Ritual master places rice inside the paper effigies of the flotilla soldiers, which will then be floated into the sea. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hương

QUẢNG NGÃI — An annual ceremony commemorating sailors of the historic Hoàng Sa (Paracel) flotilla took place in the communal house of An Vĩnh village, Lý Sơn District, the central province of Quảng Ngãi, on Wednesday.

The traditional event, namely “Lễ khao lề thế lính Hoàng Sa” (Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoàng Sa Soldiers), pays tribute to the men enlisted in the flotilla to patrol the Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa (Spratly), tap natural resources, and defend national island sovereignty. In 2013, it was accredited as a national intangible cultural heritage.

According to history, the fleet was established in the early 17th century under the reign of Nguyễn Lords in the south. Each year, 70 fishermen were enlisted, commissioned to survey sea routes and erect sovereignty landmarks and steles declaring national territory in Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa. They began their trip in the second lunar month and returned six months later.

Since their mission was fraught with danger, a ceremony was held before the trip to pray for their safety. Paper effigies representing the men and basics like rice, salt, fuel wood, and drinking water were put on replica boats which were then released into the sea to symbolically substitute for them.

The ceremony has been observed over centuries by families in Lý Sơn Island and many coastal areas in Quảng Ngãi, attracting increasing participation from visitors across Việt Nam in recent years.

Following local tradition, after the ceremony, a boat race was held. In the past, such races were organised to select skillful and strong seafarers to join the flotilla. — VNS