Proud of thousand-year cultural heritages

Po Nagar Temple and folk knowledge of exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa aloewoo were honored as special national monument and national intangible cultural heritage respectively at a ceremony solemnly held by Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee at Po Nagar Temple (Northern Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa Province) on July 10 night. These tangible and intangible cultural heritages have been deeply connected to Khanh Hoa people and are the pride of local people for hundreds of years.

Sacred ancient temple

Special national monument Po Nagar Temple is located on Cu Lao Hill in Bac Nha Trang Ward, built by Cham people from the 8th to the 13th century to worship Goddess Po Inư Nagar (also known as Po Nagar). In 1653, the coexistence and harmonious integration of Vietnamese people and Cham people significantly marked the strong formation and development of Mother of Land worship of Cham people and Thien Y A Na Holy Mother worship of Vietnamese people. This is why Thiên Y A Na Holy Mother is also venerated at Po Nagar Cham Towers. Ponagar Temple consists of the gate temple, Mandapa and the area of towers. However, over many years, 5 architectural works of the monument, Mandapa and area of towers, remain.

Special national monument Po Nagar Temple

The temple area currently comprises of 4 towers. Northeast tower, the main tower, is 23m high, first built in the 8th century and rebuilt in the 11th century, with a statue of Holy Goddess Po Nagar inside. Southern tower is 18m high, built in the 13th century, worshipping God Shiva. According to Vietnam’s legend, this tower worships the husband of Holy Mother Thien Y A Na. Southeast tower is 7.1m high, dating from around the 11th to 12th century, worships God Skandha, the son of Shiva. Vietnamese people believe that this tower worships the adoptive parents of Holy Mother Thien Y A Na. Northwest tower, 9m high, is the only tower that is still quite intact in terms of architecture and decoration, worshipping God Ganesha.  In Vietnamese legend, the tower worships the children of Holy Mother Thien Y A Na.

Po Nagar Temple was recognized as a national architectural and artistic monument in 1979.  Po Nagar Temple is religious venue for Po Nagar Temple Festival taking place every year from lunar March 20-23 and religious activities relating to Mother of Land worship of Cham people and the Mother Goddess worship of Vietnamese people. In 2012, Po Nagar Temple Festival was included in the national list of intangible cultural heritages. Special national monument Po Nagar Temple is preserving 14 royal decrees and 28 inscriptions on steles, along with many other rare artifacts. Through a long process of cultural exchange, intermingling and adaptation, Po Nagar Temple has become a central Mother Goddess worship site, where locals and visitors from other localities visit and pray for peace, prosperity, favorable weather, and happiness, according to Le Van Hoa, deputy director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Aloeswood industry in Khanh Hoa

Khanh Hoa is well-known for aloewood, 1 a precious product that local people have painstakingly exploited and processed. According to historical records, aloewood has long been known as one of the famous endemic products of Champa, Dai Viet. According to Professor, PhD. Nguyen Van Kim - Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, ancient historical records indicated that as early as the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), Champa's aloewood was known throughout the region and regarded as a primary offering to the imperial court and the nobility of the North. This clearly shows that aloewood exploitation has a very long history. Aloeswood appears in many localities in the central highland region and some Southeast Asian countries. Khanh Hoa’s aloewood has been famous for its top quality, which was highly appreciated by Scholar Le Quy Don in his in-depth article about aloewood in the past.

Aloeswood processing in Hoa Thang Ward (Photo: C.D)

With a long-standing tradition, Khanh Hoa Province is home to many craft villages, cooperatives, groups of artisan, and households specializing in aloewood production with distinctive and renowned aloewood handicrafts such as incense sticks, bracelets, statues, and essential oils. Many of these aloewood handicrafts were given certificate of high quality. Khanh Hoa aloewood brand is increasingly recognized both domestically and internationally. Aloeswood handicrafts are unique souvenirs for visitors to the land of aloewood. Aloeswood artisans honor Goddess Po Nagar – Thien Y A Na Holy Mother as the progenitor of aloewood industry.

Po Nagar Temple was recognized as special national monument on January 17, 2025; folk knowledge of exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa aloewood was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages on June 3, 2025. 

GIANG ĐINH 
Translated by H.N