A crowd of 3,000 sang the national anthem and stood in line to form a 45m x 25m national flag in Ly Son Island, the central province of Quang Ngai, on June 29^th, setting national records of the number of persons singing the national anthem and forming the national flag.

At the event. (Source: Internet)

The event at Hang Cau beach, An Hai commune, was part of a festival of backpacking tourists called the Phuot Fest Ly Son 2018 in the framework of the first Cultural-Tourism Week of Ly Son island.

Besides the tourists, participants included local young people and residents, who donned red or yellow T-shirts and caps for the purpose of forming the national flag.

This was the first time Ly Son had hosted the national festival of those who love backpacking tourism, which attracted nearly 1,000 tourists from all corners of the country.

The Ly Son Culture Tourism Week is taking place from June 29^th to July 3^rd with a wide range of culture, sports, and tourism activities, aimed at providing meaningful and impressive events to both locals and tourists.

On the same day, an exhibition entitled "Ly Son - Sea and Island Culture Heritage” opened as part of the Culture - Tourism Week.

On showcase are about 80 images and 50 exhibits and documents introducing Ly Son’s geological characteristics and history, along with locals’ daily life and their activities to protect the country’s sea and island sovereignty.

Using the digital 3D technology, the exhibition also displays maps and documents on Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. The maps and documents are seen as historical and legal evidence proving Vietnamese sovereignty over the islands.

Vice Chairman of the district People’s Committee Le Van Ninh said the event aims to introduce Ly Son’s traditional cultural values, festivals and beautiful landscapes to both locals and foreign tourists.

In addition, it also proves Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes as well as raises public awareness of protecting the national sovereignty over the islands, he added.

Visitors look at photos of the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Ly Son Island, 30km off Quang Ngai province mainland, 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, which was set up when the Nguyen Lords began their reign in the south of the country.

Thousands of sailors of the flotilla overcame roaring waves and storms to survey sea routes, plant milestones and erect steles affirming national territory in Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, and exploit marine resources ordered by Nguyen Lords. Their missions were full of dangers, and many of them never returned to land.

To pay tribute to the men enlisted in the flotilla, “Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa” has been observed through hundreds of years by families in Ly Son island and many coastal areas in Quang Ngai.

The festival, which is held every April on the island, was recognised as part of the national intangible cultural heritage by the State in 2016. It reflects Vietnam’s history of protecting the national sovereignty in the East Sea, especially over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos./.

VNF/VNA