Ancient vessel resurfaces on central Vietnam coastline after Typhoon Kalmaegi

After the storm, the ancient vessel on Hoi An’s coastline has clearly emerged, revealing its full form.

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Local authorities have ordered the site to be secured and protected, while also raising awareness among residents about laws on preserving underwater cultural heritage.

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The ship was first uncovered in December 2023 in Thinh My Ward, when only a portion of its wooden posts was visible above the sand.

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At that time, authorities collaborated with experts to collect carbon dating samples to determine its age.

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However, by January 2024, rough sea conditions and high tides had buried much of the vessel under sand again.

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Currently, the Hoi An Ward People’s Committee, in coordination with the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Preservation Centre and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), is conducting research and proposing an urgent excavation to preserve the artifact.

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Ethnographic and archaeological studies indicate that the ship originally rested beneath a coastal sand dune, near a red-dirt road built by the French, which has mostly vanished due to coastal erosion.

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Historical research suggests that in 1905, the ship may have been located 700 to 800 meters from the shoreline.

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Preliminary assessments indicate that it is a traditional Dong Nam ship, blending Southeast Asian and Chinese shipbuilding techniques.

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Across Southeast Asia, more than 20 similar ships have been discovered, dating from the mid-14th to mid-16th centuries, reflecting the region’s rich maritime trade and cultural heritage.