Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Nguyen Thu Phuong, deputy director of Danang's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the project had also been slowed by administrative restructuring following recent boundary changes.
The department has asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for approval to carry out an emergency excavation, she said.
However, the project is technically complex, involves a large number of artefacts, requires significant funding and must be carried out by specialists in underwater archaeology.
"We must proceed carefully to ensure compliance with the law and protect the artefacts," Phuong said.
The department is working with local authorities to safeguard the site and preserve the exposed remains while completing documents for submission to the Danang People's Committee for approval of an excavation plan.
The wooden vessel was discovered on December 26, 2023, after part of its frame emerged from sand along the shoreline in Hoi An. At the time, about 15 metres of the hull and three metres in width were exposed.
A detailed survey conducted in 2024 by the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Preservation Centre, the Danang Museum and other agencies found the vessel combined features of traditional Southeast Asian and Chinese shipbuilding.
Researchers said it had a Southeast Asian-style keel, multiple hull planks and tropical hardwood construction, while also featuring Chinese-style bulkheads, decking and iron fastenings.
Experts believe the ship dates from between the mid-14th and 16th centuries and could provide valuable insights into regional maritime trade if fully excavated and studied.
