Solemn 500-year-old stone tower to worship an official of Le Dynasty
The solemn Am Thap (The tower of Am) was built to worship Le Am, a distinguished official in Le Dynasty.
 |
| Am Thap, also known as Cam Due Tower, was built in the 16th century on an area of over 2,000 square meters in Quang Trung village, Cam Due commune, Cam Xuyen district, Ha Tinh province. The tower complex also includes a shrine, elephant statue,... The work is ranked as a national architectural monument in 2006. Am Thap worships Le Am, a Le Dynasty official. He was granted the privilege by King Le Loi to choose the good land to bury his body after death. After his death, the king granted him the title of "God of the Citadel of Phuong Cai Village". (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| The top of the tower is made of a monolith. The body of the tower Viewed from above, the tower looks like a miniature pyramid. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| The tower has a square structure, over 3m high, includes 3 floors (excluding the base and feet). In front of the tower lies a censer. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| The tower has 5 doors, in which three doors are located in the front direction from the first floor to the third floor, the rest are designed on the sides of the second floor. Above the doorway facing the main direction on the second floor, there are 5 ancient Chinese characters to praise the diligence. The inscription on the 3rd floor is the moon and sun to praise the work of the ancients. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| On the second floor of the tower, there are also 2 stone statues. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| Some parts of the tower are covered with moss. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| Since its construction, the tower has undergone a big restoration in 2009 - 2011. The authorities have renewed the shrine, built a three-door gate, and surrounded by a brick wall system. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| The three-door system of three gates was newly built in 2011. Above the roof of the gate is designed in the shape of a dragon and a phoenix with stylized patterns. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| In front of the entrance to the tower, there are two pairs of stone horses and elephants facing each other. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| Inside the shrine, there is an altar and a censer for visitors to pay tribute to Mr. Le Am. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| Behind the shrine is the entrance to the stone tower with two doors made of plank wood. (Photo: VN Express) |
 |
| Currently, Duong Van Long's family, 32 years old, residing in Cam Due Commune, Cam Xuyen District, Ha Tinh Province is appointed by the local authority to look after the tower. Every other day, Mr. Long and his relatives go by to clean around the tower complex. When there are tourists visiting, he guides them where to burn incense and introduces them the history of the tower. Every year, Am Thap welcomes thousands of tourists to sightsee, and pay respect to Le Am, as well as study the historical values of architecture here. (Photo: VN Express) |
 | Indulging in magnificent beauty of Som Rong Pagoda with impressive architecture When coming to Som Rong Pagoda, tourists and photographers usually consider it a favorite destination with the giant reclining Buddha statue. |
 | Linh Quang Pagoda (Dien Bien): The cultural and religious corner for people living along the border Lying on Tong Khao hill, Thanh Nua commune, Dien Bien District, Dien Bien province, Linh Quang Pagoda is around 5 kilometers away from the city ... |
 | Centenarian solemn Khmer pagodas in Western Vietnam Vietnam’s southwestern region has long acquired its reputation for an abundance of Khmer pagodas with ancient and unique architectures drawing the influx of tourists. |
Related Stories
Travel
Top Coral Reef Diving Destinations in Viet Nam for Summer 2026
Viet Nam's long coastline and thousands of offshore islands have created ideal conditions for thriving coral reef ecosystems. As summer travel peaks in 2026, destinations including Hon Mun, Cu Lao Cham, Phu Quoc, Vinh Hy, and Con Dao are expected to attract travelers eager to explore vibrant underwater landscapes through snorkeling and scuba diving.
July 16, 2026 | 09:20
National
Vietnam News Today (July 12): Vietnam Ready to Share Digital Transformation Experience with Timor-Leste
Vietnam News Today (July 12): Vietnam, Belgium boost parliamentary cooperation, deepen bilateral relations; Vietnam ready to share digital transformation experience with Timor-Leste; WB offers strategic recommendations as Vietnam enters upper-middle-income group.
July 12, 2026 | 18:26
Recommended
Travel
Leveraging Cuisine to Elevate Vietnam's Tourism Brand
On July 13, the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a seminar titled “Cuisine and the development of Vietnam’s tourism”. The seminar gathered managers, experts, researchers, and businesses to recommend solutions to bringing cuisine values into play as a cultural resource, contributing to enhancing competitiveness and creating Vietnam’s tourism brand in the context of international integration.
July 14, 2026 | 21:09
Travel
Ho Chi Minh City Boosts Tourism Revenue Through High-Value Visitor Strategy
Ho Chi Minh City orientates tourism development linked to urban economy, night-time economy, culture industry and experience economy, changing from event organizing model to developing event economy model.
July 13, 2026 | 14:53
Travel
Vietnam Ranks First in Number of Foreigners with Long-Term Stays in RoK
According to a report released by Statistics Korea on July 9, Vietnam ranked first in the number of foreign nationals entering the RoK for long-term stays in 2025, with approximately 98,000 people. Vietnamese citizens accounted for the largest share among foreigners staying in the country for more than 90 days.
July 12, 2026 | 18:29
Travel
Bringing Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine Closer to Europe and the World
On the evening of July 8, at Pho Saigon Restaurant in Vienna, Austria, the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, in coordination with the We Love Pho Association, the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, and Vietnamese culinary artisans and experts, organized a program titled “Pho and Culinary Culture: Bringing Vietnamese Identity Closer to Europe and the World.”The event was one of the stops on the Journey of Pho and Vietnamese Culinary Culture Across Europe, contributing to the promotion of Vietnam’s image, people, and cultural values to international friends.
July 12, 2026 | 18:27
Travel
Russian Arrivals to Vietnam Nearly Triple in First Half of 2026
In the first six months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed more than 742,000 Russian visitors, 2.8 times higher than in the same period last year. This strong recovery has made Russia the third-largest source market for Vietnam's tourism industry, behind only China and the Republic of Korea.
July 11, 2026 | 16:31
Travel
French Magazine Highlights Must-Try Dishes of Vietnam Cuisine
In early July, French magazine Biba Magazine published an article stating that Vietnam attracts French travelers not only with its landscapes but also with its diverse and refined cuisine. The magazine introduced a range of dishes and culinary experiences that it considers unmissable when visiting the S-shaped country.
July 04, 2026 | 06:43
Travel
Vietnam Gains Growing Appeal on the Regional Tourism Map
Southeast Asia is considered to be a destination for budget-conscious, mass-market travelers. However, according to Fortune magazine, international experts believe that Vietnam is shifting towards a high-quality tourism development model, targeting higher-spending tourists with longer stays.
July 02, 2026 | 07:13
Travel
Can Tho Diversifies Tourism Products to Attract More Visitors
Tourism activities in Can Tho have continued to recover strongly during the first months of 2026, maintaining solid growth momentum. This positive transformation has further reinforced tourism's position as a key economic sector and an important driver of the city's overall development.
July 01, 2026 | 09:11