Thirty-four soldiers, including border guards, naval soldiers and coast guards, take the national flag to Thoi Loi peak, the highest point on Ly Son island, for a flag-raising ceremony, on July 4. The flag raising ceremony was jointly organized solemnly by the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee, the Vietnam Sports Administration under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Tien Phong Newspaper. The red flag with golden star is a sacred symbol of the nation of Vietnam. Hoisting the national flag solemnly is one of the highest manifestations of national affirmation and self-respect. It is also an expression of patriotism. (Photo:VietnamPlus) 
Ly Son island in the central province of Quang Ngai boasts a proud history of defending national sovereignty. Ly Son island was also home to the Hoang Sa Flotilla which protected Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes four centuries ago. Ly Son island covers an area of less than 10 sq.km, but it has nearly 100 relics, most of which are related to the Hoang Sa Flotilla. The flag-raising ceremony is a long-held tradition of locals on Ly Son island to pay tribute to late soldiers who spent their lives safeguarding the sovereignty over sea and islands of Vietnam. (Photo:VietnamPlus)
Delegates give salute to the national flag. The flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by Dang Ngoc Dung, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee, representatives of the Vietnam Sports Administration, Tien Phong Newspaper, the People’s Committee of Ly Son island district and thousands of athletes participating in the National Marathon Championship and Tien Phong Marathon. This is a meaningful activity to raise the solidarity and sense of responsibility for the homeland of the athletes joining the Tien Phong Marathon this year. Close to 2,000 runners from across Vietnam took part in Tien Phong Marathon around Ly Son island on July 5. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
The flag is raised on Thoi Loi peak, which is the highest point in Ly Son Island. From this peak, visitors can see the whole of Ly Son island and its emerald sea water, white sand and green garlic fields. Thoi Loi peak used to be a volcano. It is said that during the old days there were a lot of precious trees in the centre of the volcano. Nowadays, on the peak there is a 30,000 cu.m fresh water lake that supplies water for all the local population on the island. The peak houses a 20 meter national flagpole which was built on May 4, 2013, facing the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. ( (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Soldiers on Ly Son island perform the flag-raising ceremony. The flagpole has four main parts, including the base, stairs, the flagpole body and the campus around consisting of concrete floor and lights. In the front of the flagpole are special parameters. The flag-raising ceremony on an island, which is rich in historical and cultural traditions and with a strategic position like Ly Son, has a deeper meaning. The 250-square metre flag stretching ceremony took place under the flag pole which was an important ceremony to honour the image of the country, affirm the sovereignty over Vietnam's Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. (Photo: VietnamPlus)) 
The flag is raised on Thoi Loi peak. Hoisting the national flag solemnly is one of the highest manifestations of national affirmation and self-respect. It is also an expression of patriotism. The action bears the sacred significance of expressing gratitude to thousands of people who have created, built and protected the nation, especially heroes, martyrs and people who have sacrificed their lives to affirm the borders and protect independence and freedom for the Fatherland. When the national flag of Vietnam flies, amidst the majestic National Anthem, everyone is filled with feelings of pride and gratitude as well as has a sense of their duty. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
The flag-raising ceremony on Thoi Loi peak. The 20 metre national flagpole was built on May 4, 2013, facing towards the Paracel Island. The flag-raising ceremony on an island, which is rich in historical and cultural traditions and with a strategic position like Ly Son, has a deeper meaning. The annual flag-raising ceremony is a long-held tradition of locals on Ly Son island to pay tribute to late soldiers who spent their lives safeguarding the sovereignty over sea and islands of Vietnam. Ly Son island is also home to the Hoang Sa Flotilla which protected Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes four centuries ago. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
The sacred national flag flaps in the sky. The sacred national flag flies high in the sky. The national flag of Vietnam is rectangular in shape, its width is equal to two-thirds of its length, while in the middle of fresh red background is a bright five-pointed golden star. The red background is designed to symbolize the revolutionary zeal and all the blood and tear that was shed during the struggle for national liberation, while the yellow colour of the star symbolize the soul of the Vietnamese nation. The five-pointed golden star in the middle represents all the walks of life in the country uniting to defend and build the country. When the national flag of Vietnam flies, in the majestic National Anthem, everyone is filled with feelings of pride and gratitude as well as has a sense of their duty. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Following the flag raising ceremony, the national flag is taken down and spread out to cover the area where the event is hosted. The 250-square metre flag spreading ceremony took place at the base of the flag pole, which was an important ceremony to honour the image of the country, affirm the national sovereignty over the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) of Vietnam. The flag pole, which is 20 metres in height and looking towards Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, was designed and built with funds raised by students as part of their “Students with the nation’s sea and islands 2013” programme. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
The flag-raising ceremony on Thoi Loi peak is an annual event on Ly Son island. Hoisting the national flag solemnly is one of the highest manifestations of national affirmation and self-respect. It is also an expression of patriotism. This year’s flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by Dang Ngoc Dung, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee, representatives of the Vietnam Sports Administration, Tien Phong Newspaper, the People’s Committee of Ly Son island district and thousands of athletes participating in the National Marathon Championship and Tien Phong Marathon. This is a meaningful activity to raise the solidarity and sense of responsibility for the homeland of locals and the athletes joining the Tien Phong Marathon this year. (Photo: VietnamPlus) VNA
