Bringing International Tourists Closer to Cham Cultural Heritage
Beyond traditional folk art performances, the evening tourism program at the Po Sah Inu Tower in Phu Thuy Ward provides international visitors with a comprehensive nighttime cultural experience, showcasing the unique richness of Cham heritage.
At nightfall, bathed in soft golden light, the ancient Cham tower appears in a solemn, mystical atmosphere. Within this sacred space, the vibrant rhythm of ginang drums and the melody of saranai echo in the air, opening a traditional Cham folk art performance for international visitors.
According to Mr. Tran Duc Dung, head of the Po Sah Inu Tower Relic Site Management Board, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism hosted international tourist groups to explore the eastern region of Lam Dong Province during a five-star train journey that highlighted Vietnam’s cultural heritage from North to South in late 2024. When the train arrived at the station, several sites were selected for exploration, including Ta Cu Mountain, the Lang Chai Xua Museum, and the Bau Trang tourist site. Visitors spent the night at the Po Sah Inu Cham tower complex situated on Ba Nai Hill.
This relic showcases the Hoa Lai architectural style. Although modest in scale, the tower complex reflects the intricate decorative craftsmanship of the ancient Cham civilization, creating a sense of solemnity and intrigue.
So far, the Po Sah Inu Tower has hosted 15 tour groups, each consisting of 10 to 30 travelers. These visitors are affluent and highly value genuine experiences, rich cultural stories, and unique destination-specific activities.
Following their tour, international guests enjoy a cozy, friendly dinner at the base of the tower, close enough to the stage to appreciate the traditional Cham folk art performances fully. Additionally, visitors can participate in interactive cultural experiences, including pottery crafting, brocade weaving, traditional ginger cake making, and folk dancing.
Ms. Luong Thi Hoa from Binh Tien Hamlet, Bac Binh Commune expressed: “Even though I have participated in numerous festivals, engaging in traditional pottery-making at night by the tower feels both sacred and exceptionally unique. We can feel that our cultural heritage is still vibrant, as well as the obligation to sustain and pass it on to future generations.”
Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Head of the Business Department at Sao Mai Trading and Tourism Services Co., Ltd., noted that railway tourism is particularly popular among many European tourists. Thus, integrating this travel method with heritage sites and local cultural experiences in eastern Lam Dong Province presents a new opportunity—not merely to showcase the beauty of the homeland and the country, but also to generate income for local communities while fostering the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values. This is also one of the experiences specifically sought by visitors seeking a deeper understanding of Cham culture. Presently, bookings have already been made through 2027.
In addition to enhancing tourism offerings, the stops of the five-star tourist train are expected to become enduring connections that carry Lam Dong's cultural heritage—and Vietnamese culture at large—to a broader audience, appealing to international visitors through the sincerity and richness of cultural identity.
Situated on the way to the Mui Ne National Tourist Area, the Po Sah Inu Tower relic site is a favorite stop for many tour groups. Since the start of the year, it has attracted nearly 204,000 visitors, up 10% year-on-year.