The statue, with the right hand and part of thepedestal broken, is 140cm high and dates back to about the 6th – 7th century.

It was discovered by a resident in Hoa Thanhcommune of Tam Binh district while mining sand on the Co Chien River inNovember 2016. Later, this resident donated the statue to Phuoc An Pagoda inXuan Hiep commune of Tra On district.
In March 2017, staff of the Vinh Long Museumcame to Phuoc An Pagoda to learn about this statue, which was then handed overto the museum for preservation.
Deputy Director of the Vinh Long Department ofCulture, Sports and Tourim Le Thanh Hien said on November 14 the antiquity is aparticularly rare object that will help with research into local history, especiallythe appearance of Indian culture and religion in Vietnam.
It is also valuable to archeological, cultural, religious,aesthetic and craft technique research, Hien added.
Vinh Long authorities rewarded the statue finderand Phuoc An Pagoda for the discovery and presentation of the object toauthorities.-VNA