tháp

Tháp is a Vietnamese term for a tall, freestanding architectural structure that emphasizes verticality. It covers a broad range of forms, from defensive watchtowers and city gates to religious towers and civic landmarks. The word is used in many compound terms, such as tháp nước (water tower) or tháp chuông (bell tower).

Architecturally, tháp may be built from brick, stone, or concrete and may have multiple stories and projecting roofs. In religious contexts, towers are often integrated into temples or pagodas, serving as symbolic features or as housing for ritual functions. Vietnam's Cham towers, including the Mỹ Sơn ensemble in Quảng Nam and the Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang, are well-known examples of brick and stone tháp with tiered, pyramid-like forms.

Modern usage includes towers that mark urban skylines or serve infrastructure needs, such as water towers, clock towers, observation towers, and telecommunications towers. Across Vietnamese history, tháp have been built to convey status, provide visibility, or support religious and cultural practices.