Historian Phan Thuan An donated a document December 25 from the Nguyen dynasty, showing Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, to the Thua Thien Hue Province People’s Committee...

The historic document was drawn up at the palace of Princess Ngoc Son, the daughter of King Dong Khanh, in the royal citadel of Hue.

Written in Vietnamese and French, the paper from the royal court of King Bao Dai stated that the King approved the award of the Long Tinh Medal to Louis Fontan from Kho Xanh soldiers stationed in Hoang Sa archipelago on February 3, 1939.

On February 2, 1939, an official from the French Resident Superior Graffeuil requested King Bao Dai award the Long Tinh Medal to Louis Fontan from a guard team at Hoang Sa archipelago.

Mr. Fontan was stricken with malaria at the time he was stationed at Hoang Sa archipelago and died in a hospital in Hue.

On February 3, 1939, Chief of Cabinet of the King Pham Quynh submitted the document to King Bao Dai for approval and the king noted chuan (agree) on the document.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tran Dinh Tung copied the document and submitted it to the King.

Mr. Fontan was awarded the Long Tinh Medal for protecting the Hoang Sa archipelago under the Nguyen dynasty.

The document is an evidence reiterating Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, said historian Phan Thuan An

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