The People's Committee of Khanh Hoa Province has just issued a plan to mobilize donations and provisions of historical documents, artifacts, and memorabilia for exhibition at Truong Sa Museum.
Earlier, the Provincial People's Committee commenced construction of Truong Sa Museum in Cam Lam Commune, spanning an area of more than 1.7ha with a total investment of nearly 300 billion VND funded by Vinhomes Joint Stock Company. Once completed, Truong Sa Museum along with the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial will form an architectural complex affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago, demonstrating the enduring determination to safeguard the sacred territory of the Fatherland, while expressing gratitude to the generations who sacrificed for maritime and island sovereignty.
This campaign aims to mobilize collective efforts across society in identifying, providing, donating, transferring, or supporting the exploitation of materials related to the Truong Sa Archipelago. Through this, it systematically supplements the source of materials for the Project on "Researching and collecting documents and artifacts for exhibition at Truong Sa Museum", gradually building collections of authenticity, representativeness, and historical, cultural, scientific, and legal value, comprehensively reflecting the process of formation, management, protection, construction, and development of Truong Sa.
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Perspective view of Truong Sa Museum. |
According to the plan, the campaign focuses on 7 groups of documents and artifacts, including: Truong Sa's nature and ecosystem; the archipelago's strategic position and role in the East Sea; Truong Sa in Vietnamese history; the life of soldiers, residents, and fishermen on the islands; the process of building and developing the island district; the mainland's sentiments toward Truong Sa; and the contemporary face of Truong Sa. Among these, special emphasis is placed on imperial records (chau ban), royal decrees, ancient maps, nautical charts, and archival documents affirming Vietnam's sovereignty; memorabilia of officers and soldiers who worked, fought, and sacrificed in Truong Sa, especially documents about the 1988 battle to defend Gac Ma; as well as materials on fisheries, the custom of worshiping the Whale God (Ca Ong), and the bond between Khanh Hoa fishermen and Truong Sa.
Target participants of the campaign include central and local agencies and units; armed forces units, the Navy; organizations, businesses, fishing communities, vessel owners, and crew members; families and relatives of officers and soldiers, traditional associations, veterans' associations; along with researchers, journalists, photographers, artists and writers, collectors, and individuals currently holding documents and materials related to Truong Sa.
Organizations and individuals can participate through various forms: providing information, introducing sources, donating, transferring, or granting permission to photograph, copy, and digitize documents and artifacts.
The unit directly receiving donations is the Khanh Hoa Provincial Museum (No. 16 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang Ward). The museum receives donations during office hours on weekdays (morning from 7:30 to 11:30, afternoon from 13:30 to 17:00). Donors can hand them over in person or send them by registered mail, with shipping costs covered by the receiving unit using project funds.
For bulky, hard-to-move artifacts, or for elderly and frail veterans and martyrs' relatives, a working group from the Provincial Museum will visit their homes or workplaces to survey, verify, and receive them. Documents such as maps, nautical charts, and historical and legal documents related to sea and island sovereignty will be thoroughly examined by the Appraisal Council before being received, published, and exhibited.
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| Perspective rendering of the exhibition space at Truong Sa Museum. |
According to the plan, the Provincial People's Committee will organize a launching ceremony, issue an open letter, develop dedicated columns across media platforms, and carry out the reception of historical photos and artifacts to be exhibited at Truong Sa Museum. In 2027, the campaign will be expanded, focusing on sources of materials from witnesses, officers, soldiers, and fishermen; peak campaigns will be organized in conjunction with March 14 (the 1988 Gac Ma event) and April 29 (the 1975 liberation of Truong Sa). After 2027, the Museum will continue supplementary collecting, organize exhibitions showcasing the results, review outcomes, and commend contributing collectives and individuals.
Contact information for donation submissions: Khanh Hoa Provincial Museum, phone 0258.3822277; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong - Director of the Provincial Museum, phone 0918981128; Mr. Mai Ngoc Da - Head of the Research and Collection Department, phone 0989008809.
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XUAN THANH
