National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage Launches First Overseas Underwater Heritage Survey... Unveiling Shipwrecks in Vietnam

Test Excavation in Vinzhou Bay Waters Until the End of This Month
Transferring 50 Years of Accumulated Underwater Archaeology Expertise

Chinese pottery recovered from the seabed of the Zhuo Tuan area last July

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage announced on March 5 that, together with the Vietnam National Museum of History, it will conduct a joint underwater heritage survey in the waters of Vinzhou Bay, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam, until the end of this month.

This is the first underwater site survey conducted by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage outside Korea. The Vinzhou Bay area was once a key stopover on the maritime trade routes that connected Southeast Asia, India, and West Asia via the South China Sea. The area is known in academic circles as the "graveyard of ancient ships" due to the discovery of numerous 8th- and 9th-century shipwrecks and a large number of Chinese ceramics from the Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

The joint research team, consisting of experts from both countries, will closely examine the shipwrecks and artifacts previously identified by the Vietnamese side. Korean underwater archaeologists will directly dive into the sea to conduct test excavations and assess the condition of the artifacts.

Location Map of Chau Tuan Waters in Vinh Chau Bay, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam

An official from the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage said, "This is an academic exchange that will transfer Korea’s world-class underwater heritage survey technology, accumulated over more than 50 years, to Vietnam," adding, "Through a successful survey, we aim to shed light on the history of Asian maritime trade beneath the sea and widely promote the excellence of Korea’s underwater archaeology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.