Protecting historical artifacts at the Hoang Sa Exhibition House.

This is not just an ordinary fishing boat hull; it's the hull of a Vietnamese vessel that was illegally sunk by a Chinese iron-hulled ship.

Currently, the hull of the ship is preserved by Da Nang city as an important historical artifact, a valuable historical document aimed at fostering patriotism in the younger generation, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the sea and islands, and protecting the homeland and nation against all acts of aggression.

The fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS is a wooden vessel owned by Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa, Thanh Khe Ward, Da Nang City. The vessel has an engine power of 450 HP and a maximum carrying capacity of 17.66 tons. The general structure of this type of fishing vessel includes: main keel (ship frame), bow (piercing frame), frame, hull, deck (floor), cabin, storage hold, steering system, stern frame, etc.

On May 26, 2014, while fishing in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, a sea area under Vietnamese sovereignty , the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS was rammed and sunk by a Chinese iron-hulled vessel.

Protecting historical artifacts at the Hoang Sa Exhibition House - photo 1 — The hull of the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS, preserved and protected, is an important historical testament to Vietnam's will to protect its territorial integrity and maritime sovereignty.

This incident occurred in the context of China's illegal placement of the Haiyang 981 oil rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

By May 30, 2014, the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS had been towed back to Da Nang port by the transport vessel VT 57.

Recognizing the immense historical significance of the ship, Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa decided to preserve its current state and donate the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS to Da Nang city. Her wish is that the city will organize the preservation and display of this ship's hull as irrefutable evidence denouncing China's outrageous actions.

In April 2019, the remains of the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS were brought to the Hoang Sa Exhibition House for display in the grounds outside.

On October 27, 2021, the Hoang Sa Special Zone assigned the Hoang Sa Exhibition House the task of protecting, managing, and utilizing the remains of the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS. The goal is to serve the purpose of exhibition and education, fostering patriotism and the protection of maritime sovereignty among future generations.

Mr. Le Tien Cong, Director of the Hoang Sa Exhibition House, said: “From 2014 to 2019, this ship was kept in the Tho Quang dock. Before that, when Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa bought it, this traditional wooden ship was already decades old, so when it was brought to the open air without a roof, the artifact was directly and continuously exposed to harsh natural elements. The Hoang Sa Exhibition House also faced certain difficulties in conservation and management, including the challenge of preserving the artifact intact.”

Protecting historical artifacts at the Hoang Sa Exhibition House - photo 2 — This is one of the largest fishing boat hulls in Da Nang.

After being assigned the task by the city to protect, manage, and utilize the artifact of the fishing vessel hull ĐNa 90152 TS, the Hoang Sa Exhibition House has proactively implemented the work of preserving and repairing the artifact periodically, regularly cleaning and treating for termites on all the artifacts.

For the rusted equipment and bolts on the ship's hull, the unit has applied anti-rust paint. However, because the fishing vessel is old and displayed outdoors, in a fixed location and directly exposed to sea winds and storms, the rate of corrosion and rust is very rapid, requiring more drastic intervention and a longer-term preservation solution to prevent further damage to the artifact.

In 2022, during the restoration and reconstruction phase, the Hoang Sa Exhibition House dismantled damaged hatch covers, cleaned the areas requiring replacement, and installed new, fabricated covers; dismantled and removed rotten or damaged beams, ribs, deck planks, and sideboards according to the technician's instructions and markings; installed new parts into the ship's frame and hull, ensuring the correct position, shape, and size of the replaced parts; and implemented measures to prevent termite and insect infestation.

In 2023 and 2024, regular cleaning and termite control spraying were carried out to prevent termites and other insects from affecting the structure of the artifacts. Reinforcement of the hatch cover was also performed, repairs were carried out on the bow and stern areas of the ship, and the crane supports for the artifacts were reinforced to enhance structural stability.

“Because it is placed outdoors and exposed to the elements, rain, and storms, the hull of the ship must be repainted annually. We also consider the possibility of damage beyond natural factors; this is a special historical artifact made of wood, so we cannot rule out risks and impacts from various sources. The unit has worked with security agencies, equipped a surveillance camera system, assigned guards, and will remind people if there is any risk from human activity. The repair and restoration work is carried out by experts with extensive experience in handling ships and must ensure the principles of artifact preservation.”

"The hull of the fishing vessel ĐNa 90152 TS has been preserved annually. However, this is a special artifact, permanently displayed and no longer used for fishing. Therefore, developing and implementing a comprehensive and in-depth preservation plan is extremely necessary and urgent to protect and safeguard this valuable historical artifact for the long term," Mr. Le Tien Cong shared.

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