The restoration of the historical site for marine soldiers in Ly Son island district, Quang Ngai, which started in 2007 with the capital investment of VND15 billion, is now being sped up so as to be completed by the end of this year.

Hoang Sa Temple in Ly Hai village, Ly Son island district.

This historical site is to worship soldiers in the Hoang Sa strong army men who sacrificed 300 years ago when they were defending Vietnam’s sovereignty. According to the history, every year, after the country’s lunar New Year festival, the strongest men from Sa Ky area then (now called Ly Son island district) were selected to represent the Hoang Sa soldiers. Until now, in the Sa Ky coastal area, particularly in An Vinh and An Hai village of Ly Son district, there are still many relics of Hoang Sa army 300 years ago such as temples and communal houses where people came to see off their soldiers and worship those sacrificed.

The project to restore the historical relics in An Vinh commune, Ly Son district includes four items: the construction of 347 sq m show room, the restoration of 250 sq m An Vinh communal house and Pham Quang Anh Temple and the building of a monument to the soldiers.

With the investment fund of over VND 15 billion, the project is now completed by 65% after two years. The construction of the show room is now nearly completed. The restoration of the An Vinh communal house has been finished with the identical design in the ancient time. The pedestal for the monument has been built while the erection of the statue is underway. The Quang Ngai museum has set up a plan for collecting objects and intangible culture relating to these soldiers. The project also includes the restoration of other temples and relics site of the soldiers in Ly Son and Son Tinh districts.

The restoration of the historical site for the marine soldiers in Hoang Sa and Truong Sa is to remember and pay gratitude to the predecessors in the struggle for the defence of the national sovereignty. The image of soldiers who worked on and fought for the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos hundreds of years ago has now become the eternal landmark of the country’s sovereignty on these two archipelagos.

VietNamNet/ND