The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has agreed in principle to an emergency archaeological excavation of an ancient wooden ship found off Hội An, Tiền Phong reported on October 23. The dig is expected in 2027.
Tán Văn Vương, deputy director of Da Nang's culture, sports and tourism department, told the city's third-quarter press briefing that the city asked the ministry for approval. The Hội An World Heritage Conservation Centre is finishing the plan with agencies and experts.
Part of the hull was first seen under sand at the water's edge in Hội An Tây Ward in late 2023, about 15 metres long and 3 metres wide. A 2024 survey describes a large vessel with Southeast Asian features, built of bằng lăng and kiền kiền wood, which experts date to roughly the 14th to 16th century.
The wreck lies on a public beach inside the coastal erosion-control project area, and keeping it in place was judged unworkable. The ministry asked authorities to plan how the ship will be moved and stored once lifted from the sand.
Sources
This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.
