The Vietnam Binh Chau (Chau Tan) Late Tang Wreck
A 2013 shipwreck discovery in Binh Chau, Vietnam, revealed a cargo of Tang-era ceramics similar to the famous Belitung wreck. While the cargo is comparable, the ship's construction suggests unique Southeast Asian shipbuilding techniques rather than the West Asian dhow style.
Why it matters
The discovery provides critical archaeological evidence regarding ancient maritime trade routes and the evolution of shipbuilding technology in Southeast Asia.
Published: 17 Jan 2016 | Updated & Revised: 26 May 2026
In 2013, a violent storm exposed a shipwreck on the beach of Binh Chau in Quang Ngai province, central Vietnam. The discovery quickly drew the attention of local villagers, triggering a frantic wave of illicit pot-hunting. Consequently, most of the artifacts salvaged from the site suffered varying degrees of damage.
Amid this chaos, local ceramics collector Mr. Lam Du Xenh seized the opportunity to acquire a diverse range of wares from the site. Although many pieces were broken, they provided a remarkably comprehensive sample of the ship's cargo. Mr. Lam even managed to salvage remnants of the vessel's wooden hull, which he now preserves in a large, open shelter at his home. In 2014, accompanied by fellow collectors from Singapore, I had the privilege of visiting Mr. Lam to inspect these artifacts and examine the structural timbers firsthand.
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