Ancient boats in Bac Ninh have a chance to become UNESCO world heritage

The two ancient boats in Bac Ninh are themselves an important heritage document of shipbuilding techniques. The boat dock can also become a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

Two boats of the late Dong Son period

The results of C14 dating of the two artifacts known as ancient boats in Bac Ninh are not yet officially available. However, confirmation from Dr. Nguyen Viet, Director of the Southeast Asian Prehistoric Research Center, said that these two artifacts are dated 1,800 - 1,600 years ago. This result was available from May 2025 but has not been announced. Mr. Nguyen Viet himself also said that the dating could even be a few hundred years earlier, the error could be due to the sampling method. Another source said that the C14 results of the two artifacts will be announced at the same time for easy comparison. Currently, there are 3 places performing C14 dating for these two ancient boat artifacts in Bac Ninh.

However, according to Dr. Nguyen Viet, the result that these two artifacts are dated 1,800 - 1,600 years ago is not surprising. Accordingly, the two ancient boats in Bac Ninh are artifacts from the late Dong Son period. Dr. Viet reiterated that he himself, right from the "field" workshop in March 2025, affirmed that this artifact demonstrates typical Dong Son techniques. This technique is demonstrated by using dugout canoes as the bottom, joining the side planks with mortise and tenon joints, and wooden pegs to increase the height and stabilize the boat body. "Compared to the Dong Son boats that have been discovered, the ancient boats in Bac Ninh are basically similar in technique," said Dr. Nguyen Viet.

The process of searching for artifacts on an ancient ship in Bac Ninh. PHOTO: TL

Regarding the difference of the artifact, Dr. Nguyen Viet analyzed: "But the difference is that if it is a boat, it always has a head and a tail. Because it wants to move, it must have a direction, so its head must be small like a dugout canoe in the Central Highlands, that is the aerodynamics of boats in the world . In what we see as a boat shape, in reality there is no head and tail structure like that, but the head and tail are exactly the same. That means it only creates a floating object."

Dr. Nguyen Viet believes that the two ancient boats in Bac Ninh clearly have a boat structure, but it does not ensure the boat's mobility, such as having a head, a tail, and a place for oars, a rudder, etc. "I tend to think that it is a structure to float an architecture above. That is reasonable because to float, there must be a floating structure like that boat," Dr. Nguyen Viet assessed; at the same time, he said that his conclusion that this boat is not a boat is only different in function. Otherwise, the Dong Son technical element is quite clear. "The function is not to create boats to move like Dong Son boats, but I think it is a floating object," Dr. Viet stated his opinion.

Regarding the function of these two ancient boats in Bac Ninh, Dr. Nguyen Viet believes that many other factors are needed to confirm it more easily; for example, if it was a form of "ferry" for transportation, we must find more evidence of places where a tow rope could be tied.

Photo 18.2.jpg. PHOTO: TL

Dream of UNESCO cultural heritage dossier

Since the discovery of the two artifacts known as ancient boats in Bac Ninh, Dr. Nguyen Viet has had many discussions with a close expert - Professor Peter Bellwood, an Australian who specializes in Roman ships. Both experts especially appreciate the Dong Son people's knowledge of wood, water, and floating structures shown in these two artifacts. Dr. Viet also especially emphasized the superiority of this knowledge compared to the region. "It must be said that it is the best. In terms of shipbuilding techniques, the Dau River boat is the most advanced we have today. There is nothing superior in the world," said Dr. Nguyen Viet.

Remember, when the two ancient boats in Bac Ninh appeared, many people thought that these were two ancient boats from the Ly and Tran dynasties. The model of the two-bottom boat of the Ly dynasty has been recorded in history books. Specifically, Viet Su Luoc recorded that in 1106, the Vinh Long two-bottom boat was built, Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu recorded that in 1124, the Tuong Quang two-bottom boat was built. Regarding this Dong Son era, Dr. Viet said: "The Ly and Tran dynasties were in the 13th - 14th centuries, and this one is in the 2nd - 3rd centuries. Our Dong Son is too magnificent".

Two priceless boats. PHOTO: TRIEU NGUYEN

Regarding the special value of the two artifacts, as well as the location where they were discovered, Dr. Nguyen Viet said: "We can keep them, make them and promote them to UNESCO heritage immediately." Foreign experts themselves are also very interested in these artifacts and locations. "If I announce it, Professor Peter Bellwood will fly over immediately, unfortunately we have already filled in (the archaeological pit). We can hold an international conference. The world is ready, I believe they will come and work with us, bringing along funds, to keep it for us, which is actually a world heritage," Dr. Viet shared.

According to this expert, the world approached and raised the issue of the ships and their locations since 1952 in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. At that time, the whole world was excited about preserving Viking ships. "Viking (12th century) is 1,000 years younger than this ship. When rebuilding the ships, Sweden has attracted tens of millions of tourists every year. We work in the organization that preserves ships in the world, I consider this an artifact that the world will be particularly interested in," Dr. Viet said, adding that the ancient ship found in Quang Ngai is also very attractive to researchers, but he values ​​these two ancient ships in Bac Ninh higher. "At that time, there were very few ships in the world today. I am willing to guarantee both funding and techniques to preserve this ship for the country," Dr. Nguyen Viet emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thuyen-co-o-bac-ninh-co-co-hoi-thanh-di-san-the-gioi-unesco-1852510192126364.htm