An exhibition of historical and legal evidence
proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly)
archipelagos in the East Sea opened in the central province of Quang Tri on
October 2.
Visitors to the exhibition on Vietnam's Hoang Sa and Truong Sa
archipelagos
in
Quang Tri province (Photo: VNA)
The event, held in Ai Tu of Trieu Phong
district, has on display around 120 photos, documents, and maps collected
from Vietnam and other countries.
Many of the exhibits were written in Chinese and Nom (Vietnamese script
based on Chinese characters) scripts, some dating as far back as the 16th
century.
Among them, “Dai Viet su ky tuc bien” (Supplementary Edition of the Annals
of the Great Viet), compiled under the direction of Lord Trinh Sam in 1775,
records the Lord’s account of sending a small fleet to Hoang Sa archipelago
to fish and collect abandoned assets to bring back to the southern region.
“Dai Nam thuc luc tien bien” (The First Chapter of the Chronicles of Dai
Nam), “Dai Nam thuc luc chinh bien” (The Main Chapter of the Chronicles of
Dai Nam), and other documents created under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945)
state that the Nguyen kings deployed forces to Hoang Sa to measure and count
the islands, draw maps of them, and plant sovereignty markers, build
temples, and plant trees there to help boats avoid being stranded when
travelling through the area.
The displayed documents also recorded that the naval force and the Hoang Sa
fleet of the Nguyen Dynasty rescued British and French ships stranded in
Hoang Sa archipelago.
Some documents written in Cham ethnic script also said the Nguyen Dynasty
mobilised residents to establish and exercise Vietnam’s sovereignty over
Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.
The exhibition also showcases maps drawn by Vietnamese people between the
17th and 20th centuries, as well as Chinese maps of their own territories
from the 16th to the 20th century – all of which depict Hainan Island as the
southernmost point of Chinese territory.
Meanwhile, maps of Vietnam published by
western countries from the 16th to the 20th centuries also confirm that
Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam.
The exhibition in Quang Tri will last until October 5.
Source: VNA