Ponagar Tower in Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa Province recognized as special national relic
Khanh Hoa Province has formally received the certificate recognizing Ponagar Tower as a special national relic, affirming the distinctive cultural values of Vietnam’s south-central region.
More than 40 years after being designated a national relic, Ponagar Tower in Nha Trang has now officially been elevated to the rank of Special National Relic -- the highest honorary title in Vietnam’s system of historical and cultural landmarks.
This recognition honors an ancient Cham architectural masterpiece and a site that preserves deep spiritual values for the local ethnic communities.
On July 10, the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee held a ceremony to announce and receive the official designation of Special National Relic for Ponagar Tower.
The event celebrated a long-standing cultural heritage site deeply intertwined with the lives of local residents, while also promoting the region’s cultural identity both domestically and internationally.
Tran Quoc Nam, chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, emphasized that Ponagar Tower holds outstanding and unique value in terms of architecture, art, culture, and history.
Ponagar Tower by the picturesque Cai River in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Tran Hoai / Tuoi Tre
“The site embodies representative and time-honored traditional beliefs of the Vietnamese and Cham ethnic communities. It currently preserves 14 royal edicts and 28 inscribed stone steles, along with many other precious artifacts,” Nam stated.
Constructed by the Cham people between the 8th and 13th centuries on Cu Lao Hill, Ponagar Tower was originally a place of worship for the Goddess Ponagar -- the Mother of the Land to the Cham people.
Over time, it evolved into the center of worship for Holy Mother Thien Y Ana, revered by locals as the Mother of the south-central region.
People visit the tower to pray for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and a life of peace, warmth, and happiness.
Now located in Bac Nha Trang Ward, Ponagar Tower was first classified as a national relic in 1979.
Today, it remains a major cultural and tourist attraction.
Agarwood craftsmanship of Khanh Hoa also honored
In addition to the recognition of Ponagar Tower, the traditional knowledge of agarwood harvesting and processing in Khanh Hoa was officially recognized as national intangible cultural heritage during the ceremony.
According to the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, the province is home to many traditional craft villages, cooperatives, and households that cultivate and process agarwood, producing distinctive handicrafts such as incense sticks, bracelets, and essential oils made from agarwood.
Despite the passage of time and historical changes, the craft of harvesting and processing agarwood in Khanh Hoa has been preserved, passed down through generations, and continually developed, establishing a well-known brand for Khanh Hoa’s agarwood products.
Tran Hoai - Kim Thoa / Tuoi Tre News
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