Museum of Cham Sculpture

The Museum of Cham Sculpture is located at the intersection of Trung Nu Vuong and 2/9 Streets, Da Nang city. The Museum of Cham Sculpture was built in 1915, was previously called Hang-ri Pac-mang-chi-e (names of a specialist, one of the first experts to discover My Son), then was renamed as Cham Museum and now is called the Museum of Cham Sculpture. The Museum of Cham Sculpture was built in Cham architectural style, using thin lines that are simple and gentle. This is the final collection of Champa culture in the world. Currently, the museum was expanded and renovated nicely for display of Cham sculptures made of stone and earthenware and excavated from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh.

The museum is divided into 2 main periods: Before the 10^th century and from the 10^th century to the 16^th century or the end period of Champa Kingdom. The sculptures were collected from Tra Kieu, Dong Duong, Khuong My, My Son, and Thap Man, more specifically the area of Da Nang and Quang Nam. All the sculptures are displayed in 4 showrooms named after the localities where the pieces have been discovered.

Entering the yard, on the left of building is My Son room displaying the sculptural works founded at My Son Sanctuary such as the big statue of Siva God, Uma Goddess (wife of Siva God), the carving depicting the daily life of the clergy and aristocracy class.

The next one is Tra Kieu room describes the daily activities of Cham people in Tra Kieu (Singapura), an ancient capital of Champa Kingdom. Behind Tra Kieu room is Dong Duong room displaying the Buddha statues, statues of guardian…founded at Dong Duong. On the right of building (opposite to My Son room), is the place where displays the relics founded at Tra Ban (BinhDinh) such as the statue of Gods, dancers, musicians…

With over 450 works displayed, The Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang city describes an important period of Champa Kingdom’s history including the prosperous and brilliant period.

Nowadays, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is expanded, exhibits more works and has the team performing the traditional dances and songs of Cham people to service the tourists.

Da Nang Museum

Da Nang museum is located in 78, Le Duan Street, Da Nang city. It is a 3-story building, wide, spacious, and very impressive with beautiful layout. It displays more than 2,000 artifacts, documents, precious pictures on the theme: Danang History, War Remnants and ethnography.

Pho Da Pagoda

Pho Da Pagoda is located at 340 Phan Chu Trinh Street. It was founded and built by Venerable Thich Ton Thang in 1927 and was restored in 1937, 1945, and 1983.

Constructed according to the Chinese character “Khau”, the pagoda includes the Main Hall, a Buddhist Temple room and a lecture-hall. Three bronze Buddha statues cast in 1947 are worshipped inside the Main Hall. On the front ground lays a large oval lake. Standing on a huge rock in the middle of the lake is the 3m-high Quan Yin Statue.

Pho Da was famous for what was formerly named the Branch Central Institute of Buddhism Study. In 1961, its name was changed to Pho Da Pagoda. This is where many Buddhist monks and nuns of the province have been trained over the last three decades. Presently, the pagoda is also the location of the School of Basic Buddhism Study.

Tam Bao Pagoda

Tam Bao Pagoda is located at 323 PhanChau Trinh street, Da Nang city, was built from 1953 to1963 and was restored in 1990 with a large scale. Its architecture is the harmonious combination between the architecture style of the East Asia and Vietnam with five high towers, each of which has a distinct color representing the five colors of Buddhism. The three main parts of the pagoda are:

Upstairs has the presbytery where worships only one Buddha. The altar’s table is made of wood and was the present of the King of Thailand.  

In front of the pagoda have 2 bodhi trees, providing shadow all year around. These bodhi trees were taken from the bodhi tree under which Buddha reached Nirvana, were brought back from India to plant. The trees behind the pagoda were also taken from LumPiNi where the Buddha was born.

This is the first place of Nam Tong Buddha faction in Quang Nam-Da Nang. It is an interesting place for tourist and monks from the Western come here to study Buddhism.

Phap Lam Pagoda

Phap Lam pagoda is situated at 500, Ong Ich Khiem street, Da Nang city, was built in 1936 and was restored in 1970. The building was formerly used as the headquarters of the An Nam Buddhist Association - Da Nang branch.  Phap Lam has been an office of Quang Nam – Da Nang Buddhist Association since 1975. The pagoda is constructed with the oriental architecture style, covers an area of 3,000m2,has Buddhist architectural style in Vietnam.

Tam Thai Pagoda

Tam Thai Pagoda is located in the west of Thuy Son Mount (Water Mount) of the Marble Mountain Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang city. The pagoda was built in 1960 and is considered a national pagoda and a Buddhist site. The pagoda was restored with a large scale in 1825, under Thanh Thai’s reign, and after 1975. Its architecture follows the shape of the Chinese character meaning “king” with high artistic value, which was typical of the architectural style of temples and pagodas under the Nguyen Dynasty.

It is said that this pagoda had been a regular relaxing place for Minh Mang King every time when he visited the Marble Mountain. Close to the pagoda stand Pho Dong tower, Tu Lam pagoda and Vong Giang Dai (river-viewing pavilion), standing on Vong Giang Dai visitors can see an overview of Cam Le village, Cam Le river, Hoa Vang field.

To the left of the pagoda is Huyen Khong Cave with beautiful stalactiles, with Linh Nham Cave, Tang Chon Cave and Linh Ung Pagoda nearby.

Linh Ung Pagoda

Linh Ung Pagoda is located on the cliff of Thuy Son Mountain (Water Mount), facing the sea. The pagoda was built under Ming Mang’s reign. Over the time, the pagoda was damaged seriously. In 1970, the monks and the Buddhists helped to rebuild the pagoda. There are the white stone statues of the Arhants in the pagoda. To the right of the pagoda is Vong Hai Dai (beach-viewing pavilion), standing on Vong Hai Dai visitors can watch entire sight of Non Nuoc beach.

Quan The Am Pagoda

In 1956, former monk Thich Phap Nhan founded Quan Am cave at Kim Son Mount (Metal Mount), one of the Marble Mountains. There is the stalactite which looks similar to the statue of Quan Am (Goddess of Mercy or Avalokitecvara Bodhi sattva) in this cave. Then he set up the pagoda in 1960 on the foot of Mountain, to the right of Quan Am cave and named it Quan Am Pagoda. In front of the pagoda is the the field and Truong Giang River where the boats of Emperors of Nguyen Dynasty often landed when traveling to the Marble Mountain.

This is the place where the Quan The Am Festival is organized annually on the 19th day of the second lunar month, attracts thousands of Buddhists.  It is said that this pagoda is very sacred and solemn; so many visitors come here to pray for happiness and luck.

The Holly See Temple Of Caodaism Central Association

The Holly See Temple of Caodaism Central Association (Trung Hung Buu Toa Temple) is located at 35 Hai Phong Street, Da Nang city, was built in 1956 and is Vietnam’s second most important after Tay Ninh.

Caodaism was originated from Vietnam and was the first step to form the religious community in the early 20^th century and Tay Ninh Province is the holy land of this religion. From the Southeast region to Thua Thien Hue province, Caodaism developed strongly from 1934-1960 and many shrines was built. The Caodaism Central Association manages Caodaism Association in 14 different provinces (consisting of over 60 shrines). In each shrine, adherents gather to worship four times a day (6am, noon, 6pm & midnight). From the outside looking in shrines, the left door has the “woman” sign for female professors; the right door has the “man” sign for male professors and the middle door is for the dignitaries. The temple has the paintings of 5 first adherents of 5 biggest religions in the world including Cao Dai’s principal saints (Muhammad), Lao-tzu, Confucius, Jesus Christ and Buddha. Caodaists believe that all religions are ultimately the same and seek to promote tolerance throughout the world.The main point of Caodaism temple is a Divine Eye symbolizing God. In the back of main hall displays the pictures of Ngo Minh Chieu who is the first follower and the founder of this religion in Vietnam and other professors.