The Museum of Cham Sculpture Place guide

This Cham museum was established in 1936 by the French – originally the Ecole Française d’Extreme Orient. It houses the relics of the powerful Hindu culture that once ruled vast tracts of Central Vietnam. 

Housing the largest collection of Cham sculpture in the world, this museum displays works ranging from the 4th to the 14th centuries, presented in a rough indoor-outdoor setting suiting the evocative, sensual sculptures. 

Over 300 pieces of sandstone artwork and temple decorations here were largely influenced by Hinduism, and later Mahayana Buddhism. The sculptures are arranged by period, which are named after the geographic regions where the sculptures were found. There is a permanent photo exhibition of the many Cham relics in situ at various locations throughout Vietnam. 

Symbols you should watch out for: 

• Uroja – “goddess mother – in the form of breasts or nipples
• The linga: A phallic structure representing the god Shiva
• Garuda: The holy bird
• Kinnari: The dancing girl
• Naga: The snake god
• Ganesha: the elephant-headed child of Shiva

Don’t miss: The late 7th-century masterpiece Tra Kieu alter, with carved scenes telling the story of the Ramayana, the inimitable Hindu epic. 

Opening hours: Open daily from 7am-5:30pm

How to get there: 

• Address: Số 02 2 Tháng 9, Bình Hiên, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam
  
  
• Click here for the address of this Da Nang Museum on Google Maps