The Director of the Da Nang Department of Home Affairs and Chairman of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands District People’s Committee, Mr Dang Cong Ngu, has recently retired in accordance with the national regulations regarding the retirement age of government employees.  During his final days in office, Mr Ngu cherishes his compassionate love for the Hoang Sa Archipelago, a sacred part of Viet Nam’s territory.

Chairman Ngu said that our ancestors have entrusted their descendants to reaffirm the nation’s legitimate sovereignty over the archipelago, at least in accordance with international laws and by peaceful means.  He also expressed a strong desire that those who succeed him, and other local leaders, will do their utmost to uphold their responsibilities for the sacred Fatherland, regardless of their positions. 

Mr Ngu introducing a map at a Hoang Sa exhibition

In the past, the city’s measures to publicise the archipelago were not implemented effectively for various reasons. However, the publicity about the national islands has been improved considerably in recent years.  As a result, sea-related issues have often been mentioned in forums and in the mass media.

Presenting flowers to units and individuals for their outstanding donations to an exhibition on the national sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos

During his tenure, Mr Ngu has done a lot of work to publicise the islands.  Many domestic and foreign documents which prove the national claims have been collected.  Meanwhile, a number of exhibitions about the archipelago have been mounted both at home and abroad.  These meaningful actions have helped local residents, the younger generations, and international friends to thoroughly grasp Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa Archipelago.  Moreover, Chairman Ngu has worked closely with local relevant agencies to carry out extensive research on the archipelago.  Most notably, a book named “Hoang Sa Summary Record” was released in Da Nang on 19 January 2012.  In compiling this book, Mr Ngu visited many parts of the country to meet with historical witnesses who used to live and work on the islands, and to collect their heart-touching stories.  During his trips, many valuable historical artifacts were also discovered.  In the near future, the large Hoang Sa Exhibition House will be built on Hoang Sa Street, proudly overlooking the East Sea.