Po Shanu Cham Towers 2026: Ticket, History & Tips

The Po Shanu Cham Towers (Tháp Pô Sah Inư) are a group of three brick Champa temples built in the late 8th to early 9th century to worship Shiva, on Ba Nai hill in Phu Thuy ward, about 7 km from central Phan Thiet on the road to Mui Ne. They are a national architectural relic (1991) with sea views; entry costs about 10,000–20,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily, roughly 7:00–17:00, with a small entrance fee of about 10,000–20,000 VND. The Cham community holds ceremonies here, notably the Kate festival in the seventh month of the Cham calendar (usually around October). Since 1 July 2025 the site lies in Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province (formerly Phu Hai ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan).

Why the Po Shanu Cham Towers are worth seeing:

About 1,200 years old: some of the best-preserved Champa towers in southern Vietnam.
Hoa Lai style: an early Champa architectural style with fine brickwork.
Hilltop views: over Phan Thiet, the river mouth and the sea.
Living heritage: Cham ceremonies and festivals are still held here.
Easy stop: right on the road between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne.

Po Shanu Cham Towers at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Tháp Pô Sah Inư (Tháp Po Sah Inư, also Tháp Chăm Phố Hài)
Location	Ba Nai hill (Đồi Bà Nài), Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province (formerly Phu Hai ward, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan)
Distance	About 7 km from central Phan Thiet (15–20 minutes); about 15–20 km from the Mui Ne resort strip
Known for	Three late 8th–early 9th century Champa towers dedicated to Shiva
Recognition	National architectural and artistic relic (1991)
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:00–17:00
Entrance fee	About 10,000–20,000 VND (under US$1)
Time needed	30–60 minutes
Best time	Early morning or late afternoon; Kate festival around October
Nearby	Phan Thiet town, Mui Ne beaches, Fairy Stream, Red Sand Dunes
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia (Vietnamese)

Are the Po Shanu Cham Towers Worth Visiting?

Yes, as a short cultural stop between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. The site is small and you will not need more than an hour, but it is the best place on this coast to understand the Champa kingdom that ruled central and southern Vietnam for centuries, and the hilltop views are lovely in the late afternoon.

Best for: history lovers, photographers and anyone wanting a break from the beach.
Skip if: you have already seen larger Champa sites such as My Son Sanctuary and are short on time.
Short on time: stop for 30 minutes on your way into or out of Mui Ne.

History of the Po Shanu Cham Towers

Built for Shiva, about 1,200 years ago

The Cham people of the Champa kingdom built the temple group in the late 8th to early 9th century to worship Shiva, one of the main Hindu gods venerated in Champa. The towers follow the Hoa Lai style, one of the earliest Champa art styles, known for slender pilasters and finely laid brick without visible mortar.

Princess Po Sah Inu

In the 15th century, simple shrines were added to honour Princess Po Sah Inu, daughter of a Cham king, remembered for teaching her people wet-rice farming, weaving and husbandry. The towers have carried her name ever since.

Excavation, restoration and recognition

Archaeological excavations in 1992–1995 uncovered the foundations of collapsed temples and artefacts from the 15th century buried on the hill. The site was restored by the provincial authorities between 1990 and 2000, and in 1991 it was listed as a national architectural and artistic relic. Today it is managed as a heritage site of Lam Dong province.

What to See at the Po Shanu Cham Towers

1. The main tower

The largest tower stands about 15 m high in three tiers, with its main door facing east, the direction of the gods in Cham belief. Inside, a linga symbolises Shiva; offerings are often left by Cham worshippers.

Brick Cham tower at the Po Shanu complex, Phan Thiet — The towers stand on Ba Nai hill with views over the coast.

2. The middle and small towers

Two smaller towers stand beside the main one. Look closely at the brickwork and the false doors and pilasters typical of the Hoa Lai style.

3. Excavated foundations

Low brick foundations around the towers mark temples that collapsed and were buried for centuries before the 1990s excavations.

4. Views from Ba Nai hill

From the hilltop you can see Phan Thiet, the coast and the sea towards Mui Ne, best in the warm late-afternoon light.

5. Cham culture displays and Lau Ong Hoang

A small exhibition shows Cham costumes, pottery and photographs of Cham life. On the same hill are the ruins of Lầu Ông Hoàng, a colonial-era villa that features in local romantic lore.

Po Shanu Cham Towers Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Details
Entrance ticket	About 10,000–20,000 VND per person (under US$1)
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:00–17:00
Parking	Small fee for motorbikes and cars at the foot of the hill
Kate festival	Seventh month of the Cham calendar, usually around October

The site is run by the provincial heritage authorities and has no dedicated official website; prices are shown at the gate.

How to Visit the Po Shanu Cham Towers, Step by Step

Arrive in the early morning or after 15:30 to avoid the midday heat on the hill.
Buy your ticket at the gate and walk up the short path.
Visit the main tower first, removing hats and speaking quietly inside.
Walk around the smaller towers and foundations.
Finish at the viewpoint, then continue to Mui Ne or into Phan Thiet for dinner.

Etiquette at the towers

Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) when entering the main tower, an active place of worship.
Remove your shoes if asked and do not touch the linga or offerings.
Do not climb on the towers or foundations.
During Cham ceremonies, watch from the side and ask before taking photos.

How to Get to the Po Shanu Cham Towers

From	How	Time
Central Phan Thiet	Taxi, Grab or scooter along the coast road towards Mui Ne (about 7 km)	15–20 min
Mui Ne / Ham Tien hotels	Taxi, Grab or scooter towards Phan Thiet	20–35 min
Phan Thiet train station	Taxi or Grab	About 20–25 min
Ho Chi Minh City	Expressway to Phan Thiet; stop on the way to Mui Ne	About 3.5–4 h

Our Mui Ne and Phan Thiet transportation guide explains buses, trains and taxis.

Best Time to Visit the Po Shanu Cham Towers

When	What to expect
Early morning (7:00–9:00)	Cool, quiet and soft light
Late afternoon (15:30–17:00)	Warm light on the brick and views towards the sea
Midday	Hot and exposed on the hill
Kate festival (around October)	Cham ceremonies, music and dance; busier
December–April	Dry, sunny weather and clear views

Local Expert Tips for the Po Shanu Cham Towers

These tips come from years of arranging Mui Ne tours for international travellers.

Stop here on your transfer day between Saigon and Mui Ne; it breaks up the drive nicely.
Bring a scarf or light shirt to cover your shoulders inside the main tower.
Visit before sunset, then have seafood dinner in Phan Thiet or Mui Ne; see our Mui Ne food guide.
If you love Champa history, continue to the Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang or the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang.

Po Shanu Cham Towers vs Po Nagar Cham Towers

Feature	Po Shanu (Phan Thiet)	Po Nagar (Nha Trang)
Age	Late 8th–early 9th century	Built and rebuilt over many centuries
Dedicated to	Shiva; later honouring Princess Po Sah Inu	The mother goddess Yan Po Nagar
Size	Three towers, small site	Larger complex, busier
Setting	Quiet hill with sea views	Hill above the Cai River in Nha Trang city
Time needed	30–60 min	About 1 hour

Our view: Po Nagar is the bigger, more famous site, but Po Shanu is quieter, cheaper and perfectly placed on the way to Mui Ne; if you are only visiting Mui Ne, it is well worth an hour.

Nearby Attractions

Fairy Stream: barefoot walk past red sand cliffs, on the way to Mui Ne.
Red Sand Dunes: free dunes for sunset and sledding.
Mui Ne Fishing Village: basket boats and the dawn market.
White Sand Dunes: desert-like dunes and lotus lake further north-east.
Champa heritage elsewhere: My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO site near Hoi An.

Sightseeing in Mui Ne for First-Time Visitors: Where the Po Shanu Cham Towers Fit

Arriving from Saigon? Stop at the Po Shanu Cham Towers in the late afternoon, then check in to your hotel in Mui Ne. The next day, do the White Sand Dunes at sunrise, the fishing village, Fairy Stream and the Red Sand Dunes. Choose your base with our Mui Ne accommodation guide and read the Mui Ne travel tips.

Plan your trip with our Mui Ne travel guide and Mui Ne tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Po Shanu Cham Towers

1. Where are the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

The Po Shanu Cham Towers stand on Ba Nai hill in Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province, about 7 km from central Phan Thiet on the coast road towards Mui Ne.

2. How old are the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

The Po Shanu Cham Towers were built in the late 8th to early 9th century, making them about 1,200 years old.

3. Who built the Po Shanu Cham Towers and why?

The Cham people of the Champa kingdom built the Po Shanu Cham Towers to worship the Hindu god Shiva; shrines honouring Princess Po Sah Inu were added in the 15th century.

4. How much is the ticket for the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

The entrance fee for the Po Shanu Cham Towers is small, about 10,000–20,000 VND per person (under US$1), paid at the gate.

5. What are the opening hours of the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

The Po Shanu Cham Towers are open daily, roughly 7:00–17:00; early morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable times.

6. How many towers are there at Po Shanu?

Three towers remain at the Po Shanu Cham Towers: the main tower, about 15 m high, and two smaller towers, plus excavated foundations of collapsed temples.

7. Who was Princess Po Sah Inu?

Princess Po Sah Inu, after whom the Po Shanu Cham Towers are named, was a Cham princess remembered for teaching wet-rice farming, weaving and husbandry.

8. Are the Po Shanu Cham Towers a national relic?

Yes. The Po Shanu Cham Towers were listed as a national architectural and artistic relic of Vietnam in 1991.

9. What style are the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

The Po Shanu Cham Towers are in the Hoa Lai style, one of the earliest Champa architectural styles, known for slender pilasters and fine brickwork.

10. How long do I need at the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

30–60 minutes is enough for the Po Shanu Cham Towers, including the hilltop viewpoint.

11. How do I get to the Po Shanu Cham Towers from Mui Ne?

Take a taxi, Grab or scooter towards Phan Thiet; the Po Shanu Cham Towers are 20–35 minutes from the Mui Ne hotels. See our Mui Ne transportation guide.

12. What should I wear to the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

Wear clothes covering shoulders and knees at the Po Shanu Cham Towers, because the main tower is still a place of worship for the Cham community.

13. When is the Kate festival at the Po Shanu Cham Towers?

The Kate festival at the Po Shanu Cham Towers is held in the seventh month of the Cham calendar, usually around October, with ceremonies, music and dance.

14. Are the Po Shanu Cham Towers worth visiting?

The Po Shanu Cham Towers are worth an hour for their age, Champa history and views, especially on the drive between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne.

15. Po Shanu or Po Nagar: which Cham towers are better?

Po Nagar in Nha Trang is larger and busier, while the Po Shanu Cham Towers are smaller, quieter and convenient for Mui Ne visitors; see our Po Nagar guide.