Proposal to protect and promote the value of ancient boats discovered in Bac Ninh

Regarding the ancient boat discovered in Bac Ninh, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) has just issued a document requesting the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province to arrange forces in the area to protect safety, security and order in the area where the ancient boat was discovered and excavated.

In document No. 6587/BVHTTDL-DSVH sent to the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province on the protection and promotion of the value of ancient boats discovered in Cong Ha quarter, Song Lieu ward, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also requested the locality to prevent and promptly handle all activities that endanger the safety of ancient boats and relics and antiquities. Organize propaganda for the people about the protection of cultural heritage in the area where the ancient boats were discovered. Urgently organize an assessment, accurately determine the type of relics, nature and age of the archaeological site; propose to organize conferences and seminars to advise on solutions for management, conservation and promotion of values ​​according to the provisions of law on cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province to direct the competent authorities to promptly develop and submit for approval plans and solutions to protect and promote the value of the excavation site and measures to adjust, preserve and establish scientific records for ancient boat relics in compliance with the provisions of the law on cultural heritage in 2024.

Ancient boat discovered in Bac Ninh.

Previously, in March 2025, the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province issued Decision No. 371/QD-UBND on the urgent excavation of ancient boat relics in Cong Ha quarter, Ha Man ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province. After conducting the archaeological excavation, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province coordinated with the Institute of Archaeology to conduct a preliminary report on the results of the excavation and research on ancient boats, with the participation of scientists and leading experts in archaeology, history, conservation and museums.

The initial preliminary value assessment results show that the discovered boat is a type of catamaran. The remains discovered at the scene are the two remaining hulls (this part in technical terms is called the water-displacing part, which is the structural part completely submerged under water, functioning as two buoys supporting the entire upper structure). The upper structure has been completely lost (possibly due to being dismantled). Although the age of the boat cannot be determined yet, and there are no C14 dating results, it is possible to confirm the presence of this type of boat in Vietnamese history, specifically the Ly dynasty through historical records.

The uniqueness and uniqueness of the ancient boat is that it was built entirely of wood, without using iron in the structural and connecting parts of the boat. Based on the sources of documents about ancient boats in Vietnam and around the world , scientists assess that this is a boat relic with a complex scale, structure and technique, the only one discovered so far not only in Vietnam but also internationally. Especially in the connecting structure at the head (bow) and stern of the boat, specifically in the connecting block between the dugout at the bottom and the protruding parts at the bow and stern has never been found anywhere in the world...

Source: https://cand.com.vn/van-hoa/de-nghi-bao-ve-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-thuyen-co-phat-hien-tai-bac-ninh-i790207/