Visitors have flocked to an exhibition of over 150 photos and documents about Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, part of a show featuring Da Nang’s achievements over the past 35 years.

Dang Cong Ngu, chairman of Hoang Sa island district, personally introduced each photo, map and item about various historical periods of Hoang Sa over the centuries to Andrea Flew.

“Thank you Mr.Nhu (chairman of Hoang Sa island district) for enabling me to learn about the cultural heritage of Vietnam‘s Hoang Sa district. I hope there is a peaceful resolution to this discussion very soon,” wrote Andrea Flew, director of the Eli English Institute in Da Nang, in the exhibition’s guestbook.

The Hoang Sa island room is only 20 square meters, very modest compared to other parts of the exhibition. but it draws large numbers of visitors, including many foreigners.

Seeing Andrea Flew reading historical documents about Hoang Sa, Dang Cong Ngu, chairman of Hoang Sa island district, personally introduced each photo, map and item about various historical periods of Hoang Sa over the centuries.

At the same time, Australian visitor Max Lang examined a photo of the sovereignty stele built on Hoang Sa by the French in 1938. Kim Anh, a Hoang Sa People’s Committee official, translated and explained the meaning of the words on the stele (The Republic of France – An Nam – Hoang Sa Islands 1816-1938).

Australian visitor Max Lang examined historical photos and documents about Hoang Sa archipelago.

Lang asked Kim Anh more about maps issued by a Dutch company in 1660, which proves Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) are the territories of Vietnam, and also about Vietnamese history books on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

Kim Anh also showed the Australian visitor a Chinese map dated 1910 that doesn’t include Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands.

“I’ve been working in Da Nang for 20 years and I’ve heard a lot about Paracel and Spratly Islands, but this is the first time I have seen the documents and items related to this issue. I’m very interested in objective evidence from the concerned parties because I want to have an objective view. Actually, I’m convinced by the obvious fact that the Paracel Islands belong to Vietnam,” Lang explained.

He suggested that Vietnam should organize similar exhibitions so others, especially foreigners, can have access to these historical documents about Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

Hai Chau