Vietnam has just re-enacted a traditional ceremony to commemorate Vietnamese soldiers who patrolled Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos hundreds of years ago.

>> National sovereignty is sacred and inviolable: Vietnam President >> Vietnam's legislature denounces China’s violation of sovereignty>> Vietnam President affirms determination to protect national sovereignty >> Vietnam reaffirms sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa “Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival,” an event fishermen on Ly Son Island off central Quang Ngai Province organize annually to pay tribute to local men enlisted in the Hoang Sa Flotilla to patrol Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, was re-created in Hanoi on Sunday. The “duplicate” festival was held on the square of the Culture and Tourism Village of Vietnam Ethnic Groups in Son Tay Town. The cultural event is part of a series of activities conducted in the capital city with the theme of “The Great Family of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups and the Fatherland’s Sacred Sovereignty.” Earlier on April 15, the official “Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival” took place at An Vinh Temple on Ly Son Island, with the participation of thousands of people. Participants of the “simulated” festival in Hanoi yesterday offered incense sticks to commemorate brave soldiers of the flotilla who yearly sailed to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa centuries ago.

They did so under the order of the Vietnamese feudal courts to plant landmarks and build steles to affirm Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos. At the same time, these soldiers also went on patrol trips on and around the islands and performed activities to exploit marine animals there. Attending the re-enacted festival, Vo Hien Dat, the representative of residents on Ly Son Island, said, “We will unite and join aquatic product exploitation in the East Vietnam Sea, not giving way to China’s unrighteous acts. We are determined to preserve our tradition and valuable cultural heritages related to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.” “Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival” has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a national intangible heritage.

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