive scale of this architectural complex. The Dong Duong art style is also considered by researchers to be one of the most distinctive schools of Cham sculpture.

Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery
These are some of theancient Cham relics in Vietnamthat preserve the glorious imprints of the Champa civilization over many centuries. Don't forget to followTravelVietto discover more heritage sites, historical destinations, and exciting travel experiences across Vietnam.
Hanoi 223 view
Update day : 26/07/2026
Monuments close by
See allNearby tourist attractions
See all

























