The Hoang Sa – Bac Hai Naval Fleet Exhibition House on Ly Son Island is one of Vietnam’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks. It preserves more than 400 years of historical memory of the Hoang Sa Flotilla—an elite maritime unit established by the Nguyen Lords and Nguyen Dynasty to survey sea routes, erect sovereignty markers, collect marine resources, and safeguard Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.
More than a museum, this exhibition house serves as a symbolic “red address”—a place that reminds every Vietnamese person of the continuous, lawful, and unbroken process by which our ancestors asserted and protected national sovereignty over the East Sea (Bien Dong).
Location & Impressive Architecture
Situated in the administrative center of Ly Son district, the exhibition house covers nearly 400 m². Its most striking feature is the monumental statue cluster of three Hoang Sa soldiers, standing 4.5 meters high and weighing nearly 40 tons, crafted from massive stone blocks.
The central figure, dressed in Nguyen Dynasty military attire, points resolutely toward the East—toward Hoang Sa.
Flanking him are two warriors representing the dual missions of protection and resource collection during the perilous sea voyages.
The front of the monument bears the inscription “Vạn lý Hoàng Sa” (Ten Thousand Miles of Hoang Sa), affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty.
On the back is a line from Emperor Minh Mang’s 1836 imperial edict:
“Bản quốc hải cương Hoàng Sa xứ tối thị hiểm yếu,”
meaning “Hoang Sa holds an extremely vital position in the nation’s maritime frontier.”
This solemn monument has become an iconic symbol of Ly Son—marking the departure point of countless voyages where many never returned.
Exhibition Space – Over 100 Artifacts Affirming Maritime Sovereignty
The house features three main exhibition rooms with more than 100 artifacts and documents, including:
1) Ly Son – Tinh Ky: Homeland of the Hoang Sa Flotilla
- An introduction to the island’s formation and its cultural layers—from Sa Huynh to Champa to Dai Viet—the cradle of resilient seafarers.
2) Daily Life & Missions of the Hoang Sa – Truong Sa Soldiers
- A vivid reconstruction of their tools and equipment, such as:
- Traditional fishing boats (ghe bau, ghe cau)
- Reed mats, rattan ropes, bamboo splints
- Wooden identification tags engraved with names and hometowns
- Water jars and essential seafaring supplies
Accompanied by valuable photos of the Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Ceremony, wind graves, and ancestral houses of notable captains like Pham Quang Anh.
3) Historical Maps & Documents Affirming Sovereignty
- A collection of ancient Vietnamese, Chinese, and Western maps, including:
- Đại Nam Nhất Thống Toàn Đồ (Great Unified Map of Dai Nam)
- An Nam Đại Quốc Họa Đồ
- Western maritime charts identifying the Paracels as part of An Nam
These documents serve as clear historical and legal evidence of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.
The Hoang Sa Flotilla – The Pioneers Who Opened Vietnam’s Maritime Frontiers
From the late 16th to early 17th centuries, the Nguyen Lords established the Hoang Sa Flotilla, later expanded to include Bac Hai (Truong Sa). Each year, around 70 able men from An Vinh and An Hai villages (Ly Son) were selected for the mission.
Their duties included:
- Erecting sovereignty steles and markers
- Mapping sea routes
- Collecting marine resources and shipwreck items
- Conducting search and rescue missions
Due to the high risks, islanders held the Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Ceremony before each departure—praying for peace and protection, a tradition still preserved today.
Many soldiers never returned, leaving behind only wind graves (mộ gió)—symbolic tombs containing wooden effigies and memorial tablets. The islanders still recite the poignant folk verse:
“Hoang Sa’s waters stretch endlessly wide,
Those who depart often never return.”
Historical Value & Contemporary Significance
The exhibition house is not merely a repository of artifacts. It stands as a powerful testament to centuries of sovereignty, documenting how Vietnam consistently exercised control, administration, and protection over its maritime territories.
Today, it serves as a meaningful destination for travelers to Ly Son—offering a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by generations of Hoang Sa soldiers, while nurturing national pride and the collective duty to safeguard our seas and islands.
A Must-Visit on Ly Son Island
If you visit Ly Son—the “sacred island of the East Sea”—take time to explore the Hoang Sa – Bac Hai Naval Fleet Exhibition House.
This is more than a museum; it is a journey into history, where you can feel the weight of sacrifice, the power of heritage, and the enduring spirit of Vietnam’s love for the sea and its sovereignty.
