Sink the Sheng Li ship to develop tourism or sell scrap?

A tourism company in Ho Chi Minh City has proposed sinking the Sheng Li cargo ship, currently anchored in Con Dao, in order to turn it into a high-end diving destination. This proposal is attracting mixed opinions about its feasibility and economic efficiency.

Sink the Sheng Li ship to exploit tourism instead of selling scrap metal

Speaking to a reporter from the Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Ngo Tuan Tu, Director of Amadive Travel Services Company Limited, said that the company had surveyed the actual condition of the ship. The ship's hull had seriously deteriorated, with many rusty patches; inside there was a large amount of waste and thick grease; equipment such as the main engine, auxiliary engine, generator, and propeller were all broken and contaminated with salt water.

According to Mr. Tu, if the ship is auctioned to recover scrap metal, the budget will only be collected once. On the contrary, sinking the ship to make a diving spot can create a sustainable tourism product, attracting visitors in the long term. "Many countries in the world have applied this model, turning abandoned ships into famous diving spots, bringing in a stable source of income. Vietnam can absolutely try it out," Mr. Tu said.

The company estimates the cost of sinking the ship at around VND1 billion, located at Hon Tai (Con Dao) at a depth of around 30m. The company expects the large size of the Sheng Li ship to create a diverse exploration space for divers of many skill levels. "This scale can be compared to the sunken warships in Coron, Philippines (100-160m long), which are very attractive due to their large size and the ability to allow divers to explore inside," said Mr. Tu.

Đánh chìm tàu Sheng Li để phát triển du lịch hay bán phế liệu? - Ảnh 1.

Đánh chìm tàu Sheng Li để phát triển du lịch hay bán phế liệu? - Ảnh 2. — Current condition of Sheng Li ship hull

Scrap iron auction price 1.7 billion VND

The cargo ship Sheng Li was discovered by fishermen drifting freely near Con Dao about two years ago. After being towed and anchored by authorities, the ship unexpectedly became a "check-in" spot attracting tourists.

Unable to find the owner, the government of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province (formerly) decided to auction the ship. According to the records, Sheng Li was built in 2002, carrying frozen goods, and is now severely degraded. The starting price for the auction is 1.7 billion VND.

The individual or organization that wins the auction of the Sheng Li ship can only use it to recover scrap, not to convert it for use, nor to use it for other purposes. All proceeds, after deducting processing costs, will be deposited into the temporary account of the Department of Finance at the State Treasury, managed and used according to regulations.

In June 2025, in parallel with the auction plan, Amadive Company submitted a proposal to the Provincial People's Committee asking for permission to sink the ship in a suitable location to develop diving tourism. This proposal is currently being considered by relevant departments and branches.