The Binh Dinh Museum (Nguyen Hue Street, former Quy Nhon City) houses 8 national treasures, all stone sculptures from the Champa period. It is one of the museums with the largest collections of national treasures in central Vietnam.

For nearly five centuries (11th-15th), the Binh Dinh region served as the capital of the Champa kingdom. During this period, the Vijaya dynasty left behind a tangible cultural heritage, including a system of Cham towers and temples, citadels, ancient pottery kilns, and numerous valuable sculptures.

A prominent pair of national treasures at the museum is the Garuda, dating back to the 13th century. Discovered in 2011 at the Mam Tower ruins (An Nhon town), they were recognized as national treasures in 2017. The pair remains largely intact, with only one showing minor damage to a corner that doesn't significantly impact its form.

The Garuda is prevalent in Champa sculpture, typically depicted with the head of a lion and the beak of a bird, human hands, a human torso, and the legs of an animal. In Hindu mythology, Garuda is considered the king of all birds and the nemesis of the Naga serpent. This enmity stems from Naga's mother killing Garuda's mother. Upon encountering Naga, Garuda exacts revenge by tearing him apart. Later, the god Vishnu subdues Garuda, who becomes his mount. In Champa sculpture, Garuda is often associated with Vishnu or depicted slaying Naga.

The bas-relief of the goddess Sarasvati, dating to the 12th century, was discovered in 1988 at the Chau Thanh Tower ruins (An Nhon town) and recognized as a national treasure in 2020. Sculpted in high relief within a pointed arch, Sarasvati has three heads adorned with a conical hat bordered by a jeweled band and lotus petals. Her four arms depict a dancing figure with a gentle smile, seated in the lotus position. Sarasvati is credited with creating the Sanskrit language, poetry, and the arts. This type of sculpture often adorned the main entrances of Cham temples and towers.

The bas-relief of the guardian deity Dvarapala dates back to the 12th century. Discovered in 1992 at the Ma Chua Mound ruins, Dvarapala, in Hindu tradition, is a gatekeeper, protecting the entrances of temples and towers. Tasked with safeguarding religious teachings, monks, and worshippers, Dvarapala is typically depicted in symmetrical pairs flanking doorways.

The bas-relief of the goddess Mahishasuramardini, dating to the 12th century, was recognized as a national treasure in 2015. This type of sculpture typically adorned the main entrances of temples and towers. The bas-relief portrays Mahishasuramardini as vibrant, with a full chest, rounded belly, slender thighs, and graceful arms. She embodies cosmic activities like creation, preservation, destruction, incarnation, and liberation. Her hands hold sacred objects such as a bell, the chakra wheel, and a three-edged dagger. According to Hindu mythology, she was born from the combined power and energy of other gods to vanquish demons threatening the world. Her greatest feat was slaying the buffalo-headed demon Mardini.

The bas-relief of the god Brahma, dating to the 12th-13th century, was discovered in 1985 at the Duong Long Tower. Brahma, the supreme god and creator of the universe, is the foremost of the three main Hindu deities. The other two are Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer). Brahma is often depicted with three heads in bas-relief form, each representing a Veda. Some sources say he was born from a lotus flower emerging from Vishnu's navel. Brahma's mount is the sacred goose Hamsa.

Two stone lion statues from the Do Ban Citadel, dating to the late 11th century, were discovered in 1992 near the Canh Tien Tower within the citadel. These Champa sculptures were recognized as national treasures last year. The lions, in a half-lying, half-standing posture, are unique in known Champa art. Researchers consider them a distinctive form in the history of Champa lion sculpture.

One of the lion statues is missing its base but retains its fundamental shape. In Hindu legend, the lion is one of Vishnu's incarnations. Having slain the demon Hiranyakashipu and worshipped Brahma, the lion received the gift of immortality from Vishnu. Lion statues, often in symmetrical pairs, typically flanked the entrances of Champa temples and towers.

The museum also displays thousands of other artifacts from the Champa kingdom, including sculptures, ceramics, bas-reliefs, bricks, tiles, and weapons.

Built in 1980, the 3,960 m2 museum houses approximately 15,000 artifacts. Exhibits are dedicated to ancient Champa ceramics, Champa sculpture, Tay Son Dynasty artifacts, and the nature, land, and people of Binh Dinh. The museum is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an entrance fee of 10,000 VND per person.

Hoai Phuong

Photo: Quynh Tran