Leaning tower: Experts will start emergency repairs on tower B3 of My Son Sanctuary, which is currently in danger of collapsing. — Photo dtdtqnam.gov.vn

DA NANG (VNS)— Another of the world famous Cham towers in central Viet Nam is in danger of collapsing.

Experts from the Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration with Quang Nam Province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will start emergency repairs on the tower, known as B3, in the My Son Sanctuary this week.

The tower is 5m away from a complex of towers B, C and D. It's the first tower that has been repaired in My Son, however other towers have been fully or partly restored over the years.

The UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site at My Son is the most visited site in the province, together with Hoi An and Cham Island.

Director of the Management Centre for Relics and Tourist Landscapes, Phan Hong Cam, told Viet Nam News yesterday that the Cham tower had started tilting towards the southwest four months ago.

"We found cracks on the entrance arch and discovered that the foundations on one side had sunk by eight degrees, calling for emergency repairs," Cam said.

"Experts and engineers from the institute and our experts have been discussing ways to fix the tower, and emergency repairs will start this week," he said.

"Steel cages will be placed in the middle of the tower and steel supports on the walls. All materials have been approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism."

The move is only a temporary solution to save the tower from ending up a heap of rubble.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will submit a long-term restoration programme for the tower next year. — VNS