Researcher Phan Thuan An, who has uncovered the official documents affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, was honoured at a recent ceremony in Thua Thien-Hue central province.

The researcher was among eight outstanding individuals and nine organisations to receive the “Homeland’s blue sea” award, a biennial reward to honour those who demonstrate great efforts in protecting the resources and environment of the country’s seas and islands.

A resident of Hue city, An has written a number of articles raising public awareness of protecting national sovereignty and preserving coastal and island environment and natural resources.

He also handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs two royal documents attesting to Vietnam’s exercise of sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, adding important evidence reiterating the country’s sovereignty over the archipelago.

The first document, dated February 3, 1939 under King Bao Dai’s reign, honoured Louis Pontan, an officer who died while performing his duty in Hoang Sa

The second one, bearing the signature and comments of King Bao Dai, recorded the awarding of an honour medal to a unit of soldiers for building guard stations on the Hoang Sa archipelago.

An said the documents were found at a temple located in Hue city, which dedicated to Princess Ngoc Son, daughter of King Dong Khanh and sister of King Khai Dinh. An’s wife is a grand-dauter of the princess./.