An anniversary to commemorate 64 Vietnamese soldiers who died defending Gac Ma (Johnson South Reef ) was held in the central city of Da Nang on March 13.

They were soldiers died fighting Chinese forces in the Spratly archipelago on March 14th, 1988.   

The event saw the participation of relatives of the soldier and surviving veterans.

Le Thi Lan from Danang City whose son Nguyen Huu Loc died, lost him aged just 20.

On the evening of March 12, a ceremony to float lanterns was also organised in Cam Nhuong Commune, Cam Xuyen District, Ha Tinh Province as part of activities for the commemoration. 

A 2.5-hectare memorial site dedicated to 64 navy soldiers was inaugurated in Cam Lam District, Khanh Hoa Province last year.

The USD6.8 million was funded by contributions from trade unions, the public and agencies nationwide, as well as from donations from Vietnamese communities abroad.

The anniversary to commemorate 64 Vietnamese soldiers who died defending Gac Ma was held in Da Nang City on March 13 Mother of a soldier who died defending Gac Ma, part of the Spratly Archipelago, cried at the ceremony Veterans of the battle on Gac Ma were moved meeting each other again      On the evening of March 12, a ceremony to float lanterns was also organised in Cam Nhuong Commune, Cam Xuyen District, Ha Tinh Province as part of activities for the commemoration

Dtinews