The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture has been recognised as a municipal-level historical relic site following a recent decision signed by municipal People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh.

Visitors at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture on New Year holiday

According to researchers, the museum is worthy of such recognition thanks to its great historical and cultural values, and its unique architectural styles. The recognition will facilitate functional bodies to better manage and preserve the relic site under Vietnamese Law on Cultural Heritage, thereby contributing to promoting the cultural values of Da Nang and driving the development of local tourism industry in the time ahead.

In recent years, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture has secured its position as one of best places in Da Nang to preserve and promote unique cultural heritage in the city, and in Viet Nam at large.

The museum is now home to a collection of over 1,800 pieces of various-sized Cham sculpture. Of them, over 500 artifacts are actually on display in the museum, whilst the remainder are being preserved in storehouses.

The majority of the sculptures date back to between the 7^th and the 15^th centuries and are made from sandstone in different art styles. They all showcase the cultural exchanges and development of Oriental countries during medieval times, and represent the pinnacle of the Champa civilisation.

Most recently, two Cham statues which are on display at the museum have been among 24 additional Vietnamese artifacts to make them onto the list of national treasures in Viet Nam, following recent approval from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

By XUAN DUNG - Translated by M.D