~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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[Year 2001]

India to help restore Vietnam temples

HANOI - Indian archaeological experts will help in restoration of the famous seventh century Hindu Cham temples in central Vietnam. Vietnam's President Tran Duc Luong appreciated this gesture when he met defence minister George Fernandes, now here on an official visit.

Vietnam owes India Rs 10.4 cr in outstanding loans and interest. Fernandes told Luong that if Vietnam gave its interest and penalty, New Delhi would ``give it back to Hanoi as a grant, provided the money would be used for the restoration of the Cham temples.'' The Cham temples have been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. They were said to have been built under the influence of the Chola empire. The Hindu influence prevailed in the Cham area till the 14th century. A unique feature of these temples is that statues of Parvati, Ganesh, Buddha and Confusicious and the Shivling share the same hall.

These temples, located near the city of Dalan, are today in a bad shape. Dalan earlier used to be a major American air base. During the war, American planes bombed the area as Vietnam guerillas used to take shelter there. Today, however, Dalan is an international airport.

By Man Mohan - The Times of India - March 30, 2000.