VietNamNet Bridge – A map showing Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes has recently been discovered by a resident in the central province of Thanh Hoa.

The map, named “Ban quoc dia do” (national map), can be seen inside a copy of “Khai dong thuyet uoc”, a volume consisting of three textbooks written in ancient Chinese characters for primary school children.

The collection, featuring the history, astronomy, geography, culture and territory of Vietnam, was compiled in 1841, the first year in Thieu Tri’s reign, and published 40 years later in the reign of Tu Duc.

The map shows the locations of all Vietnamese provinces at that time, from Nam Quan to Ha Tien, and Hoang Sa and Truong Sa are included.

Vietnam has established and exercised its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes in a peaceful and continuous manner in line with international law at least since the 17th century.

According to Vietnam’s feudal state history, thousands of sailors overcame roaring waves and storms to survey sea routes, plant milestones and erect steles affirming national territory in Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, and mine marine resources at orders by Nguyen Lords. Their missions were full of dangers, and many of them never returned to land.

VNA/VNN