On the morning of November 8, crowds gathered at Tan Thanh Beach in Hoi An Tay Ward as the shipwreck, believed to date from the late 14th to 16th century, resurfaced after months buried under sand.
The shipwreck re-emerges on Tan Thanh Beach on November 9 (Photo by Hoai Son)
The wreck was first detected on December 26, 2023, about 400 metres from the headquarters of Cam An Ward People’s Committee in Hoi An City, which formerly belonged to Quang Nam Province, before it was buried by shifting sand and remained hidden for months.
More than half of the vessel had again been submerged by November 10.
Learning from previous incidents, local authorities fenced off the site using wooden stakes and warning tape to prevent the wreck from disappearing again.
The shipwreck is believed to date from the late 14th to 16th century (Photo by Hoai Son)
Quang Van Quy, deputy director of the Hoi An Centre for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, said the centre is seeking approval from the Danang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism for an emergency excavation to support further research and future display.
Although final dating is pending, initial assessments suggest the vessel likely dates to the late 14th to 16th century.
A 2024 study by the heritage centre and experts from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCM City found that the large vessel used construction techniques combining Southeast Asian and Chinese traditions, and may be a rare, near-intact artefact.
Quy said the main challenge lies in underwater excavation and securing resources for conservation. The wood has absorbed heavy salt after prolonged submersion, making desalination technically demanding and costly.
