• Typhoon Kalmaegi has exposed a centuries-old shipwreck off the coast of Hoi An, Vietnam.
• The ship, approximately 17.4 meters long, may date back to the 14th-16th centuries.
• Authorities plan to apply for an emergency excavation permit to salvage the wreck.
• The discovery highlights Hoi An's historical role in regional trade during its heyday.
• Immediate conservation actions are deemed crucial due to the ship's exposure and the risk of deterioration.

Severe coastal erosion caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi has revealed a centuries-old shipwreck off the coast of Hoi An, Vietnam, offering a narrow window for potential salvage. Initially discovered in 2023, the at least 17.4-meter vessel has an intact heavy wood-ribbed hull that survived adverse maritime conditions for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, before authorities could reclaim it, the vessel was resubmerged, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and CBS News.

Experts have yet to determine the ship's exact age, but preliminary findings indicate it was constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries, a period when UNESCO-listed Hoi An thrived as a trade hub for silk, ceramics, and spices. Pham Phu Ngoc, director of the Hoi An Centre for the Preservation of World Cultural Heritage, noted that they are preparing to apply for an emergency excavation permit, emphasizing that "the discovery of this ancient ship is clear evidence of Hoi An's significant historical role in regional trade," according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

A survey team from the Hoi An preservation centre, alongside experts from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, investigated the ship last year. They found it was built from “durable and high-strength timber” and reinforced with waterproofing materials, suggesting it had the structural capability for long-distance voyages used in trade or naval operations. The risk of serious deterioration looms large if immediate conservation actions are not taken due to ongoing coastal erosion and the ship's exposure to harsh weather conditions, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and CBS News.