Hue displays maps of Vietnamese sovereignty More than 50 old maps and documents that show evidence of Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands are on display in an exhibition that opened in Hue on Friday. The exhibition shows four atlases issued by the Chinese government in 1908, 1919, and 1933 marking Hainan Island as the southernmost tip of Chinese territory in the East Sea. Many maps drawn by westerners in the 18th and 19th century do not include the Spratly and Paracel Islands as part of Chinese territory either. The organisers collected old documents issued by the country's last Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) that confirm Viet Nam's sovereignty over the islands to include in the display. Experts said the exhibition gives scientific proofs and clear evidence on the sovereignty of Viet Nam over the islands. The exhibition is open until the end of this month at the Hue Museum of Culture, and entrance is free. — VNS

HCM CITY (VNS) — The central province of Quang Ngai plans to build a history museum showcasing artefacts and documents about the country's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

Under a proposal submitted to the Government, the Hoang Sa – Truong Sa History Museum will be built in Ly Son Island District at a cost of VND140 billion (US$6.63 million), according to Cao Khoa, the province's chairman.

The museum will be built on the foot of the Thoi Loi Mountain, which is close to Chua Hang (Cave Pagoda), a national historical site, in Dong Ho hamlet, An Hai village.

"The project plays an essential role in raising people's awareness about and protecting the country's sovereignty over its seas and islands," Khoa said.

With an area of 10sq.km, Ly Son island district is home to 10 provincial and national historical sites, more than half of which are closely related to the history of the country's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

Nguyen Dang Vu, director of Quang Ngai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said a range of historical sites as well as many documents on the island were "vivid evidence" proving that many generations of Ly Son residents came to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa many centuries ago.

Le Khao Le The Linh Hoang Sa (The Feast and Commemoration Rituals for Hoang Sa Soldiers) on Ly Son Island has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible heritage.

The An Vinh communal house has also been voted as a cultural and historical heritage at the national level.

Last year, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, Sports and Tourism to work together to give guidance to the province on building the museum.

The Government Office has asked the prime minister to request the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to include the museum in the Viet Nam Museum Plan until 2020.

It also urged Quang Ngai Province to work closely with the central province of Khanh Hoa and Da Nang City and other relevant agencies to develop the project's proposal. — VNS