Hội An's lost shiprises from the sand

In recent days, the beach near the Thịnh Mỹ residential group (Hội An Tây Ward, Đà Nẵng City) has attracted crowds of residents and visitors keen to view the exposed remains.

Photo courtesy of Trung Đào

The hull first began surfacing in late December 2023 along the Cẩm An Ward coast (former Hội An City, Quảng Nam), about 400 metres from the ward People’s Committee office, when experts suggested the find could be an “ancient ship treasure” due to its then near-intact condition.

Initially discovered in 2023, the at least 17.4m vessel was re-submerged before the authorities could reclaim it. AFP/VNA Photo

Local resident Nguyễn Văn Hoài, 62, from the Tân Thành residential group, said the ship lies beneath coastal dunes near an old French-built red-earth road. Years of shoreline erosion, storms, and wave action have steadily stripped away the sand, revealing the structure.

Preliminary surveys and material assessments by the Hội An Centre for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation indicate that it is a large, sturdily built vessel constructed from durable timbers such as bằng lăng (săng lẻ), kiền kiền, and pine. Traces of a waterproofing compound suggest it was designed for long voyages, possibly for maritime trade or naval use.

Although radiocarbon dating has yet to be completed, the ship’s former inland position and its structural and material similarities with traditional wrecks elsewhere in Southeast Asia point to a date between the mid-14th and 16th centuries.

The discovery reflects a thriving maritime era that predated large-scale Western seafaring in the region and appears to be among the best-preserved ancient ship remains in both Southeast and East Asia.

Recent heavy rain and flooding linked to Typhoon Fengshen have further eroded the coast, exposing additional sections of the hull.
The Heritage Centre has recorded a beam of more than five metres and an exposed length of 17.4 metres, with frames, side planks, bulkheads and ribs clearly visible.
Tidal changes continue to alternately bury and reveal sections of the vessel.

Photo courtesy of Trung Đào

A SIGNIFICANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY

The Hội An Heritage Centre emphasised that the ship is a unique and vivid physical testament to a vibrant period of maritime trade in the East Sea. For centuries, Hội An’s coastal zone held a strategic position on major international sea routes linking East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and the West, forming part of the global maritime trade network.

Phạm Phú Ngọc, Deputy Director of the Hội An Heritage Centre, said the centre has implemented temporary protective measures, such as installing restricted-area signs, coordinating with locals to monitor the site and urging Hội An Tây Ward authorities to educate residents and tourists to avoid disturbing or digging around the area.

“With the coastline severely eroded and the artefact frequently exposed to destructive weather conditions, the risk of damage is very high without immediate preservation measures. Therefore, the centre recommends initiating procedures for emergency excavation and preliminary conservation,” Ngọc said.

He added that whether the ship will be salvaged or preserved in situ depends on actual conditions. Salvage itself is not difficult, but preserving the vessel once removed from its natural environment poses major challenges. Without proper conditions, the structure could deteriorate rapidly. As such, every option will be carefully evaluated, and international experts—including those from Japan—may be invited for consultation. — VNS

“With the coastline severely eroded and the artefact frequently exposed to destructive weather conditions, the risk of damage is very high without immediate preservation measures. Therefore, the centre recommends initiating procedures for emergency excavation and preliminary conservation,”

Phạm Phú Ngọc, Deputy Director of the Hội An Heritage Centre