“Da Nang used to "fly to the sky" to make an outstanding mark with the International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) so it can also "dig into the ground" to see the cultural identity. And of course, Phong Le is a typical example, an archaeological site that has proven its value through excavations offers an opportunity for Da Nang to spread its cultural depth everywhere”, said researcher Vo Van Thang when he recalled the early days of participating in excavation work at the Phong Le Village-located Cham relic site in Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District, Da Nang.

After 3 excavations in 2011, 2012 and 2018 respectively, the Phong Le Cham relic is now in a desperate need of turning itself into a worthy cultural space. Photo: TRUONG KY

Wake up a "ruins"

Excavations revealed many valuable traces and artifacts of Cham culture. Based on a combination of building materials and architectural decorations made of Champa sandstone and ceramic glazes of the Song Dynasty, experts predicted that Phong Le dated back to the beginning of the 10th century and stay as a worship place until at least the 12th century, and at the same time shaped the entire scale and foundation structure of a large Cham tower, with a "sacred hole" whose layout was different from the previously-found monuments.

After 3 excavations in 2011, 2012 and 2018 respectively, the Phong Le Cham relic is now in a desperate need of turning itself into a worthy cultural space.

In details, in 2011, a resident digging the foundation to build a house discovered the foundation of a tower. An excavation in 2012 and subsequent excavations uncovered findings from which researchers and archaeologists affirm that this relic site is the system of at least 3 Champa towers built in the 11^th century and dating back 1,000 years.

Many valuable artifacts have been found at the site, all reflecting the spiritual and economic life of Cham people in the Amaravati area from the 10^th to 12^th centuries.

In particular, a sacred hole was found during an excavation here. The finding of such an undamaged sacred hole plays a vital role in facilitating the archeology and research work for Cham architecture and culture in the city.

However, it has been not possible to excavate on a large scale to fully grasp the uniqueness of this ancient tower since the area has loads of constructions.

Phong Le turned renowned after having recognsed as a municipal-level relic site at the end of 2020 following the the Da Nang’s administration’s approval. The relic site is worthy of such recognition thanks to its unique historical and cultural values, as well as its great potential for the development of the tourism industry.

According to Mr. Ha Vy, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, in order to preserve and promote the time-honoured value of Phong Le, his agency has implemented many preservation activities such as establishing a relic management board, conducting archeological fieldwork, restoring and embellishing in the most suitable and optimal manner, in order to clarify the layers of meaning of Phong Le and promote its significance in the modern context.

Especially, a proposal to open the second campus of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture has been made by the Department.

Director of Da Nang Museum Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien expressed: “Phong Le, along with the Hai Van Gate and the Dien Hai Citadel and other relic sites, boasts precious values that are in need of sustainable preservation. For Phong Le, this place has been "sleeping" for many long historical periods. It's high time to "wake up" Phong Le to turn it into a space deeply imbued with Da Nang identity.

Referring to the opening of the second campus of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture Sculpture Museum, Vy revealed that the project will be developed by the Da Nang Management Board of Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Projects.

In the immediate future, it is necessary to make adjustments to plans for conducting archeology and promoting the value of Cham Phong Le relic site and submit them to the Da Nang People's Committee for approval.

After the approval is granted for the above-mentioned project, relevant units will complete a report on proposed capital sources. It is revealed that the project will be divided into 2 phases namely 2022 - 2025 and 2026 - 2030.

Reporting by TRUONG KY - Translating by A.THU