The Avalokitesvara Bac Binh statue, a symbol of ancient Cham art, has received official national recognition.
The Avalokitesvara Bac Binh statue, a remarkable Cham art relic from the 8th-9th century, has officially been recognized as a national treasure, honoring the historical and cultural heritage of the south-central region of Vietnam.
On the morning of September 14, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province held a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister's decision recognizing the Avalokitesvara Bac Binh statue as a national treasure.
Dating back to the 8th-9th century, the Avalokitesvara Bac Binh statue was first discovered by locals in 1945 while clearing land for farming in Thanh Kiet village, Hong Thai commune (formerly Bac Binh district, Binh Thuan province, now part of Lam Dong). At the same time, four other stone statues were also unearthed.
In 1996, local residents buried the statue in their garden for safekeeping. Then, in 2001, during the construction of a gate foundation in Hong Chinh village, the statue was rediscovered and later handed over to the local museum for preservation.
Carved from fine-grained gray-black sandstone, the statue stands 61 cm tall and weighs 13 kg. Researchers consider it a rare historical artifact that not only illustrates cultural exchange but also embodies the cultural achievements of the Cham civilization over many centuries.
According to experts, the statue reflects a significant transitional phase in Cham sculpture, from the artistic style of the 7th-8th century to the peak Tra Kieu style of the 9th century. Its recognition as a national treasure not only celebrates its artistic and cultural value but also affirms the rich historical heritage of the South Central Coast and the distinct identity of Cham culture.