HCM CITY (VNS) — Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos have been confirmed as record holders in the sea and island category of the Viet Nam Book of Records.

The 2014 additions to the book were announced in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.

Hoang Sa and Truong Sa have been confirmed as the archipelagos under Viet Nam's sovereignty which have had the most names. Hoang Sa was previously called Cat Vang and Con Vang, among other names, while Truong Sa previously bore names including Van Ly Truong Sa and Dai Truong Sa.

They also received recognition as the furthest archipelagos from mainland Viet Nam and the ones with the largest area, the greatest depth and the biggest number of stone islands.

Additionally, the two archipelagos have appeared most frequently on maps of Viet Nam and the world, from both ancient and modern times.

Other records relating to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa include the Hoang Sa Festival in Ly Son District, central province of Quang Ngai, which is the only ancient folk festival depicting the hardships of maritime soldiers in safeguarding sovereignty over the islands.

Meanwhile, a book entitled Viet Nam Quoc Hieu va Cuong Vuc – Hoang Sa, Truong Sa (Viet Nam's Official Names and Territories – Hoang Sa, Truong Sa) by Nguyen Dinh Dau contains the largest number of ancient and modern maps featuring the two archipelagos.

Dr Nguyen Nha, 75, also received an award for doing the most research on Viet Nam's sovereignty over the archipelagos. — VNS