The Paracel and Spratly Islands belong to us.

(Baonghean.vn) - That is the message that the exhibition "Vietnam's Sovereignty over the East Sea and Hoang Sa - Truong Sa" held from July 22, 2014 at the Nghe An Provincial Library wants to send to all the people. Once again, through the exhibition, we affirm: Truong Sa - Hoang Sa belong to us, and that sovereignty will never change.

People viewing the exhibition.

With the aim of helping all segments of the population better understand Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands through various documents, the exhibition "Vietnam's Sovereignty over the East Sea and Hoang Sa - Truong Sa" displays books, documents, historical materials, maps, films, etc. The exhibition aims to inform and educate the public about the situation in the East Sea. Through this, it mobilizes the combined strength of the entire political system and the whole population to participate in protecting, fighting against, and condemning acts of infringement on the territorial sovereignty of the Fatherland. Especially in recent times, China's continuous aggression in the East Sea and the two archipelagos of Truong Sa and Hoang Sa has seriously violated Vietnam's sovereignty and international maritime law, creating a wave of indignation among the people and international friends.

On the opening day, the exhibition attracted a large number of people from all walks of life in Vinh City to visit and learn. Ms. Cao Thi Thu (68 years old) from Quang Tien block, Hung Binh ward, Vinh City, said: "Hearing from a friend in the Senior Citizens' Association that the Provincial Library would be opening an exhibition on Vietnam's sovereignty over the East Sea and Hoang Sa - Truong Sa, I was very excited and cycled here to visit and learn. For those who have witnessed the historical moments of the nation, witnessed the pain of losing the country, the pain of separation from war, the words 'peace' and 'national independence' are deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of generations like mine, and we vow to protect the independence, self-reliance, and sovereignty of the nation to the very end."

Over the past few days, I've listened to news programs and numerous dialogues and responses from scholars and historians both domestically and internationally, all affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands. Visiting this exhibition has given me a deeper understanding of the nation's history and Vietnam's territorial sovereignty, including the East Sea, the Spratly Islands, and the Paracel Islands. Numerous documents and maps from the Le, Trinh, and Nguyen dynasties, as well as those from foreign scholars, confirm an unchanging truth: the Paracel and Spratly Islands belong to Vietnam.

To organize this exhibition, the Provincial Library – the organizing unit – had to spend a considerable amount of time and effort preparing. In addition to collecting over 100 types of books, newspapers, historical documents, films, etc., written about the islands and sovereignty of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa by various authors, the organizing committee received enthusiastic assistance from the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library, which lent 90 rare and valuable ancient maps of maritime sovereignty (approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). This contributed to the vibrancy, diversity, and richness of the exhibition content, while also affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over its seas and islands through numerous documents.

Bui Khanh Ly, a student in class 11A4 at Huynh Thuc Khang High School, was moved: "This exhibition is very meaningful to the people, especially to the younger generation – a generation that only knows the pain of losing the country and the pain of war through films, books, and newspapers. I hope the Provincial Library will have more exhibitions about the history of our nation, the process of building and defending the country… so that we have the opportunity to learn, visit, and study."

Mr. Dao Tam Tinh – Director of the Provincial Library, said: During the process of collecting documents, we learned that Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos was exercised by Vietnamese feudal dynasties from a very early period. The earliest example is the "Hong Duc Map" of the Le Thanh Tong dynasty in the 15th century, and the clearest is from the 17th century with the "Dai Viet" map showing the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos drawn by Do Ba Cong Dao (from Thanh Chuong district) in 1686, and other valuable documents. Therefore, to help people better understand Vietnam's sovereignty over its seas and islands, the organizing committee has strived to collect books and documents that serve as legal basis affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, such as the "Hong Duc Map"; the "Hoang Trieu Truc Tinh Dia Du Toan Do" map, the "An Nam Dai Quoc Hoa Do" map, the "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Toan Do" map; and maps of Indochina meteorological stations. World maps showing Hoang Sa and Truong Sa as belonging to Vietnam's sovereignty; the documentary film "Hoang Sa - Truong Sa: Where the Sacred Spirit of Vietnam is Marked"; legal documents on Vietnam's seas and islands signed with neighboring countries and other relevant countries; basic and general knowledge, legal documents on the seas and islands of our State and the 1982 International Law of the Sea; and other relevant legal documents and materials... From these, it is affirmed that: Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam, and no one has the right to infringe upon them.

Thanh Thuy