VietNamNet Bridge – Former prisoners of war and political prisoners in the former Sai Gon regime's prisons yesterday, April 26, recalled their sufferings as well as the courage, determination and solidarity at a meeting held to celebrate the 36th National Liberation Day (April 30, 1975-2011).

Attending the gathering of more than 500 American War veterans were former Vice President Truong My Hoa, Deputy Minister of National Defence Phan Trung Kien and Le Thanh Hai, the HCM City Party Committee Secretary.

Participants recalled the times they were incarcerated and tortured by the enemy.

Hoa exchanged memories with Phan Thi Quyen, wife of Hero Nguyen Van Troi, of the time when they were detained in the same prison. The story of Troi and the couple's marriage was also recounted at the gathering.

HCM City's Former Political Prisoners Liaison Board presented five houses worth VND40 million (US$1,900) each to former war prisoners as well as 202 bank savings books with VND10 million ($476) each to political prisoners in difficult circumstances. A benefit concert was held for them in the city on April 18.

Out of 11,000 former political prisoners in HCM City freed from the US-backed Sai Gon regime's prisons in 1975, nearly 8,000 are still alive and about 10 per cent are in very difficult circumstances.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News