The northern mountainous province of Bac Kan on February 12 organised an exhibition showcasing ancient maps and documents proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagoes.

Themed “Hoang Sa, Truong Sa belong to Vietnam – Historical evidence”, the exhibition is a key activity realising the Party Central Committee’s resolution on Vietnam’s maritime strategy until 2020.

The event is a practical activity to help raise public awareness of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, said Nguyen Van Du, deputy secretary of the provincial Party’s Committee.

The week-long event is creating an opportunity for local people, especially those from ethnic minority groups, to gain more understanding on the significance of the national sea and islands and Vietnam’s sovereignty over them.

The exhibition is also a chance for people in the mountainous locality to be given an insight into national maritime economic, historical and cultural values that are in urgent need of preservation.

Visitors to the event can study maps, letters and official documents collected by Vietnamese and foreign researchers, many dating from the 16th century.

However, the exhibition predominantly focuses on the period from the early 17th century to the late 19th century, when Vietnam ruled over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagoes in a full and peaceful manner.

VNA