Brian Jeffrey
The Vietnam Records Organisation (VietKings) has officially acknowledged two reconstructed whale skeletons located at the Lang Tan archaeological site on Ly Son island district, which is now recognized as the Ly Son Special Zone in Quang Ngai province, as the largest in Vietnam.
This record, granted on June 20, emphasizes the significance of the Lang Tan archaeological site, which showcases two ancient whale skeletons, both believed to be between 250 and 300 years old.
The larger of the two skeletons, known locally as Dong Dinh Dai Vuong, measures 22 meters in length, while the smaller one, called Duc Ngu Nhi Vi Ton Than, is 18 meters long. Each skeleton comprises 50 vertebrae, 28 ribs, and a fully intact skull.
In 2020, local authorities initiated a restoration project, creating a dedicated exhibition area at the Tan Lang site. By 2022, the restoration was finished, and efforts have been ongoing to attract visitors to this remarkable location.
While community members assert that numerous whale skeletons can be found on the island, only these two—Dong Dinh Dai Vuong and Duc Ngu Nhi Vi Ton Than—remain completely preserved and have received national acclaim.
Alongside preservation initiatives, the inhabitants of Ly Son continue to practice their traditional whale worship, a cultural hallmark of Vietnam’s coastal societies.
Lang Tan, now the home of the country’s most significant whale skeletons, has emerged as a favored spot for those visiting the volcanic island of Ly Son./.VNA
