Swallow Tower Phu Yen - Special national monument of Cham Pa culture

Nhan Tower – A Symbol of Cham Culture in Phu Yen

Located on the north bank of the Da Rang River (or Ba River), Nhan Tower is not only a historical relic but also a cultural symbol of Tuy Hoa city, harmoniously combined with the majestic natural landscape of Nhan Mountain and the river, creating a picturesque scene.

With its unique architecture, mysterious legends, and unique cultural events, Nhan Tower attracts history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and "virtual living" devotees who want to capture the ancient beauty of the "yellow flowers on green grass" land.

History and Legends of Nhan Tower

Nhan Tower was built by the Cham people living in the Ba River delta, named in the E-De and Jarai languages as Yang Ko Hmeng (Tower of the Gods). This structure is a place to worship Thien Y A Na (or Poh Inu Nagar), the goddess of the Motherland in Cham Pa belief, a symbol of birth, prosperity, and protection of the people.

There are many legends about the origin of Nhan Tower:

1. Legend of Thien Y A Na: According to legend, the fairy Thien Y A Na descended to earth, teaching the Cham people how to cultivate, weave, and spin to make a living. After returning to the fairy realm, the people built a tower to worship and express gratitude for her merits. The statue of the Holy Mother Thien Y A Na is currently placed in the tower, the focal point of worship ceremonies.

2. Legend of the Giant: In ancient times, Tuy Hoa was a swampy area plagued by water monsters. God sent a giant to carry earth to fill the swamp. When nearly completed, due to rushing back to heaven, the carrying pole broke, and rocks fell to form Chop Chai Mountain and Nhan Tower.

3. The Name "Nhan" (Swallow): The name "Nhan Tower" comes from the fact that Nhan Mountain is where many swallows live and nest. In addition, the shape of the mountain is said to resemble a swallow spreading its wings, contributing to this name.

Nhan Tower also reflects the cultural exchange between the Cham and Vietnamese people during the exploration of Phu Yen in the 16th century, showing the spirit of solidarity and harmony between the two ethnic groups.

Why Visit Nhan Tower?

1. Unique Cham Architecture: Nhan Tower possesses a transitional architectural style between My Son A1 and Binh Dinh, with a square structure, durable baked bricks, and sophisticated carvings, showing the talent of the ancient Cham people.

2. Historical Value: As one of the few relatively intact Cham towers in Phu Yen, the tower preserves the cultural imprints of Cham Pa and over 800 years of history.

3. Beautiful Scenery: From the top of Nhan Mountain, visitors can see the entire city of Tuy Hoa, the winding Da Rang River, and the distant East Sea, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.

4. Virtual Living Check-in: The ancient mossy appearance of the tower, combined with the shimmering lights at night, is the ideal backdrop for artistic photos.

5. Cultural Events: Nhan Tower is the venue for major festivals such as the Nguyen Tieu Poetry Festival (full moon of the first lunar month) and the Via Ba Thien Y A Na Ceremony (March 20-23 of the lunar calendar), attracting many tourists and artists.

Directions to Nhan Tower

Nhan Tower is located right in the center of Tuy Hoa city, at 72 Le Trung Kien, Ward 1, very convenient to travel:

• From Tuy Hoa Station:

  • Go along Le Trung Kien Street, past the Tan Da intersection for about 100 m, turn left onto the small road, go another 200 m to reach the foot of Nhan Mountain. The total distance is about 3.5 km, taking 7-10 minutes by motorbike or taxi.

• Transportation:

  • Motorbike: Renting a motorbike (priced at VND 100,000-150,000/day) is a popular option, suitable for exploring the airy route.

  • Taxi: The inner-city fare is about VND 50,000-100,000/trip. It is recommended to use Xanh SM technology taxi, which is environmentally friendly.

  • Electric Car: At the parking lot at the foot of the mountain, there is an electric car service to take you to the top, priced at VND 15,000/person/round trip.

  • Walking: From the center of Tuy Hoa, it takes about 20 minutes to walk, suitable for those who want to exercise and sightsee.

• Road to the Tower: There are two options:

  • Asphalt Road: Winding, slightly steep but easy to travel, suitable for motorbikes or electric cars.

  • Staircase Road: For pedestrians, it takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the top, pay attention to traffic because the road is quite crowded in the evening.

Note: The parking lot at the foot of the mountain costs about VND 5,000-10,000/motorbike, free parking at certain times.

Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours

• Entrance Fee: Free admission.

• Opening Hours: 5:00 – 23:00 daily. At night, the tower is illuminated, creating a shimmering and magical appearance.

• Ideal Time to Visit:

  • January-August (dry season): The weather is cool and dry, suitable for sightseeing and taking photos. In particular, March-April has a pleasant climate, with fewer tourists.

  • Full Moon of the First Lunar Month: The Nguyen Tieu Poetry Festival takes place, with poetry programs and artistic performances.

  • March 20-23 of the Lunar Calendar: Via Ba Thien Y A Na Ceremony, attracting people and Cham people from Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, with ghost dancing and offering ceremonies.

• Best Time to Take Photos: Sunrise (5:30-6:30) and sunset (17:00-18:00), when the light creates a brilliant effect on the tower and surrounding landscape.

Unique Architecture of Nhan Tower

Nhan Tower is about 23.5 m high, with a square structure, each side of the tower base is 10 m long, consisting of three main parts: the base of the tower, the body of the tower, and the roof of the tower.

• Base of the Tower: Square, lined with sandstone, symbolizing the earth, built gradually backward to hug the body of the tower, creating solidity.

• Body of the Tower: Tall, massive, bright red-brown, decorated with patterns and false doors with religious significance. The tower door faces East, leading to a small worship space with a statue of the Holy Mother Thien Y A Na.

• Roof of the Tower: Consisting of many stacked layers, gradually shrinking, on the top is a Linga statue made of stone, a symbol of Shiva and Cham Pa fertility belief.

The tower is built with baked bricks arranged tightly, without using mortar but extremely solid, 1.3 times lighter than conventional bricks. The mystery of the binder (possibly from the resin of the oil tree) is still an unanswered question, showing the outstanding talent of the ancient Cham people.

Near the tower, there is a stone stele engraved with ancient Sanskrit, 1.3 m high, carved with lotus petal, considered the only surviving document, of high archaeological value.

Unmissable Experiences at Nhan Tower

1. Panoramic View of Tuy Hoa: From the top of Nhan Mountain, admire the city of Tuy Hoa, the Da Rang River, and the East Sea, especially beautiful at sunrise or when the city lights up.

2. Explore Cham Architecture: Learn about the carvings, Linga statues, and the worship space inside the tower, feel the mystery of Cham culture.

3. Virtual Living Check-in: Take photos with the ancient tower, stone stele, or the mountain and river scenery. At night, the illuminated lights make the tower shimmer, ideal for artistic photos.

4. Participate in Festivals:

   • Nguyen Tieu Poetry Festival (full moon of the first lunar month): Meet poets, enjoy poetry and folk song performances, and bai choi.

   • Via Ba Thien Y A Na Ceremony (March 20-23 of the lunar calendar): Experience the rituals of worship, ghost dancing, and the bustling spiritual atmosphere.

   • Art Program: Takes place every Saturday evening (19:30) at the tower yard, with traditional dance and song performances and Phu Yen lithophone.

5. Enjoy Cuisine: At the foot of Nhan Mountain, there are stalls selling banh beo chen, sugarcane juice, or soy milk, priced from VND 10,000-30,000/dish, suitable for resting.

6. Explore Nearby Attractions: Combine visiting Bai Xep (14 km), Ganh Da Dia (35 km), or Mang Lang Church (35 km) to enrich your journey.

Notes When Visiting Nhan Tower

• Attire: Wear polite clothing, avoid revealing clothes to respect the spiritual space.

• Safety: The road to the tower is slightly steep, so be careful when walking or driving, especially at night because it is crowded. Wear non-slip shoes and pay attention to traffic.

• Protect the Environment: Do not litter in the tower grounds (about 1,000 m², paved with clean bricks).

• Weather: Bring a hat and sunscreen if visiting during the day. Check the weather forecast because the rainy season (September-December) can make the roads slippery.

• Accommodation: Tuy Hoa has many hotels such as Mandala Hotel & Spa (VND 1,355,000/night), Rosa Alba Resort (5-star standard), or affordable homestays (VND 300,000-500,000/night).

• Souvenirs: Buy Phu Yen fish sauce, dried tuna, or banh it la gai as gifts.

Conclusion

Nhan Tower Phu Yen is a precious cultural heritage, preserving over 800 years of Cham Pa history and the Viet-Cham exchange. With its unique architecture, mysterious legends, and beautiful scenery, the tower is not only a spiritual destination but also a place for visitors to explore the ancient beauty and peace of Tuy Hoa. Whether you want to learn about culture, hunt for beautiful photos, or participate in exciting festivals, Nhan Tower will surely leave an unforgettable impression. Plan a visit to this "pearl" to feel the breath of history and the beauty of Xu Nau!