General Overview of Binh Thanh Ancient Tower
Address: Binh Phu Hamlet, Binh Thanh Commune, Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh Province
Binh Thanh Ancient Tower is one of three representative structures of the Oc Eo culture in the Southern region of Vietnam that still exist today. The tower is located on the right bank of the Vam Co Dong River, about 50 km southeast of Tay Ninh city center.
This ancient tower was built in the 8th – 9th century and has a history of over a thousand years. The overall area of Binh Thanh Ancient Tower consists of three buildings, but only the main tower remains intact thanks to a restoration in 1998, while the other two towers have collapsed, leaving only remnants on the square foundations.
Binh Thanh Ancient Tower and Chop Mat Tower in Tay Ninh were officially discovered through archaeological reports at the Indochina Archaeological Research Library in the early 20th century and were recognized as National Historical Sites in 1993.
See also: Go Chua Fruit Garden in Tay Ninh - an exciting garden tourism destination
Traveling to Binh Thanh Ancient Tower
From Tay Ninh city center, head along National Highway 22B towards Go Dau District center, turn right at the Voi Hamlet intersection in Ben Cau District and follow Provincial Road 786. Travel about 20 km further, and you will see a turn leading to Binh Thanh Ancient Tower.
However, there are no signposts here, so you have to observe carefully. If you see a "Historical and Cultural Site" sign along the road, you are near the ancient tower area.
Exploring the Historical and Architectural Value of Binh Thanh Ancient Tower
Historical Value of Binh Thanh Ancient Tower
Binh Thanh Ancient Tower is a witness to the many ups and downs of Vietnamese history over the past 1000 years. This is the only tower with almost intact stone walls since its first discovery in 1886, also a rare architectural heritage of the Oc Eo culture that has retained its original design.
Additionally, Binh Thanh Ancient Tower embodies many traditional cultural and religious values of the ancient Funan people. Notable are the relief carvings on the tower, mostly stylized images of flowers, deities, and phallic symbols, which were common motifs in Hinduism worshiped by the Funan people thousands of years ago.
The architecture, construction techniques, and skillful carvings exhibited on Binh Thanh Ancient Tower reflect the pinnacle of Oc Eo culture at that time. It is a valuable document that researchers continuously explore to uncover more unique historical and cultural values at this ancient site.
Moreover, the discovery of the over 1000-year-old ancient tower further confirms that Tay Ninh was a hub of trade and cultural exchange with many major civilizations since ancient times, long before the Vietnamese settled in Tay Ninh in the 17th century.
Exploring the Exquisite Architecture of Binh Thanh Ancient Tower
Binh Thanh Ancient Tower is located on a high mound in a rice field in Binh Thanh Commune, Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh Province. The tower, built of baked bricks, stands out among the trees, creating a quiet and cool space, attracting every exploration enthusiast.
Similar to Cham towers in central Vietnam, Binh Thanh Ancient Tower was built by placing stone slabs and baked bricks tightly together without using any adhesive.
The tower was built on a square foundation, with a total height of 10 meters and each side 5 meters long. The four sides of the tower face East - West - South - North, with a single main entrance facing East.
The main entrance protrudes outward, with a width of 1 meter and a height of about 2 meters. Below the main entrance is a three-step stone staircase, and above is a large stone slab with finely carved patterns.
Additionally, the Western, Southern, and Northern walls are designed with fake doors and decorated with reliefs that are as intricate as those on the main entrance. The interior of the tower is not large, primarily serving as a place to worship Linga and Yoni, symbols of the deity Shiva in Hinduism.
Thanks to its unique architecture and sculpture, Binh Thanh Ancient Tower is also an ideal check-in spot for many young people, rivaling the Heart-shaped Sugar Palm Trees in Tay Ninh.
Admire the Images of Binh Thanh Ancient Tower
