On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH), along with representatives from specialized departments welcomed Mr. Lee Eun Seok, Director of the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, and a team of underwater archaeology experts.
During the meeting, both parties discussed key aspects of the draft Memorandum of Understanding for the 2025 - 2030 cooperation period, focusing on underwater archaeological research and excavation in Vietnamese waters - an area with significant heritage potential.
Panoramic photo of the meeting at the VNMH
The VNMH and the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea have maintained a long-term partnership since 2008. Over the years, the both parties have conducted numerous projects, including surveys of ancient Vietnamese ports systems and research on traditional Vietnamese boat types. The reusults of these projects have been published in specialized journals, providing important insights into Vietnam’s role in international maritime trade networks. Building upon this strong foundation, both parties are committed to advancing their collaborative efforts in underwater excavations.
At the meeting, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan emphasized that Vietnam has great potential in maritime cultural heritage, with numerous underwater archaeological sites, especially those involving shipwreck discoveries. He pointed that the government and cultural authorities recognize the value of this heritage and have made initial investments in research. However, challenges such as a lack of specialized personnel, technical equipment, and adequate facilities have hindered excavation and conservation efforts. Currently, most underwater excavations focus on retrieving artifacts rather than recovering or preserving entire ship structures. Faced with these limitations, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan expressed his appreciation for the proposed collaboration from the Korean side and conveyed his optimism that the upcoming cooperation would bring meaningful and lasting outcomes.
The Korean delegation presented a comprehensive overview of the specialized equipment employed in underwater archaeological research, and highlighted significant accomplishments in the conservation of maritime cultural heritage.
Representatives of both sides took a commemorative photo at VNMH
The meeting took place in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, with open discussions on the draft Memorandum of Understanding. Both parties agreed to appoint contact persons to finalize the document, submit it to the relevant authorities, and proceed toward signing the agreement in the near future.
The Korean delegation visiting the exhibition of VNMH
As part of the working program, the Korean delegation visited the permanent exhibition of the VNMH.
Thu Hien