Cham Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm city has become a center for the maintenance of Cham culture. Much of the city is occupied by
Cham people where they have rice paddies, orchards of grapes and peaches, flocks of goats and
Brahman cattle. Their towers (the 'Thap') are beautiful memorials to their kings and queens. There are several Cham sites with dilapidated towers along the central coast of Vietnam and major sites in
Mỹ Sơn and
Nha Trang. However, there are two sites in the Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm being maintained and culturally active. Two kilometers west of the
Tháp Chàm Railway Station, there is excellent hilltop Cham tower complex dedicated to the king
Po Klong Garai, the last reigning king; his likeness is depicted on a
lingam in the sanctuary of the central tower. A second tower for the king
Po Rome is located about 20 km south west of Tháp Chàm, via Phu Quy to Phuoc Huu and the village Hau Sanh; this tower is undergoing extensive renovation (July 2012). The towers are currently used for the very colorful Cham festivals, particularly "
Kate festival" in October (15 Oct in 2012) when they still sacrifice a bullock and other food offerings. Other ceremonies for
Ramadan, a Rain Festival (as required), weddings and other celebrations are also held. Apart from the incorporation of Islam into their cultural and religious practice, another point of cultural difference is that their heredity line is maternal. The animist foundation of Cham culture, with fire motif on the towers, rustic traditions and very colorful ceremonial dress makes the Cham culture an ideal tourist resource for Vietnam, as yet poorly developed. Architecturally, the towers are intricately built in small red bricks, almost dry stone construction with very fine mortar lines. The towers are topped by calyx like minarets, arches are rimmed by special bricks fired with tongue like extensions on the extremities to represent flames; it is very intricate brick work requiring sophisticated engineering to deal with the overhang. Associated with the Po Klong Garai complex there is a cultural center, more functionally built with concrete, bricks, mortar and render, but at least with some of the line of the Cham architecture and housing a display of cultural and handi-works, and excellent photographs and paintings by Cham artists.
Cuisine •
Grilled rice paper is a snack originating from Phan Rang, then widely spread in
Da Lat,
Phan Thiet and popular in
Ho Chi Minh City. •
Banh Can is a popular dish of Phan Rang, originating from the cuisine of the Cham, later further developed by the
Vietnamese and widely spread in the
South Central region. ==Tourist attractions==