Tourism firm proposes scuttling ship to create dive site off Ho Chi Minh City’s island

Con Dao is now administratively part of Ho Chi Minh City, following a recent government merger of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism confirmed it had received a proposal from Amadive Tourism Services Co. Ltd. to sink the Sheng Li, a damaged refrigerated cargo ship currently moored at a storm shelter for fishing vessels off Con Dao Island.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Amadive director Ngo Tuan Tu said the plan aims to establish a high-end dive site using the vessel's hull as an artificial reef.

"The project would offer a unique attraction for domestic and international visitors, support the development of sustainable tourism, and create new habitats for marine life," Tu said.

According to the company, the site would target high-spending tourists and help generate new employment opportunities for local residents. 

The sunken ship is expected to act as a substrate for coral growth, contributing to marine biodiversity and the recovery of degraded coral ecosystems in the region.

Tu added that the ship would be thoroughly cleaned and stripped of environmentally harmful materials prior to scuttling, in line with international best practices. 

He cited examples from Thailand and Malaysia, where similar projects have been implemented using defunct vessels.

The proposal comes amid concerns over coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures linked to the El Niño phenomenon in 2024. 

Tu said the artificial reef could relieve pressure on natural coral sites, allowing them time to regenerate.

The Sheng Li, built in 2002, is 52 meters long and 8.5 meters wide with a gross tonnage of around 12,000 tonnes. 

Severely damaged and no longer operational, it was previously approved for auction as scrap metal by authorities in former Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province.

A representative from the Ho Chi Minh City tourism department said the agency supports the proposal in principle but will consult with other departments before submitting it to the city's People's Committee for consideration.