Under the theme “Quang Ngai, Hoang Sa, Truong Sa: Vietnam’s history of sovereignty over its seas and islands”, the exhibition aims to affirm that the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos belong to Vietnam as well as recount the historical and cultural traditions of Vietnam’s ancestors in defending their sovereignty over the archipelagos.

It displays the private collections of researchers and journalists, archival materials, domestic and foreign publications as well as relics from families living on Ly Son Island, offshore Quang Ngai Province, and along Quang Ngai Province’s coastline.

The event, jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Pham Van Dong University, will last until May 7.

Also the same day, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese announced that it will send a delegation to visit the island district of Truong Sa from April 25-28 on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of liberation of the Truong Sa archipelago, the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Navy and as part of activities in the lead up to the millennium anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

During the visit, the delegation will present gifts to soldiers and people in the island district and take part in activities such as the commemoration of martyrs and ceremonials held by the Vietnam Buddhist Church.