Po Shanu Cham towers and old fort, Mui Ne

Po Shanu Cham Towers are not the finest examples of Cham architecture, having long been stripped of their adornments by time and some heavy handed restoration. But this is a significant site - and deserves a far more thorough description for visitors than what is provided.

The proximity of the towers to Mui Ne make them a worthwhile stop - especially if you haven’t visited more impressive ruins at My Son, outside of Hoi An or Po Nagar in Nha Trang.

There are two high towers and one smaller building dating from the 9th century. There is very little historical information available at the site. An opportunity to engage locals and visitors in the rich historical tales of the site is lost.

The Cham empire reached its zenith in the 9th and 10th centuries when it extended from Hue to the Mekong Delta. By the end of the 15th century it had suffered successive defeats at the hands of the Vietnamese whose push south was inexorable. By the end of the 18th century there were only a small number of Cham settlements in Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Phan Rang and Phan Rí provinces. A small but visible Cham minority continues to live in these regions.

Continue past the Cham towers to the site of a Palace and fortress. Said to have been built by a French nobleman, all of the palace was destroyed in a Viet Minh attack in 1947. The French and later South Vietnamese used the fortress in their campaigns against Ho Chi Minh’s communists. 

A monument marks the Viet Minh attack in which the palace was levelled.

With thanks to Andrew Wright

Travel tips.
Located between Mui Ne and Phan Thiet on the main road.