Over 100 kites bearing Vietnam’s national flag and images of soldiers safeguarding the country’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos soared high in the sky over the UNESCO-recognized Hoi An old town in central Quang Nam Province on Saturday afternoon.

The kite performance, which attracted artisans from across the country and several other nations, took place at Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An.

The 10th annual event held by Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa aims to boost the province’s cultural, tourism, and commercial activities.

The highlight of this year’s event was a showcase of stunning kites representing Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in the current context of China’s illegal deployment of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in Vietnam’s waters since early May.

A host of activities, including peaceful protests and art and performance fund-raisers, have been held across the country and abroad to express full support for Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea.

In 1999, the old town of Hoi An was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO for being a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries, and for containing buildings with a unique blend of local and foreign influences.

Since then, Hoi An has been voted one of the top tourist destinations in the world by several tourism magazines.

It was chosen as the world’s best tourism place by UK tourism magazine Wanderlust in Jan 2013.

The town also ranked second in the Top 10 Asian Cities list by prestigious American tourism magazine Condé Nast Traveler in October 2013.

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