Located along National Highway 1 through Thuan Bac commune, Khanh Hoa province, Hoa Lai Tower (also known as Ba Thap) is an ancient Cham tower complex dating back to the 8th century. Over thousands of years under the harsh impact of the Central climate, this relic still exists as a vivid proof of the Cham Pa civilization.
Initially, the tower complex consisted of 3 adjacent structures on an area of nearly 5,000m2. However, over time, the central tower collapsed, leaving only traces of the foundation. The remaining two structures, the North tower and the South tower, still retain their basic shape, with the main doors facing east, in accordance with ancient beliefs.
Researchers believe that Hoa Lai Tower plays an important role in the development of Cham tower architecture. Characteristics of layout, construction techniques and decoration such as arches or columns have become the foundation for later styles.
The North Tower impresses with sophisticated rolling leaf motifs and the image of the Garuda divine bird. Meanwhile, the South Tower is somewhat simpler in decoration, many details have been eroded over time, making the Garuda traces no longer clear.
According to archaeological results, this complex was built between the 8th and 9th centuries, each tower representing a different period. The South Tower belongs to the transition period between the My Son E1 and Hoa Lai styles, the middle tower is in the Hoa Lai style under the reign of King Satyavarman, and the North Tower was completed in the early 9th century.
In excavations conducted in 2005, 2012 - 2013 and 2016, scientists discovered more than 400 valuable artifacts. Notably, there are Linga - Yoni monolithic stone sets and Hoa Lai stele, providing important information about the construction process as well as Shiva worship of the Cham people.
In 2016, Hoa Lai Tower was ranked as a National Special Relic. By 2020, Hoa Lai stele continued to be recognized as a National Treasure, affirming the outstanding value of this relic site in the treasure of Vietnamese heritage.
