Shipwrecks as Tourist Attractions: A Viable Venture?

15 August, 2025

Proposed Scuttling of the Sheng Li Vessel to Create a Premium Scuba Diving Site in Con Dao

Amadive Travel Services Company has recently proposed a plan to scuttle the Sheng Li vessel, creating a unique and premium scuba diving site in the Con Dao area (Ho Chi Minh City). The proposal has been sent to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and relevant units.

Scuttling the Sheng Li Vessel to Offer a Unique Scuba Diving Experience

According to Amadive’s proposal, the company suggests scuttling the Sheng Li vessel to develop a premium and distinctive scuba diving site in the Con Dao marine area. This initiative aims to attract domestic and international tourists, promote eco-tourism, and encourage natural experiences in Con Dao.

Specifically, the shipwreck diving site will offer a unique tourism product, appealing to a premium customer segment, thereby creating more growth opportunities and generating higher-quality jobs for locals. The sunken vessel will become an artificial coral reef, providing shelter and breeding grounds for numerous marine species and contributing to enhanced biodiversity.

By establishing an appealing diving site, we can reduce pressure on natural coral reefs, allowing them to recover and grow more sustainably. “Amadive is committed to executing this project in adherence to legal procedures and regulations, ensuring maritime safety, environmental protection, and marine landscape preservation. We have meticulously studied the technical and economic aspects of the project and firmly believe in its feasibility and long-term benefits for Con Dao and Vietnam’s tourism industry,” stated Mr. Ngo Tuan Tu, the company’s director.

The frozen cargo ship Sheng Li has been abandoned in the Con Dao sea for about two years. Photo: Lam Giang

The enterprise also hopes that the managing agency will consider approving the proposal and provide guidance on completing the necessary legal procedures, facilitating its implementation, and contributing to the sustainable development of Con Dao’s marine tourism.

In the latest document sent to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism expressed its basic agreement with the proposal to scuttle the Sheng Li vessel to create a premium and unique diving site in the Con Dao marine area after careful consideration and review.

However, the Department of Tourism requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment to survey, inspect, update, evaluate, and forecast the sinking site regarding the planned water area and the potential impact of the vessel’s sinking on future tourism. A monitoring plan is necessary to ensure water quality maintenance, prevent pollution from spreading to surrounding areas, and avoid potential effects on bathing beaches serving tourism in the Con Dao Special Zone.

Concerns About the Feasibility of Scuttling the Sheng Li Vessel

In a conversation with the NLD reporter, Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, expressed his support for the proposal, stating that if implemented, the project could create a unique model for developing new tourism products. “The model of scuttling a vessel to create a scuba diving tourism product and attract domestic and international guests is novel in Vietnam, although it has been implemented in some parts of the world. If we can establish a sustainable new tourism product, it is worth considering,” said Mr. Hien Hoa.

According to our research, the tourism model of scuba diving to explore shipwrecks is not new, as it has been implemented in various parts of the world, often involving ships with legendary stories and significant historical value. Tourism expert Nguyen Minh Man believes that the proposal to scuttle a vessel to create a new tourism product is a good idea. However, he emphasizes the necessity of feasibility studies and evaluations before proceeding with operations.

“Vietnamese tourism has mostly focused on exploiting terrestrial resources and historical, cultural, and architectural heritage, while river and marine resources remain underappreciated. Therefore, all ideas are essential to creating new and impressive products, but we must ensure the safety of tourists,” Mr. Man asserted.

According to him, Vietnam possesses numerous advantages that can be leveraged through capable investors with expertise in training and developing professional scuba diving tourism, coupled with a profound understanding of the marine environment. Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) has strongly developed scuba diving tourism, followed by areas like Phu Quoc and now Con Dao.

“If properly managed, ensuring tourist safety and environmental preservation, this will be a product that attracts domestic and international tourists who love scuba diving tourism. However, scuba diving tourism is a conditional experience, and it’s not as simple as submerging a vessel and expecting tourism to flourish. We must conduct realistic assessments of environmental impacts, with a particular focus on water flow, which is a critical factor in ensuring tourist safety,” Mr. Nguyen Minh Man explained.

From another perspective, Mr. Tran Tuong Huy, Vice President of the Institute for Social Tourism Research, finds the idea of scuttling the Sheng Li vessel to create a diving tourism product quite appealing in terms of marketing and experience. However, he emphasizes the need to consider feasibility, given Con Dao’s rich natural ecosystem, which deserves preservation.

According to Mr. Huy, it is essential to define the Con Dao tourism brand to ensure uniformity in service products. “Legally, the intentional scuttling of a vessel (even one with no economic value) requires permits from the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and local authorities. It must be proven that the scuttling will not cause pollution, and all oil, chemicals, and hazardous materials must be removed beforehand. The sinking location should be outside the main shipping lane, not affecting fishermen, shipping lanes, and appropriately marked on nautical charts,” analyzed Mr. Tran Tuong Huy.

The frozen cargo ship Sheng Li, measuring 52 meters in length and 8.5 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of 1,200 tons, was built in 2002 in Togo. It has been abandoned in the Con Dao sea for approximately two years. Local fishermen discovered the drifting vessel, bearing the name “Sheng Li,” after which the authorities towed it to a storm shelter. Once a mysterious presence in the open sea, the ship quickly became a popular check-in spot on social media.

After a prolonged period of idleness and no claim of ownership, the ship has deteriorated significantly, with its hull rusting. It has six interconnected cargo holds, and its machinery and many other components are damaged and unusable. On May 9, 2025, the People’s Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau (the old name) issued a decision to auction the ship for scrap, with a starting price of VND 1.7 billion, excluding taxes and other costs. The auction winner is only allowed to dismantle the ship and is prohibited from refitting or using it for other purposes.