Hanoi, Da Nang, HCM City march against China’s illegal actions

Thousands of people in the three largest cities of Vietnam took the streets on May 11, protesting against China’s illegal installation of its drilling rig HD-981 and deployment of escort vessels and aircraft in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

Thousands of people in the three largest cities of Vietnam - Hanoi, HCM City and Da Nang - took the streets on May 10-11, protesting against China’s illegal installation of its drilling rig HD-981 and deployment of escort vessels and aircraft in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

In Hanoi, people gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy on Hoang Dieu Street on Sunday morning. They then marched through the roads of Tran Phu, Dien Bien Phu, Hang Bong to the Hoan Kiem Lake, Trang Tien Road and stopped at the August Revolution Square in front of the Hanoi Opera House.

Protesters carried large band rolls reading “We love Vietnam,” “China, withdraw its oil rig from Vietnam’s territorial waters,” "Sovereignty is sacred and inviolable" , "China must adhere to international law," "Silence is coward"...

Not only intellectuals, artists, elderly and young people, but children took part in the peaceful demonstration.

In HCM City, protesters grouped up in front of the HCM City Theatre and Dong Khoi Road on May 11.

They travelled past the city’s major roads and streets such as Le Loi, Pham Ngoc Thach, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, and Nguyen Du.

Protesters said they would march in peace, hoping to rally the entire nation in protest against China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pham Duc Loc, a local resident from Go Vap district, said China’s provocation has caused outrage among the Vietnamese people.

“Through the peaceful march, we would like the world and especially China to understand that we love peace and our Vietnamese nation, and we are determined to protect it,” he said.

Earlier on May 10, nearly 1,000 people attended a meeting at HCM City’s Youth Cultural Centre, voicing their strong opposition to China’s illegal actions in the East Sea.

In the central city of Da Nang, hundreds of people grouped up in front of the 2/9 monument to protest China's illegal actions.

In Hue City and Quang Nam Province, hundreds of people participated in meetings against China's acts.

In Hanoi

{keywords}