Khanh Hoa’s 1000-year-old Cham towers become tourist hotspots
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Po Nagar Tower in Bac Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) - Nestled along Vietnam’s south central coast, Khanh Hoa province is home to a cluster of ancient Cham towers standing tall for over a millennium. Packed with history, these sacred sites are now blowing up ♓as must-see tourist spots.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers. Among them, the Po Klong Garai and Po Nagar complexes stand out for their historical significance, aesthetic appeal, and cultural value.
Perched on Trau Hill in Do Vinh ward, the Po Klong Garai complex, built between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, pays tribute to King Po Klong Garai (1151–1205), revered for his contributions to local irrigation and agriculture. The site includes the Main Tower, Fire Tower, and Gate Tower, with the 20.5m Main Tower boasting intricate designs and distinctive red baked bricks. Its construction technique, which allows bricks to seamlessly interlock without visible mortar, remains an unsolved mystery, adding to its enigmatic allure.
The complex is the heart and soul of the Cham Balamon community in southern Khanh Hoa, especially during the annual Kate Festival between late September and early October. This site, together with the Hoa Lai tower, was designated a Special National Monument in 2016. In 2024, the statue of King Po Klong Garai was officially recognised as a National Treasure.
An aerial view of the Po Nagar Tower complex (Photo: VNA)
Not far away, the Po Nagar Tower complex, set on Cu Lao Hill overlooking the Cai River in northern Nha Trang, is dedicated to the goddess Po Nagar (Thien Y A Na), the protector of land and people. Built between the 8th and 13th centuries, this site has been through historical upheavals but still radiates spiritual magic. Its Mandapa hall, with distinctive octagonal brick columns, and a cluster of towers, pull in thousands of visitors annually.
On July 10, the Po Nagar Tower complex was officially recognised as a Special National Monument. Its intangible cultural value shines during the annual Po Nagar Festival held from the 20th to 23rd of the third lunar month.
The Cham’s sophisticated bricklaying technique, with nearly invisible joints, continues to puzzle researchers. Intricate carvings of deities, dancers, and sacred animals, though worn by time, vividly reflect Hinduism’s profound influence on Cham artistry and spirituality.
To keep this legacy alive, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hoa said local artisans from Bau Truc pottery village and My Nghiep weaving village put on traditional craft shows at Po Klong Garai. Tourists get a treat with Cham folk music and dance performances on weekends and holidays, plus two epic shows, “Lung Linh Xu Tram” and “Trang Soi Dang Thap” staged on the first and 15th of each lunar month.
The towers have also become popular check-in spots, with visitors donning traditional Cham attire for photos./.
Attracting major investors will bring in capital, advanced technology, and modern management expertise, helping to develop key industries, generate jobs, and promote local development, said a leader of the Van Phong Economic Zone.
With just a few days to go, the south central coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province is gearing up for its highlight summer event — the 2025 sea culture and tourism festival. As of now, preparations are nearly complete. The festival is expected to give a major boost to Khanh Hoa’s tourism sector.
Khanh Hoa leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to further improving the local investment climate by streamlining administrative procedures, reducing licensing times, increasing transparency, and providing the best possible conditions for businesses and investors.
Looking ahead, experts predicted that 2025 will be AR’s breakout year, akin to the ubiquity of QR codes. With AI cooking up personalised trips and lightweight, user-friendly gadgets, Vietnam’s tourism industry is ready to explode.
According to booking data from Emirates — one of the world’s largest airlines, Vietnam is leading the list of the most popular destinations for the summer 2025 travel peak, thanks in part to the appeal of the new Dubai–Da Nang route.
Phu Quoc surpassed Hoi An, a longtime top draw for international visitors, to get into the top five most-searched destinations in Vietnam during the first half of 2025.
Vietnam MICE EXPO 2025, the country’s largest event in the MICE sector, will be held on September 26 in Hanoi under the theme “Heritage & Technology in the New Era,” expecting over 800 businesses and 1,500 delegates.
The article describes Vietnam as a vibrant, atmospheric, and culturally rich nation. Citing the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it notes that the number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing all other international destinations.
Unlike more developed destinations such as Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai, Mien Doi remains untouched by mass tourism, appealing to those seeking a slower pace and authentic local experiences.
From 2022 to 2024, Hanoi saw a strong annual growth rate of 28.3% in visitor numbers during the National Day holiday, with international visitors rising 62.5% annually. Tourism revenue grew by 31.6% per year, reinforcing Hanoi’s status as a vibrant, culturally rich, and safe destination.
Following the recent administrative restructuring that merged the city with the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, HCM City now boasts 681 potential tourist sites. With a population of over 14 million, it has become Vietnam’s largest intra-provincial tourism market, both in scale and in diversity.
The three-month contest aims to encourage content creators and travel lovers to showcase the beauty of the landscapes, people, and culture of Vietnam through short videos, to international audiences in an emotionally engaging and modern way.
With its “simple, green, and friendly” vibe, Cao Bang is establishing itself as Vietnam’s most welcoming getaway, rocketing up the list of top spots in the northern mountains.
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 3.85 million foreigners in the first half, a 44% surge year-on-year, alongside 18.3 million domestic tourists, up 7%. The influx generated nearly 117.94 trillion VND (4.53 billion USD) in revenue, a 27.3% yearly rise, putting the city nearly halfway to its annual target, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
In the article titled "The World's Largest Cave Has Its Own Climate System With Jungles, Rivers, and Clouds—and This Is the Only Way You Can See It", Travel+Leisure describes Son Doong as a “surreal natural wonder,” featuring massive domes, a primeval jungle hidden underground, an underground river system, and its own secluded climate.
Hanoi’s Department of Tourism has introduced a series of new attractive tourism products, aiming to make a strong breakthrough during the National Day (September 2) holiday, and accelerate growth through the end of the year.
With its pristine natural beauty, diverse tourism options, and growing focus on sustainability, Vinh Hy Bay is truly a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the wonders of Khanh Hoa province.
In line with guidance from the Government Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the capital has assigned its Department of Agriculture and Environment to raise public awareness and disseminate legal knowledge on biodiversity conservation and resource use.
To encourage domestic visitors, the Tourism Department has launched the 2025 tourism promotion scheme themed "Hanoians and Tourists Experience Four- and Five-Star Hotel Services in Hanoi", with a special focus on the week leading up to Vietnam Family Day (June 28).
Vietnam led the region with a 30% increase in international arrivals compared to Q1 2024, and ranked second in terms of recovery rate, with a 34% rise over the same period in 2019.
The show's popularity is continuously going viral on social media in Vietnam, with a record of over 13 million views on YouTube after its first five episodes.
The H1 figure stood at 49% of the full-year target of 22-23 million tourists, but it should be noted that the peak international tourism season in Vietnam lasts from October to March.
In the Best Islands category, Phu Quoc was the sole representative from Vietnam, ranked third among the top ten islands. This achievement adds to Phu Quoc’s list of international accolades over the past two years.
