On November 21, the Department of Culture and Sports of Binh Dinh held a ceremony to announce the decision to recognize two stone lion statues of Do Ban citadel as national treasures.
The pair of statues were discovered in 1992 in Ba Canh area, Dap Da ward, An Nhon town, in a burial pit with the Gajashimha statue with elephant head and lion body and was recognized as a national treasure by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on January 18, 2024.
According to researchers, the stone lion statue of Do Ban citadel dates from the late 11th century - early 12th century, bearing the characteristics of Tra Kieu style combined with the original lines of Binh Dinh style (Mam tower style).
The pair of statues are currently preserved and displayed at Binh Dinh Museum.
On this occasion, Binh Dinh province also introduced to the public the national treasures recognized locally. According to Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Ta Xuan Chanh, from 2015 to 2024, Binh Dinh province has 13 stone sculptures recognized as national treasures. "All are original, unique, rare artifacts, with unique forms, of great value for research and awareness of Champa culture and history," said Mr. Chanh.
Binh Dinh Museum currently preserves 8 treasures. In addition to the pair of stone lion statues that have just been recognized, the remaining treasures are: Relief of the goddess Mahisha Sura Mardini, dating from the early 12th century; relief of the god Brahma, dating from the late 12th century; a pair of reliefs of the divine bird Garuda killing a snake, dating from the 12th - 14th centuries; relief of the goddess Sarasvati, dating from the early 12th century; relief of the guardian god Ma Chua, dating from the 12th century.
5 treasures preserved in localities, including: A pair of stone elephants dating from the second half of the 12th century, in the grounds of Do Ban citadel, now Hoang De citadel (Nhon Hau commune, An Nhon town); 2 guardian statues of Nhan Son pagoda, dating from the 12th - 13th centuries (Nhon Hau commune) and a statue of Shiva god of Linh Son pagoda, dating from the 15th century (Linh Son pagoda, Nhon Hoi commune, Quy Nhon city).
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of Binh Dinh Provincial People's Committee Lam Hai Giang requested the Department of Culture and Sports to strengthen propaganda and promote the value of treasures; closely coordinate with organizations and individuals in preserving, protecting and exploiting heritage values, especially in conjunction with the goal of developing tourism in the area.
