The Father of Truong Sa Submarine Unexpectedly Announces Project Transfer

In his latest Facebook post on July 8, Engineer and entrepreneur Nguyen Quoc Hoa (Director of Quoc Hoa Mechanical Company, Thai Binh city, Thai Binh province) shared his intention to transfer ownership of his beloved submarine project. He wrote: “Due to financial constraints and health reasons, I am no longer able to continue with the project. I am willing to transfer this submarine project to anyone who has the capability and passion for mini submarines.”

It is not yet clear what the terms are for Engineer Hoa to transfer the product. Under the post, many people expressed their regret about the decision of the project’s “father” to stop. Many of them were also interested in the “fate” of the submarines that Engineer Nguyen Quoc Hoa had built.

Being a chemical engineer from Hanoi University of Technology and a German-trained mechanical engineer specializing in molds, with a passion for invention, Mr. Hoa has nurtured the dream of building submarines. According to Mr. Hoa, having to spend millions of dollars to buy foreign submarines, he came up with the idea of designing a “Made in Vietnam” submarine. If successful in creating mini-submarines, it will help protect sovereignty and explore and exploit the resources in Vietnam’s waters.

In 2013, Mr. Hoa and his team of engineers built the Truong Sa 1 mini-submarine with AIP technology (independent air circulation system). The submarine is 8.8 meters long and 3 meters high. It can dive to a depth of 50 meters and move close to or lie still on the seabed. The operational time at sea is 15 days. In January 2014, after successfully testing the Truong Sa 1 submarine in the lake, Mr. Hoa brought the submarine back to the workshop and displayed it.

In 2015, he continued to improve the product with the Truong Sa mini-submarine. The total cost of building the first two mini-submarines was over ten billion VND. Many people tried to stop him, calling it a wild dream and a costly endeavor, but Engineer Hoa did not give up.

In 2018, the Truong Sa 02 submarine, 9 meters long, 22 tons heavy, with an interior height of 1.8 meters and a maximum capacity of six crew members, was completed. The submarine is estimated to have a speed of 35 km/h, a diving depth of 250 meters, and a range of 3,000 km.

This is not the first time that Vietnamese people have attracted attention with their self-made products. Apart from submarines, many people have also built helicopters, electric cars, etc. Mr. Tran Van Tam from Ho Chi Minh City successfully built a 4-seat electric car that can travel 160 km at a speed of 50 km/h. The car is handmade and can carry five people. Its motor uses a 60V electrical system, lithium-ion batteries, and a standard 220V household power source.

Interestingly, Mr. Tam did not receive any formal training in electronics or mechanics, but because of his passion and the belief that “if Westerners can do it, so can Vietnamese,” he taught himself through online resources and with the help of people around him. It took him five years to research, design, and build this first electric car.

After many improvements, the electric car has not been commercially produced as its “father” had hoped, but Mr. Tam is quite happy. “I understand that it is very difficult to put an electric car into production, and many other factors are needed, such as meeting like-minded people, engineers, and those with expertise who can provide advice.”

Without any specialized training in mechanical engineering, father and son Tran Quoc Hai (born in 1960), residing in Suoi Day commune, Tan Chau district, Tay Ninh province, successfully created many special products, notably a helicopter weighing 680 kg, 11 meters long, 2.3 meters wide, and 3.5 meters high. The helicopter’s engine consumes 60 liters of fuel in 8 hours, and it can reach a speed of 150 km/h. This aircraft was purchased by a foreign customer during an exhibition in Singapore in 2005.