The annual “Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa” (Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Soldiers) ceremony was held in An Hai communal temple, Ly Son island, the central province of Quang Ngai on April 2.
The event included a traditional offering ritual, the garlands and model wooden boats carrying soldiers and sailors out to sea, and a boat race.
Ly Son Island, a tranquil destination 30km off the province's coast, is home to about 2,100 residents. Most make their living fishing, and farming garlic and spring onions.
About 3-4 centuries ago under the Nguyen Lords’ mandate, 70 of the island’s best seafarers were chosen to safeguard their homeland’s maritime rights and explore the East Sea every year. In mid-sixteenth century, the Hoang Sa Flotilla was established to conduct marine patrol and control, exploit marine products and collect ship-wrecked cargoes floating to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa areas.
