An old canoe accidentally found by a local resident has been identified as an antique, according to the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Several researchers believed the boat is 700 years old.

The canoe, 9.5m long and 1.5m wide, has a head carved at its stern and a sinuously curved bow.

The canoe was found in the Huong River by Le Van Ai of Huong Ho Commune in May when he was gathering sand from the river bed to sell later.

He brought it to a local resident Ton That An, who restores and preserves boats. In June, the provincial people’s committee asked the commune’s committee to complete the restoration so that it can be stored in the museum.