Buzz
As the sole surviving structure of the Óc Eo culture in the Southwest region, the nearly millennium-old Vĩnh Hưng Tower sparks curiosity among visitors traveling to Bạc Liêu.
The thousand-year-old Vĩnh Hưng Tower
Vĩnh Hưng Tower is located in Vĩnh Hưng A commune, Vĩnh Lợi district, Bạc Liêu province. In 1992, it was recognized as a national historical and architectural relic. The tower is approximately 20km from the center of Bạc Liêu city, situated along a convenient travel route. To reach the tower, visitors can take National Highway 1A toward Cà Mau for about 5km, then head toward Sập Bridge and follow the road along Vĩnh Hưng Market.
In 1911, the tower was first discovered and introduced as Trà Long Tower by Lunet de Lajonquière. Later, in 1917, Henri Parmentier surveyed the site and renamed it Lục Hiền Tower. In 1990, archaeologists uncovered artifacts such as deity statues, inscriptions, grinding tables, and Linga-Yoni relics. Based on these findings, the tower was preliminarily dated to the 7th–8th centuries, marking the late development phase of the Óc Eo culture.
Vĩnh Hưng Tower was constructed on a 100m² plot. The tower stands about 50m above the surrounding fields and reaches approximately 8.2m in height from its base. The walls at the base are about 1.8m thick, gradually thinning as they rise. The roof slopes upward, forming an arched design. The tower's entrance faces southwest, differing from other Chăm towers in central Vietnam.
Unique features in the tower's architecture
Due to its ancient age, the exterior of the tower has been significantly covered in moss and shows signs of erosion. The base is constructed with red bricks. However, from a height of 4.15m upwards, the builders added a layer of larger, lighter grayish-white bricks. The primary materials used in the tower's construction include bricks, tiles, and stone. The ancient Khmer people skillfully combined these materials. The bricks are evenly bonded without visible gaps, using a plant-based adhesive to hold them together.
Many artifacts remaining in Vĩnh Hưng Tower indicate a connection to Buddhism. Interestingly, despite the tower's heavy structure, it was built on soft soil. The ancient builders used a widespread foundation technique across a large area to prevent sinking. This method has ensured the tower's stability over centuries.
From a distance, the ancient tower stands majestically amidst the fields, exuding a timeless, weathered charm. Inside the main chamber, visitors can admire intricately crafted bronze statues of divine hands and Buddha heads. Notably, the lower body of the Brahma goddess statue is beautifully carved from green stone. The courtyard features a set of Linga and Yoni statues, symbolizing the balance of yin and yang.
According to Mytour.vn
***
Reference: Travel guide from Mytour.vn
Mytour.vnAugust 13, 2024
