During restoration work at Dien Hai Citadel in Da Nang, workers uncovered a nearly 200‑year‑old cast‑iron cannon. The find is important because it adds a tangible piece of evidence to a pivotal era of Vietnamese resistance.

The cannon was discovered about 1.5 metres underground in the citadel’s northeastern section. It measures 2.95 metres in length and, according to preliminary examinations, was cast during the Nguyen Dynasty, linking it directly to the historic coastal defence system of the site.

Museum director Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien said the discovery provides additional evidence and will enrich the collection of artillery associated with Dien Hai Citadel. He confirmed that the cannon is part of the weapons once deployed to protect the harbour entrance.

Thien explained that the artifact helps further confirm and clarify the historical significance of the 1858‑1860 resistance by Da Nang’s soldiers and people. Dien Hai Citadel, built in 1813, was a key stronghold in the defence against French and Spanish forces.

The cannon’s age, size and origin tie it to the citadel’s original defensive role, reinforcing what historians know about Da Nang’s early anti‑colonial struggle. Its preservation will give future generations a clearer picture of how the city defended its sovereignty.