LÂM ĐỒNG  The People’s Committee [Administration] of the central province of Lâm Đồng has officially announced the recognition of the Bắc Bình Avalokitesvara statue, dating back to the 8th–9th centuries, as a national treasure.

Carved from distinctive dark grey sandstone, the masterpiece stands 61cm tall and weighs 13kg. It was discovered by local farmers before 1945 while they were clearing land for cultivation in Bắc Bình.

The artefact was hidden in a local garden in 1996 and, in 2001, transferred to the Museum of former Bình Thuận province, now part of Lâm Đồng, for management, preservation, and display.

Bắc Bình Avalokitesvara is an outstanding work of the Champa-era sculpture art, reflecting the strong convergence of the Chăm and Indian cultures.

It represents a transitional period from the visual art style of the 8th–9th centuries to the golden age of Chăm artistry that flourished in the 9th–10th centuries.

Boasting excellent historical, artistic, and scientific values, the statue provides crucial insights into the religious and sculptural traditions of the Champa Kingdom.

Speaking at a ceremony on September 14, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Đinh Văn Tuấn emphasised the need to promote communications about the treasure’s values, helping raise public awareness, attract visitors, and contribute to local cultural tourism development.

The event also featured musical and artistic performances, culinary showcases, and traditional craft demonstrations from local ethnic groups. Visitors also explored exhibitions on regional culture, heritage and landscapes.

Lâm Đồng is now home to seven UNESCO-recognised elements, namely the space of the gong culture in the Central Highlands, the Đắk Nông UNESCO Global Geopark, the art of đờn ca tài tử music and song, the art of pottery of the Chăm people, the Woodblocks of the Nguyễn Dynasty, the Langbiang Biosphere Reserve and Đà Lạt’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

The province also boasts 10 national intangible cultural heritage items, three special national heritage relics, and 144 historical, cultural and scenic landscape sites recognised by the State.

The Lâm Đồng Museum is preserving 112,235 valuable artefacts, including three national treasures: the Đắk Sơn Lithophone, the Golden Linga, and the Bắc Bình Avalokitesvara Statue, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. VNS