One of the best remaining Cham temple complexes in Vietnam, and it is located 10 minutes from downtown Nha Trang. Though the construction may not be completely true to the original designs, the whole grounds have been restored to a finished state and it regardless of correctness it is quite beautiful and an amazing monument to a colorful yet enigmatic people.
The grounds were originally settled sometime in the 8th century, and over the next seven hundred years they were built, sacked, rebuilt, sacked, and rebuilt before finally fading away after the Cham themselves dissipated sometime in the 15th century. The temple was central to the Cham "state" of Kauthara, the large empire along the south-central coast of Vietnam, and the city of local Nha Trang was at one time known itself by the name Kauthara. Once the Cham fell away into history though, the temples fell into ruin, even after the Vietnamese came to power locally. The grounds were restored in the early 20th century, and unlike the My Son complex near Da Nang, this one was spared bombing during the US-Vietnam War, so it has remained in good form since.
The lower level has a courtyard with two rows of towers on either side. In the past there used to be blocks over these columns creating a large roof but those have disappeared over the years, leaving only the columns themselves. It is quite beautiful, and fun to walk around. They are quite large and impressive, considering they were built 1100 years ago!
Above, on the main level, there are two large towers and one small tower. The two large towers are quite impressive. The sun baked sandstone is a beautiful color, and although the new bricks used in restoration stand out a little more against the old, original bricks, it doesn't detract from the beauty and grandeur of their construction.
The site is also built on a small hill next to confluence of a river and the ocean- a typical place for Cham construction- and it offers a great view of the Nha Trang area, including views to the mountains to the west, Hon Tre and VinPearl to the east, and the city to the south. It's a nice, beautiful little respite in an otherwise hectic Vietnamese coastal city.
The site is also built on a small hill next to confluence of a river and the ocean- a typical place for Cham construction- and it offers a great view of the Nha Trang area, including views to the mountains to the west, Hon Tre and VinPearl to the east, and the city to the south. It's a nice, beautiful little respite in an otherwise hectic Vietnamese coastal city.
All photos copyright Kit Davidson unless otherwise noted.