As of this morning (November 9th), the foundation area of the Phu Dien Cham Tower (also known as My Khanh Tower, located in Phu Vinh Commune, Hue City) remains submerged. The water level recorded at the site is approximately 0.1 to 0.2 meters around the outer foundation of the sanctuary. The managing entity, the Hue City History Museum, is employing high-capacity pumps to remove the water.
After two days of criticism, the Phu Dien Cham Tower remains submerged.
Previously, on November 7th, Mr. Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee, personally inspected the site and witnessed the tower’s severe flooding. Mr. Minh sharply criticized the Hue City History Museum and the Phu Vinh Commune authorities for their delayed reporting and handling, allowing the flooding to persist for several days.
A staff member clears moss from the sanctuary’s brick floor as water is being pumped out.
The Vice Chairman of Hue City directed the mobilization of additional pumps, ensuring 24/7 operation to drain the water completely within the day and report the results to the City People’s Committee. He also instructed relevant agencies to study long-term flood prevention solutions, including the construction of a drainage system to safeguard the monument and its surroundings.
The sanctuary’s foundation emerges after days of submersion.
The Phu Dien Cham Tower, dating back to the 8th century, is considered one of Vietnam’s oldest Cham towers. Discovered in 2001 by titanium miners, the structure was found buried 5 to 7 meters deep in sand, 3 to 4 meters below sea level, and just 120 meters from the shoreline.
The tower, rectangular in shape (8.22 m x 7.12 m), features an east-facing main entrance and is constructed using unique ancient brick techniques. It was designated a National Architectural and Artistic Monument in 2001 and preserved within a glass enclosure. However, it remains in a deep sand pit without a proper drainage system.
In 2022, the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) and the World Records Union (WorldKings) jointly recognized the Phu Dien Tower as the “first excavated and preserved ancient brick Cham tower submerged in coastal sand dunes in Vietnam and the world.”
The sanctuary of the Phu Dien Cham Tower after days of flooding.
The Phu Dien Cham Tower submerged during Mr. Hoang Hai Minh’s inspection.
