Exhibitions of historical and legal evidence of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos are being held across the country on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification.

In the central coastal province of Binh Thuan, nearly 100 maps and various ancient documents, artefacts and publications are on display at an exhibition in the island district of Phu Quy from April 23 until April 27.

Among the exhibits are copies of documents in Nom (Vietnamised Chinese script), Vietnamese and French issued by Vietnamese feudal governments and French colonial administration between the 17th and early 20th centuries which demonstrated how Vietnam established, exercised and protected its sovereignty continually over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

There are also publications and maps published in Western countries during the 18th and 19th centuries, which contain information on Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos.

A similar event opened in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on April 22 under the auspice of the provincial museum.

The exhibits, including more than 100 photos, 50 documents and maps and artefacts and nearly 100 posters, are arranged in five sections. Besides old documents, there are images on the daily life of soldiers and people on the two archipelagos and activities promoting public awareness about sea and island sovereignty held in Thai Nguyen.

The display will go on until May 1./.