(VOVworld) – A feast and commemoration festival for Hoang Sa’s soldiers was held on Ly Son island, Quang Ngai province, on Monday to honor their achievements in mapping Vietnam’s islands and protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

The ritual has been observed for centuries by families on Ly Son island and the coastal areas of Quang Ngai. The commemoration entailed 5 ships carrying tablets with the names and titles of the soldiers and necessities for their voyage. Vo Hien Dat, a resident in An Tinh commune, said: “During the 17^th to 19^th centuries, the feudal regimes recruited soldiers in Ly Son island to protect Hoang Sa archipelago. Hundreds of people were sent to Hoang Sa but few of them returned. Then families, clans, and villages on Ly Son island organized annual ceremony to commemorate their sacrifices for national defense"

Nguyen Diem in An Tinh commune said: “The traditional commemoration ceremony for Hoang Sa’s soldiers confirms Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. Ly Son islanders have sworn to protect Hoang Sa and Truong Sa by all means.”

The ceremony for the soldiers has become an important folk festival on Ly Son island, acknowledging the sacrifices for national defense hundreds years ago and promoting patriotism among the younger generation.