The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is a must visit for anyone planning a trip to the popular Vietnamese city. First opened in 1919, the museum is a haven for lovers of history and Vietnam alike, housing the world’s largest collection of Champa cultural artefacts, along with a variety of other pictures and documents relating to Cham culture. In this article, let’s do a deep dive on the Museum of Cham Sculpture.
Visitor Information
Where is the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture?
Located on the corner of Bach Dang and Trung Nu Vuong streets on the bank of the Han River in Da Nang, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is located in a convenient location.
For both domestic and international travellers, you’ll be pleased to know the museum is only a ten minute drive from Da Nang International Airport. When giving your driver directions, provide this exact address for easy dropoff.
Address: No. 02, 2 Thang 9 Street, Binh Hien ward, Hai Chau district, Da Nang city, Vietnam
Explore more: Da Nang’s Art and Culture Scene: Explore the art galleries and museums in the city
How much is the entrance fee to Da Nang Cham Museum?
Cham museum Da Nang entrance fee is 60,000VND for adults and 10,000VND for students. That roughly estimates to $2.40 and $0.4 respectively.
For those looking for guided tours, extra costs will be incurred. This is only available for groups of 5+, and for those in need of English or French speaking tour guides, it’s recommended to book in advance.
What are the working hours for the Cham Museum?
Working hours of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture are from 7 am – 5 pm, including holidays and Vietnamese new year. For those interested in guided tours, they are available from 7:30 am – 11 am in the morning, and 2 pm – 5 pm in the afternoon.
What are the best times to visit Cham museum Da Nang?
Given that the Cham Museum is open year round, when to visit is dependent on visitor preferences. Having said that, early in the morning when it opens or later in the afternoon ensure that the museum of Cham sculpture Da Nang isn’t as crowded, giving you more space to enjoy the artefacts of the Champa people.
History Of Da Nang Museum Cham Sculpture
The history of Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture dates back to the 19th century. At the time, French archaeologists working for the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient (EFEO) began collecting Cham artefacts to display at Tourane Park on the Han River. These artefacts were found in Da Nang, Quang Nam, and neighbouring provinces.
In 1902, the idea of building a museum for Cham sculptures in Da Nang was born through an EFEO project. Organised by Henri Parmentier, the head of the Department of Archeology at the time, the first building was built according to the design of two French architects who worked in accordance with Parmentier’s suggestions. Construction began in 1915.
Since then, the Museum of Cham Sculpture has undergone numerous expansions. While retaining its blend of classical European Gothic design and Cham traditional art, space and size has been added. Today it has a total area of 6,673 sq metres. Out of that, 2,000 sq metres is reserved solely for showcasing ancient Cham relics.
Looking for more things to do in the city? Check out this list of the 41 Best Things To Do In Da Nang
What’s Inside The Da Nang Museum Of Cham Sculpture?
The Da Nang Museum Of Cham Sculpture currently houses nearly 2,000 large and small artefacts. Of these, the total number of art objects are 500. On your visit, these can be seen in any one of the museum’s 12 galleries. Let’s take a look at a few spotlight pieces.
Trà Kiệu Altar
Made from sandstone, the Tra Kieu Altar dates to the 7th and 8th centuries and is the only remaining Champa altar that is still relatively intact.
With dimensions of 128 cm in height and 190 cm in length, the Tra Kieu Altar consists of two parts: a round block on the top and a square block on the bottom. Carved into the blocks are figures and other patterns which have aroused numerous speculations regarding their meaning.
For these reasons, the Tra Kieu Altar is considered one of the sculptural masterpieces of the Champa period. According to one researcher, the four carved scenes around the altar are excerpts from the epic Ramayana.
Đồng Dương Altar
Another treasure of the Cham people is the Dong Duong Altar, which dates back to the late 9th and early 10th century. According to inscriptions and findings from archaeological excavations, besides Hinduism, Buddhism also developed quite strongly in the Champa kingdom.
So when in 1902, clearing and excavation in Dong Duong village of the Quang Nam province revealed traces of a large-scale Buddhist building complex, the relics were known as the Dong Duong Monument. Of these, the Dong Duong Altar is a shrine to the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Mỹ Sơn E1 Altar
The My Son E1 Altar was discovered by French archaeologists in 1903. They found it in the ruins of the E1 tower of the Champa temple complex in My Son (now Quang Nam).
In 1918, it was brought to the Champ Museum of Da Nang. Once again made of sandstone, My Son E1 Altar dates to the 7th and 8th centuries. The altar is considered a typical symbol of the type of altar at the My Son relic site.
Bodhisattva Tara Statue
According to documents, the bronze Bodhisattva Tara Statue was accidentally discovered by a farmer in Dong Duong village of Quang Nam in 1978. The statue can be seen in the museum standing in a dignified, elegant pose with palms facing outwards at the hips.
Recognised as a national treasure in 2012, the Bodhisattva Tara Statue is one of four national treasures on display in the Cham Museum.
Explore more: Delving into Dong Dinh Art Museum’s Galleries
What Should You Note When Visiting The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculptures?
When visiting the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculptures, it’s important to follow these rules.
- Visitors must purchase a ticket to enter the museum
- Visitors must dress appropriately
- Visitors must not smoke, drink, or eat in the museum
- Visitors must not bring explosives, flammable items, or weapons into the museum
- Visitors must not touch any of the artefacts in the museum
- Visitors must not use a tripod or flash to take photos
- Visitors are responsible for any damages caused to the museum
Visiting Si Dining After Your Experience At Da Nang Museum
After an afternoon spent revelling in the culture and history of Vietnam, why not stop by Si Dining for the perfect end to the day? Located just 10 minutes away by car, Si Dining is a modern Italian restaurant with a Vietnamese twist, giving you the opportunity to feast on an array of carefully crafted dishes from a team that has been selected for praise by the Michelin Guide. For more reservations and more information, don’t hesitate to contact us now!
