VIJAYA CITADEL (THANH DÔ BAN)
Go there and contact
This ancient Cham citadel, located between the two arms of the Nam An River, once covered an area of 1.5 km².
From the 11th to the 15th century, Cha Ban was an important Cham capital, also called Vijaya. Founded by Indravarman II, located between the two arms of the Nam An river, it covered an area of 1.5 km2. Only a few laterite walls, granite paved walkways and the 20 m high Canh Tien Copper Tower remain today. Outside, to the north, at the top of a hill, are the remains of Thoc Loc (or Thap Phu Loc), the Golden Tower.
Cha Ban was besieged by the Khmers, Vietnamese and Chinese. In 1044, the Vietnamese Phat Ma took the town, which then remained under Khmer occupation from 1190 to 1220. In 1377, a major battle took place there against the Vietnamese, who lost their king. But in 1471, following a battle in which 60,000 Cham died, Emperor Le Thanh Ton seized the citadel. In 1801, the city was the scene of the (bloody) victory of the Nguyen during the revolt of the Tây-Son. In revenge for the loss of their citadel, in which the troops of Nguyên Anh (the future emperor Gia Long, founder of the Nguyên dynasty) had settled, the Tây-Son set up a blockade of the port. Rather than surrender, General Vu Tinh applied the scorched earth policy to the city. In the center of the citadel, the bronze pillar honors the memory of this valiant defeated. In 1814, the Nguyen had a new citadel rebuilt 5 km south of the previous one.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on VIJAYA CITADEL (THANH DÔ BAN)
