Elders on Ly Son Island in the central province of Quang Ngai yesterday performed a worship ceremony before shoving off toy boats into the sea during an annual ceremony honouring local navy soldiers in the Hoang Sa Flottila who were protecting the country's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos. According to historic materials, the Nguyen Lord gathered 70 strong men on a flotilla every year to patrol the archipelagoes and the country's sea territory. Before setting off, the men performed a worship ceremony to wish for luck at sea. Since then the ceremony has been held every 15th of the third lunar month to commemorate the fallen soldiers. In April 2013, the ceremony was recognised as a national cultural intangible heritage item. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Ha