Cham Pa culture is one of the most unique and ancient cultures in Vietnam, with a history spanning over 1,000 years. This culture is deeply influenced by Hinduism but also has interwoven elements of local culture, creating distinct values that contribute to the vibrant cultural mosaic of Vietnam.

Although the Cham Pa Kingdom has declined, its values and grand architectural works have been preserved over time. Visitors can witness the unique Cham towers in many central provinces of Vietnam. Among them, Banh It Tower, also known as Silver Tower, stands out with a history of over 1,000 years. This is considered a masterpiece of Cham architectural art, constructed from baked bricks and stone. The tower combines the styles of My Son A1 and Binh Dinh, creating a unique architectural feature. This architectural work is undoubtedly a must-visit site when in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh.

The unique Cham Pa architecture scattered throughout central Vietnam certainly attracts many visitors to explore.

In this article, let's explore all the information about Banh It Tower, Binh Dinh with Vietjet!

1. Where is Banh It Tower?

Binh Dinh is one of the two major cultural and political centers of the ancient Cham Pa Kingdom. This land preserves the memories of a powerful Cham Pa era, embodying many pinnacle elements of architectural and sculptural art. Banh It Tower is an impressive site that tourists cannot miss.

Banh It Tower is a complex of towers located on a hill in Dai Loc village, Phuoc Hiep commune, Tuy Phuoc district, Binh Dinh province. About 20km northwest of Quy Nhon city center, Banh It Tower is one of the Cham Pa relics preserved in a relatively intact state in Binh Dinh. The Banh It Tower complex was classified as a Special National Monument in 1980.

Banh It Tower is situated near where a branch of the Kon River flows. Standing majestically on a hill with a solemn and magnificent appearance, surrounded by hills and the greenery of plants, Banh It Tower is often likened to a hidden sanctuary in fairy tales. Even from hundreds of meters away, you can still admire the grandeur of this relic complex with the naked eye.

Answering the question of where Banh It Tower is, this ancient tower is located in Binh Dinh, where many Cham Pa architectural works with a history of thousands of years are preserved.

2. Overview of Banh It Tower

Banh It Tower was once named “Tour d’Argent” (French for “Silver Tower”) by the French. To this day, it is often referred to as “Silver Tower” or “It Tower.” In the J’rai (Gia Rai) language, this complex of towers is known as “Yang Mtian.” In Vietnamese, when viewed from afar, the towers resemble Banh It - a type of specialty cake in Binh Dinh, hence the name Banh It Tower.

Regarding its overall architecture, Banh It Tower is actually a complex of Cham towers consisting of four towers built from the late 11th century to the early 12th century. During the excavation of the remaining ruins, researchers believe there were many more structures at Banh It Tower, enough to form a complete religious center.

Visiting Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh, tourists feel like they are traveling back in time to the glorious era of the Cham Pa Kingdom.

Specifically, the four remaining towers in the Banh It Tower complex include:

• Gate Tower (Gopura): Located at the outermost position, about 10 meters high, it functions as the main entrance to the relic area. The Gate Tower has four doors facing East, West, South, and North, symbolizing the universe.

• Stele Tower (Posah): Located to the south of the Gate Tower, about 12 meters high, it is dedicated to the god Shiva - the destroyer in Hinduism. The Stele Tower has four levels, each representing a stage in human life: birth, aging, illness, and death.

• Main Temple (Kalan): Located at the center, about 22 meters high, it is dedicated to the god Brahma - the creator in Hinduism. The Main Temple is the tallest and most important tower in the Banh It Tower complex, featuring unique architecture and many intricate decorative patterns.

• Fire Tower (Kosagrha): Located to the west of the Main Temple, about 15 meters high, it is where Cham kings were cremated after death. The Fire Tower has three levels, each representing a type of fire: worldly fire, purifying fire, and sacred fire.

3. What does Banh It Tower have to offer?

3.1 Discover the distinctive Cham architecture

The characteristics of Cham Pa architecture in the Binh Dinh area include elements such as fluted columns, sandstone cornices, and high pointed arch doors on the towers. Banh It Tower is one of the complexes that preserves all these distinctive artistic values.

Visiting Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh, tourists feel like they are traveling back in time to the glorious era of the Cham Pa Kingdom. Each brick, intricate pattern, and majestic tower roof preserves the marks of time.

The unique Cham Pa architecture and culture at Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh are reflected in many details, including:

• Materials: Baked bricks and sandstone meticulously and skillfully assembled.

• Shape: The towers have a cylindrical shape, tapering towards the top, divided into multiple levels.

• Tower Roofs: The tower roofs are curved and cone-shaped, decorated with intricate patterns.

• Tower Doors: The arched tower doors are often adorned with statues of gods or floral patterns.

• Decorative Patterns: The towers are decorated with unique patterns, showcasing the essence of Cham Pa art such as leaf patterns, floral patterns, animal shapes, with vibrant colors and intricate lines.

The use of baked bricks and sandstone is a distinctive feature of ancient Cham Pa architecture.

 

3.2 The Majestic Shiva Statue Inside Banh It Tower

Located at the center of the Banh It Tower complex, the Main Tower (also known as Kalan) is where visitors can admire the majestic statue of Shiva seated on a lotus pedestal - a masterpiece of Cham Pa sculpture. This statue is 1.54 meters tall, 1.06 meters wide, and 0.56 meters thick, and was restored in 2013 based on the original currently displayed at the Guimet Museum in France.

3.3 Admiring the Beautiful Reliefs

In addition to its unique architecture, Banh It Tower attracts visitors with its exquisite reliefs, contributing to the immense artistic and cultural value of the site. The reliefs are carved on the walls, cornices, and tower doors, reflecting the daily life, beliefs, and worldview of the Cham Pa people during this period.

• Mythical World: Hindu gods such as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Ganesha, and others are depicted in a grand and powerful manner.

• Sacred Animals: Elephants, tigers, buffaloes, and bulls are revered by the Cham Pa people, symbolizing strength, bravery, and loyalty.

• Decorative Patterns: Leaf patterns, cloud patterns, and animal patterns are intricately carved, adding a splendid beauty to the reliefs.

• Scenes of Daily Life: Agricultural activities, hunting, fishing, and other aspects of daily life are vividly depicted, reflecting the life of the Cham Pa people of that time.

3.4 Watching Traditional Martial Arts Performances

Visiting Banh It Tower in the morning, tourists will have the opportunity to watch impressive martial arts performances by students from Viet Anh Martial Arts School. These performances showcase not only strength and agility but also a harmonious combination of technique and art, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. The combination of cultural heritage and martial arts at Banh It Tower is a testament to the vibrant tradition of Binh Dinh martial arts. This is also a unique highlight that attracts visitors to explore and learn about local culture.

4. How to Get to Banh It Tower

4.1 Traveling from Quy Nhon to Banh It Tower

Banh It Tower is located about 20km northwest of Quy Nhon city center. Visitors can reach Banh It Tower by various means of transportation such as motorbike, bus, or car.

• Motorbike or Car: To get to Banh It Tower from the center of Quy Nhon, you can drive a motorbike or car via Nguyen Tat Thanh Road.

• Bus: You can take buses number 08, 58, or 66. For detailed information, you can refer to the Binh Dinh Department of Transportation website.

• Taxi or Ride-Hailing Services: The most convenient and easy way to reach Banh It Tower is by using taxi or ride-hailing services, which are available at many locations in Quy Nhon city.

4.2 Traveling to Quy Nhon

There are many ways to travel to Quy Nhon, depending on your preferences, budget, and time. Here are some of the most common ways:

• Airplane: This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Quy Nhon. Phu Cat Airport (PII) is located about 20km north of Quy Nhon city center. After arriving at Phu Cat Airport, visitors can travel to the city center by taxi, bus, or motorbike taxi. Currently, many airlines operate direct flights to Quy Nhon from various provinces. Vietjet offers ideal options with affordable prices and many amenities. Additionally, you can further reduce your travel costs with Vietjet's promotional tickets for only 0 VND (excluding taxes and fees). Note the "flash sale" time for Quy Nhon tickets: from 12:00 to 14:00 every day. See details [HERE].

Buying a flight ticket to Quy Nhon is the most convenient and fastest way to reach Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh.

• Bus: This is the most common means of transportation to Quy Nhon with reasonable prices. Many reputable bus companies operate routes from various provinces to Quy Nhon. 

• • The travel time by bus from Hanoi to Quy Nhon is about 24 hours, and from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon is about 8 hours. 

  • The bus fare from Hanoi to Quy Nhon ranges from 500,000 to 700,000 VND, and from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon ranges from 150,000 to 300,000 VND.

• Train: Quy Nhon Railway Station (QN) is about 4km from the city center. There are currently many train routes from various provinces to Quy Nhon, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. 

• • The travel time by train from Hanoi to Quy Nhon is about 30 hours, and from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon is about 15 hours. 

  • The train fare from Hanoi to Quy Nhon ranges from 700,000 to 1,500,000 VND, and from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND.

• Personal Vehicle

• • Traveling to Quy Nhon by motorbike is an exciting experience, allowing visitors to explore the beautiful scenery along the way. However, this mode of transportation is suitable for visitors from nearby areas. Visitors should be cautious as the travel route can be dangerous without experience. 

  • Additionally, visitors can travel to Quy Nhon by private car or rent a car. The distance from Hanoi to Quy Nhon is about 1,500km, and from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon is about 500km. Visitors should prepare all necessary vehicle documents, insurance, and weather-appropriate clothing.

5. Notes for Exploring Banh It Tower

5.1 Visiting Hours and Ticket Prices for Banh It Tower

• Opening Hours: 07:00 - 18:00

• Reference Ticket Price: 20,000 VND/person. Ticket prices may change during holidays or according to local regulations.

Additionally, you should prepare some small change to pay for parking fees if traveling by motorbike or car.

5.2 Ideal Time to Visit Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh

To have a pleasant trip to Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh, you should choose the right time:

• The dry season (from January to August) is the ideal time to visit Banh It Tower and other tourist spots in Binh Dinh. This is when the weather in Binh Dinh is quite nice, with clear skies, little rain, and warm sunshine, making it convenient for traveling and sightseeing.

• It is best to avoid visiting Banh It Tower from September to December as this is the rainy season. During this period, Banh It Tower is still open to visitors, but you should check the weather forecast before going to avoid heavy rain. Additionally, you should bring an umbrella, raincoat, or light jacket to prepare for sudden rain.

Read more: Travel to Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh: Visit the famous "land of martial arts" in Central Vietnam

With its unique architecture and strong Cham Pa cultural imprints, along with the interesting information provided, Banh It Tower in Binh Dinh is surely one of the ideal destinations, making your journey to explore Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh more exciting.

Moreover, your trip to Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh will be even more complete when you choose to buy a flight ticket to Quy Nhon with Vietjet. Vietjet currently operates a variety of direct flights to Quy Nhon from many provinces. These flights take less than 2 hours, helping you save maximum travel time. Especially, your travel costs will also be optimally reduced with Vietjet's 0 VND flash sale ticket program.

Remember to mark the time for "hunting" 0 VND flight tickets to Quy Nhon from 12:00 to 14:00 every day. See details [HERE].

 

To update Quy Nhon flight schedules, ticket prices for the latest routes from Vietjet, as well as many other useful travel information, you can visit the following Vietjet channels:

• Fanpge: https://www.facebook.com/vietjetvietnam
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/VietjetOfficial 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vietjetvietnam
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vietjet
• Zalo: https://oa.zalo.me/vietjet