Sovereignty paper finder honoured
THUA THIEN - HUE — Researcher Phan Thuan An, who uncovered the official documents affirming Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, was honoured at a recent ceremony in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.
The researcher was among eight outstanding individuals and nine organisations to receive the "Homeland's Blue Sea" award, a biennial reward to honour those who demonstrate great efforts in protecting the resources and environment of the country's seas and islands.
A resident of Hue City, An has written a number of articles raising public awareness of protecting national sovereignty and preserving coastal and island environments and natural resources.
He also handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs two royal documents attesting to Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago.
The first document, dated February 3, 1939 under King Bao Dai's reign, honoured Louis Pontan, an officer who died while performing his duty on Hoang Sa.
The second, bearing the signature and comments of King Bao Dai, recorded a medal of honour awarded to a unit of soldiers for building guard stations on the Hoang Sa archipelago.
An said the documents were found at a temple located in Hue City dedicated to Princess Ngoc Son, daughter of King Dong Khanh and sister of King Khai Dinh. An's wife is a granddaughter of the princess. — VNS