Evidence: The 1827 World Atlas's Asian volume has 111 maps. Vietnam's territory is included in four detailed maps including "Partie de la Cochinchine", which indicates clearly that the Paracels was recognised as part of Vietnam (known in the West at that time as Cochinchine).

Researchers and authorities yesterday affirmed that the World Atlas drawn by Belgian geographer Philippe Vandermaelen proved Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracels and Spratlys.

The Ministry of Information and Communications displayed the maps to the public in Hanoi to raise awareness about the nation's indisputable sovereignty, Minister Nguyen Bac Son said.

Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc from Hanoi National University, vice chairman of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, found the maps at a bookstore in Belgium.

Aware of the importance of the document, the Ministry of Information and Communications purchased the atlas with support from Ngo Chi Dung, director of ECO Pharmaceutical Company.

Vandermaelen (1795-1869) was a famous Belgian cartographer and eminent geographer. He was a member of the Paris Geography Association and founder of the Belgian Royal Geography Association.

The World Atlas, published in 1827, is one of the works that made him famous. It comprises six volumes with seven general maps of five continents, 381 detailed maps, 40 pages of statistics and chapters on natural, political and mineral geography. All the maps can be pieced together into a globe measuring 7.75m in diameter.

"This is a great landmark for the development of map printing and drawing technology in the early 19th century," said Ngoc.

The Asian volume has 111 maps. Vietnam's territory is included in four detailed maps including "Partie de la Cochinchine", which indicates clearly that the Paracels was recognised as part of Vietnam (known in the West at that time as Cochinchine).

The map reflects scientific accuracy of a very high level, according to Prof Ngoc. The Paracels were drawn in detail and the map includes an introduction on the geography, politics, minerals and statistics of the Empire of An Nam (the former name of Vietnam).

Prof Ngoc also worked on the "Partie de la Chine" showing Guangdong and Hainan, China's southernmost boundary. All Chinese maps from the 20th century backwards are identical to the Western maps, with no indication that China's southernmost territory extends beyond the 18th latitude, while the Paracels stretched from about the 16th latitude to the 17th latitude.

"China has no sovereignty over the Paracels," said Ngoc. "The World Atlas in general and the ‘Partie de la Cochinchine' in particular can be considered priceless documents as well as convincing evidence for the sacred sovereignty of Vietnam."