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| Phu Dien Tower is facing a number of challenges caused by climate change |
Experts and researchers attending ‘The Conference on the Conservation and Promotion of the Value of Phu Dien Tower Architectural and Artistic Relic’, organized by Hue City Museum of History on August 21st, put forward assessments and solutions for the restoration, conservation, and promotion of the site’s value in the new period. Earlier, the expert delegation had conducted a field survey of the relic.
Concerns over climate change
Phu Dien Tower, located in Phu Vinh Commune, was discovered in 2001 by a group of workers mining titanium. At the time of its discovery, the tower was buried 5-7 metres beneath the sand.
Following its discovery, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee directed relevant agencies to carry out measures to protect, survey, and excavate the relic. Excavation results showed that the structure was a Cham Pa brick-built architectural work with a rectangular floor plan covering more than 30 square metres. It has one main entrance facing east and three false doors on the remaining sides. Inside the tower, archaeologists found a stone Yoni, along with various architectural remains and artifacts associated with Cham Pa religious beliefs.
Research findings show that Phu Dien Tower features a transitional style between My Son E1 and Hoa Lai, dating to around the early eighth century. It represents early Cham Pa architecture, with a harmonious architectural layout and decorative system that demonstrate distinctive technical and artistic skills.
The structure is considered a typical testament to the flourishing development of Cham Pa culture in Hue region and requires continued attention to its conservation and promotion. At the end of 2001, the Ministry of Culture and Information, now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, recognised Phu Dien Tower as a National-level Architectural and Artistic Relic.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Loc, Director of Hue City Museum of History, which directly manages Phu Dien Tower, said that since the site was recognized, the museum has carried out various activities in management, restoration, enhancement, promotion, and heritage education. However, because the relic is located in a coastal environment and exposed to salt-laden air, climate change, intense heat, sea winds, and blowing sand, it has gradually deteriorated, with mould and surface weathering affecting its structural components and decorative patterns.
In response, the museum has implemented a number of conservation projects, including foundation reinforcement, measures to prevent tilting and subsidence, raising the entire tower, constructing a protective shelter, improving the landscape and drainage system, and installing fire prevention and lightning protection systems.
However, in recent years, the relic has frequently been flooded during the rainy and stormy season. At the peak of the 2025 rainy and stormy season, Phu Dien Tower was submerged under 60cm of water. Each time flooding occurs, the museum has to mobilize pumps to drain the water.
What is the best way to conserve Phu Dien Tower?
According to Mr. Loc, Hue City Museum of History recently collaborated with the Central Institute for Construction Science and Technology to survey the current condition of the structure, collect material samples for testing, and conduct geological drilling.
The results showed that the exterior architecture has basically retained its original form as recorded in images taken when the tower was first excavated. From the foundation to the main structure, Phu Dien Tower was built as a solid structure using solid bricks and remains usable. However, measures are needed to address cracked and weathered areas to prevent further deterioration and the spread of brick weathering.
The survey also found that the old bricks have experienced some surface weathering. However, the process is very slow and is accelerated by other factors such as rain and wind, leading to the gradual erosion of the surface. Over the long term, this could lead to the collapse of sections of the masonry, making technical solutions necessary to protect the surface of the old brickwork.
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| Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoa, a researcher, puts forward a number of ideas for the conservation of Phu Dien Tower at the conference |
Among the many concerns, experts are most worried about sea-level rise and extreme rainfall, which could leave the structure deeply submerged for extended periods. Mr. Le Van Quang, an engineer and former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Construction Science and Technology, said it was necessary to consider raising the tower structure or cutting the piles to lift the entire tower foundation by 80-100cm. However, he stressed that the option would require careful and thorough study as it could violate regulations and alter the appearance of the relic.
"But if the tower is raised, can it withstand storms?" Mr. Quang asked. The expert also suggested another conservation option involving brick reinforcement, although this would need to be carried out regularly and periodically.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tran Minh Duc, former Director of the Central Institute for Construction Science and Technology, proposed continuing with the existing protective shelter over the relic. He also recommended measures to remove salt, strengthen the surface layer, apply chemicals to prevent moisture absorption, remove mould, and improve waterproofing at all areas vulnerable to water infiltration.
Dr. Duc also warned that the relic could face deeper flooding in the future, potentially reaching 1-1.5 metres. Therefore, preparations should be made for drainage systems as well as structures to prevent groundwater from reaching the site.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoa, a researcher and former Director of Thua Thien Hue Department of Culture and Information, shared the view, saying that conservation efforts at Phu Dien Tower in recent years had been relatively effective but the site still faced many risks.
Based on the impact of previous flooding, Mr. Hoa expressed concern that flooding could become more frequent and severe in the coming years.
“There was once a proposal to relocate the tower, but in my view, that is not feasible at this time. Therefore, it should be preserved on-site,” Mr. Hoa said. He called for immediate conservation measures, including continuing to reinforce the tower’s foundation and investing in a system of underground drainage, water storage, and pumping facilities.
Experts also stressed that all proposed options need to be carefully assessed. Any intervention should be based on scientific grounds and minimise impacts on the original elements and existing values of the relic.
Images from the experts’ field survey of Phu Dien Tower ahead of the conference:
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| Phu Dien Tower was discovered in 2001 by a group of workers mining titanium |
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| Research findings show that Phu Dien Tower features a transitional style between My Son E1 and Hoa Lai, dating to around the early eighth century |
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| At the end of 2001, the Ministry of Culture and Information, now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, recognised the site as a National-level Architectural and Artistic Relic. The structure is considered a typical testament to the flourishing development of Cham Pa culture in Hue region |
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| Located in a coastal environment and exposed to salt-laden air, climate change, intense heat, sea winds, and blowing sand, the relic has gradually deteriorated |
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| A number of conservation projects have previously been carried out at Phu Dien Tower, including the installation of a protective shelter and glass panels. Among the many concerns, experts are most worried about sea-level rise and extreme rainfall, which could leave the structure deeply submerged for extended periods |
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| In response, experts have proposed investing in a drainage system, while some have called for raising the tower structure or cutting the piles to lift the entire tower foundation by 80 to100 cm. However, any intervention should be based on scientific grounds |
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| Based on the experts' recommendations, Hue City Museum of History will study and propose solutions to ensure the most effective conservation of Phu Dien Tower in the coming period |