A candle-lighting ceremony in honour of war heroes and martyrs took place at the Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery in the central province of Quang Tri on July 26 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). 

At the candle-lighting ceremony

The event was co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs,the Ministry of Education and Training and Quang Tri province. 

At the ceremony, HCYU members offered incense, flowers and lighted candles at more than 11,000 martyrs’ tombs. 

Gifts were presented to Vietnamese heroic mothers, war invalids and policy beneficiary families in the province. 

In the evening of the same day, the HCYU Central Committee organised similar events at the Vi Xuyen Martyrs’ Cemetery in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, the Vietnam- Laos International Cemetery in the central province of Nghe An, the Hang Duong-Con Dao Martyrs’ Cemetery in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and the Martyrs’ Cemetery of Tan Bien district in the southwestern province of Tay Ninh. 

The programme “Candle lighting in honour of war heroes and martyrs” was also held at 3,181 martyrs’ cemeteries nationwide. 

On July 26, the Secretariat of the HCYU Central Committee visited and presented gifts to Vietnamese heroic mothers, martyrs and policy beneficiary families, offered free health check-ups and medicines to local people, inaugurated houses of gratitude and visited the Care Centre for Invalids and Social Protection in Quang Tri province. 

The HCYU chapters nationwide have raised a total of 19 billion VND to present 31,120 gift packages to Vietnamese heroic mothers, policy beneficiary families, revolution contributors, former vanguard youngsters and poor households.

The money was also used to repair 657 houses and build 94 houses of gratitude, offer health check-ups and medicines to 52,000 relatives of martyrs and Vietnamese heroic mothers. 

All district-level young doctors’ clubs nationwide have launched hotlines to offer health advices and taken care of 217 Vietnamese heroic mothers and martyrs’ families.

64 women in HCM City awarded with “Heroic Mother” title

Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan presents certificates for Heroic Mothers 

As many as 64 women whose husband and children laid down their lives in the struggle for national liberation and protection in Ho Chi Minh City were honoured with the “Vietnamese Heroic Mother” title on July 27.

Only five of them are alive.

Addressing the awarding ceremony, Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, who devoted their beloved to the struggle for national independence, freedom and unification.

He also asked local authorities to take care of living conditions of the mothers and their families.

To date, a total of 5,248 women in HCM City were awarded with the Vietnamese Heroic Mother title, with 278 being alive.

Memorial monument commemorating heroic martyrs inaugurated

A memorial monument commemorating heroic martyrs who fell on the Truong Son battlefield was inaugurated on July 27 at the border gate crossing between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The event aims to mark the 70th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27).

The project was kicked off in February, 2014 by charity program Nghia Tinh Truong Son' (Sentimental attachment for Truong Son Road) of Gon Giai Phong Newspaper, Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) and the People’s Committee of Kon Tum province.

The construction covering on an area of 3,600 square meters is located in the Lec Village, Ngoc Hoi District’s Bo Y Ward in the central highland province of Kon Tum. It includes a memorial house, a bell house and other facilities.

Five years ago, the charity program’s organizers inaugurated Ben Tat memorial monument in Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province and another at Long Dai pier in Quang Ninh District’s Hien Ninh Ward in Quang Binh Province tribute to heroic martyrs.

Launched from 2009-2013, the charity program, 'Nghia Tinh Truong Son' aimed help war heroes, war invalids, martyrs’ families, youth volunteers and the poor ethnic people that live along the provinces on Truong Son Road. During the resistance war against US invaders, the provinces along Truong Son suffered heavy losses and lost many human lives. The program collected around VND140 billion to build the Ho village historical site, 17 dispensaries and 1,351 houses in 44 cities and provinces throughout the country, besides inaugurating two Truong Son martyr commemorative temples and offering more than 2,000 scholarships.

Top leaders pay tribute to heroic martyrs, President Ho Chi Minh

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong offers incense to heroic martyrs 

A delegation of Party, State, Government, National Assembly and Vietnam Fatherland Front leaders on July 27 laid wreaths at the Monument for Heroic Martyrs and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

The delegation included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man and Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.

At the Monument for Heroic Martyrs, the delegation commemorated fallen combatants who laid down their lives to safeguard the country, as well as contributors to the cause of national liberation, construction and protection.

The same day, several delegations, including those from the Central Military Commission – the Ministry of National Defence, the Central Public Security Commission – the Ministry of Public Security, the Government Office, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Fatherland Committee of Hanoi, also laid wreaths in tribute to heroic martyrs and paid homage to President Ho Chi Minh.

The Vietnam Invalids and Martyrs Day is a special chance for the entire country to commemorate millions of martyrs and war invalids who sacrificed their lives and health during the wars.

Localities mark War Invalids and Martyrs Day

Tay Ninh on July 26 held a ceremony to commemorate and rebury 266 sets of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who laid down their lives in battlefields in Cambodia 

The southwestern province of Tay Ninh on July 26 held a ceremony to commemorate and rebury 266 sets of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who laid down their lives in battlefields in Cambodia. 

The martyrs were searched and repatriated from Cambodia by K70 search team of the Military Zone 7 and K71 search team of the Tay Ninh Military Command during the dry season in 2017. 

According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Tay Ninh has coordinated with Cambodian localities and relevant forces to bring home thousands of remains sets of Vietnamese martyrs. Most of them are now resting at the Hill 82 Cemetery in Tan Bien district. 

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27), Tay Ninh has bestowed posthumously the title of “Vietnamese Heroic Mothers” on nine mothers and presented the President’s Independence Orders to 31 families of martyrs. 

The same day, other localities nationwide, including the northern province of Thai Binh, which is home to 51,000 martyrs, 33,000 war invalids and nearly 34,000 Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin, the central province of Binh Dinh, Ho Chi Minh City, Soc Trang and Kien Giang provinces in the south organised a range of activities to pay homage to martyrs and honour those who had rendered great services to the nation.

NA leaders present gifts to policy beneficiary families

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan presents gifts to a policy beneficiary family 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visited and presented gifts to policy beneficiary families in Ho Chi Minh City’s outlying district of Cu Chi on July 26 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). 

On behalf of Party and State leaders, the NA Chairwoman expressed profound gratitude to war invalids, martyrs and revolution contributors for sacrifices and services during the cause of national liberation, construction and defence.

In the afternoon of the same day, Chairwoman Ngan together with leaders of the Party, State and Ho Chi Minh City laid wreaths and offered incense at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Cu Chi district and Ben Duoc Memorial Temple. 

At the temple, the top legislator visited an exhibition themed “Portraits of Ho Chi Minh City’s Heroic Vietnamese Mothers”. 

Ho Chi Minh City is now home to 5,184 heroic Vietnamese mothers, of whom 4,905 already passed away. 

The same day, NA Permanent Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong and a delegation of legislators paid tribute to fallen combatants at the Martyrs’ Cemetery of Trieu Phong district, the Road No.9 and Truong Son national cemeteries. They also visited the Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri. 

During the trip, she also visited and presented gifts to families of a local war invalid and two Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

PM asks for more efforts to care for revolution contributors

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presents gifts for revolutionary contributors at the event 

Caring for revolution contributors is an important and frequent political task of the Party and State, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the national conference commending outstanding individuals who rendered service to the nation held in Hanoi on July 26.

PM Phuc asked ministries, sectors and localities to thoroughly grasp the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, intensify educational campaigns to raise public awareness, and make the implementation of preferential policies for revolution contributors a duty and a frequent and long-term mission of the whole political system and the entire society.

He expressed his hope that the war invalids, wounded soldiers, families of war martyrs, and revolution contributors will continue promoting the patriotic tradition and contribute more to the national building cause.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), Vietnam has more than 9 million revolution contributors, including 1.2 million fallen soldiers, 127,000 Heroic Mothers, and 800,000 war invalids.

Over the past 5 years, over 75,000 sets of remains of fallen soldiers have been found and reburied. Of the total, 16,600 sets of remains were repatriated from Laos and 15,100 sets brought back from Cambodia.

The Party and State’s preferential policies have benefited 95.75 percent of the revolution contributors.

The national conference, jointly held by the MoLISA, the Ministries and Defence and Public Security, the Nhan Dan Newspaper, and the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, was attended by 700 Heroic Mothers, war invalids, wounded soldiers, and martyrs’ relatives.

Delegates watched documentaries on activities to show gratitude for those who rendered service to the nation, and heard stories of outstanding revolution contributors.

On the occasion of the 70th War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27), 70 outstanding revolution contributors nationwide were granted with the Prime Minister’s certificates of merits.

Vice President meets Vietnamese Heroic Mothers

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (6th, left) and delegates to the meeting 

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh shared heavy losses suffered by Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and women who have rendered great services to the nation at a meeting in Hanoi on July 26.

The event was held by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Central Committee on the threshold of the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). 

Over the past 70 years, the Party and State have issued and improved policies providing preferential treatment for revolution contributors, Thinh said, adding that agencies and localities have also paid due attention to raising living conditions of families of martyrs, war invalids and revolution contributors. 

Having applauded efforts made by the VWU and its chapters to honour and care for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and revolution contributors, the Vice President voiced her hope that the association will uphold its role and responsibility for the work and raise the awareness among its members about relevant policies and guidelines of the Party and State. 

President of the VWU Central Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said since 2008, the association’s chapters at all levels have mobilised more than 1 trillion VND (roughly 44 million USD) in support of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and revolution  contributors and build 50,000 houses for social policies beneficiary families, mothers of martyrs and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

HCM City honours 110 war invalids and their relatives

The HCM City Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee has honoured 60 war invalids and 50 relatives of wounded and sick soldiers. 

Sixty war invalids and 50 relatives of wounded and sick soldiers were honoured at a conference held by the HCM City’s Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee in the city on Tuesday.

The head of the city’s Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee, Tô Thị Bích Châu, said the people honoured at the conference had made great efforts in overcoming difficult circumstances.

She recalled the late President Hồ Chí Minh’s saying: “Thương binh tàn nhưng không phế” (Wounded soldiers are disabled but they are not discarded; they are still useful).

On the occasion of the annual 70th Day for War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27), the city honoured 60 war invalids who made sacrifices for national freedom and are now running businesses and making positive contributions to the development of the country.

Nguyễn Phan Tâm, 67, a wounded soldier in Củ Chi District, said he had invested in breeding pigs and had attended a training course in breeding. He now owns a farm with more than 1,000 pigs and 200 sows.

He also regularly participates in charitable works and helps disadvantaged residents in the locality.

The city also honoured 50 relatives of wounded and sick soldiers who had cared for the soldiers and family members with love and responsibility.

Lê Minh Dương, 77, who lives in District 9, takes care of his invalid wife, Nguyễn Thị Ánh, helping her eat her meals and taking care of her personal hygiene.

And Lê Hồng Ngọc, who lives in Phú Nhuận District, cares for her husband Nguyễn Hải Quý who has serious wounds that become more painful during cold weather.

Châu said the city authorities in collaboration with agencies had implemented many activities and special policies to care for war invalids and martyrs’ families, and support policy beneficiaries.

Since last year, the city has presented more than 3,500 gratitude houses to policy beneficiary families, renovated about 1,290 gratitude houses, and supported policy beneficiaries facing difficulties, she said.

Nguyễn Thị Quyết Tâm, chairwoman of the city’s People’s Council, said the city’s Party, State and relevant agencies should improve policies and take measures to pay tribute to those who have contributed to the nation’s independence.

To offer effective support, the city should follow the situation of heroic mothers, seriously wounded soldiers, and policy beneficiary families facing difficulties, she said.

To set an example for younger generations, city authorities should also continue discovering more good examples of people who should be honoured for their contributions.

Live television programme marks War Invalids and Martyrs Day

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presents flowers to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and revolutionary contributors 

A live television programme was held on July 26 by the Vietnam Television and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) to mark War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

The programme featured historical relic sites across the country, including Bac Son Martyrs Monument in Hanoi, Ben Duoc Martyrs Temple in Ho Chi Minh City, 27/7 National Historical Relic Site in the northern province of Thai Nguyen and Ancient Citadel in the central province of Quang Tri. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, along with veterans, revolutionary contributors and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers attended the event. 

The programme opened with a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of martyrs who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom. 

War Invalids and Martyrs Day was observed for the first time 70 years ago at the 27/7 National Historical Relic Site in Hung Son commune, Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province. 

Notably, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel witnessed a fierce struggle to protect the citadel and Quang Tri township in 1972. 

Thousands of soldiers sacrificed during the 81-day battle. The fight contributed to Vietnam’s triumph at the Paris Conference and was a prerequisite for the General Offensive and Uprising in 1975, which liberated the South and reunified the country. 

The programme also featured Con Dao prison in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where more than 20,000 prisoners were detained through its 113-year history. 

Among the 1,921 graves of martyrs in Hang Duong Cemetery in Con Dao island district, more than 700 have had their names and homeland identified. 

Through documentaries, participants at the event shared great losses suffered by relatives of martyrs, revolutionary contributors and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers. 

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and National Assembly leaders presented gifts to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and veterans. 

The same day, candle-lighting ceremonies were held at 3,077 martyrs cemeteries nationwide to pay tribute to fallen combatants.

VNA/VNS