On March 12, at the Gac Ma Memorial Site in Khanh Hoa Province, officers and youth union members of Naval Regiment 196 held a ceremony to offer incense and flowers in remembrance of 64 officers and sailors of the Vietnam People’s Navy who died in the 1988 Gac Ma battle.

In a solemn atmosphere, standing before the monument titled “Those Who Remain at the Horizon,” officers and soldiers observed a moment of silence, expressing deep gratitude to the 64 martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives at Gac Ma Reef in the Spratly Islands.

The Gac Ma battle took place on March 14, 1988.

During the confrontation against invading forces, 64 Vietnamese naval soldiers lost their lives in the waters while defending the nation’s sacred sovereignty in the East Sea.

Their blood, mingled with the sea, has become an enduring symbol of revolutionary heroism and devotion to the nation’s maritime territory.

The remembrance activity offered young members of Regiment 196 an opportunity to reflect on the courageous combat traditions of earlier generations.

It also served to strengthen awareness and responsibility among today’s generation in safeguarding the country’s sacred maritime sovereignty.

In their final moments, the fallen sailors were remembered for holding tightly to the national flag to affirm Vietnam’s sovereignty on the reef.

Naval Regiment 196 was established on August 2, 1996, and is the first submarine unit of the Vietnam People’s Navy.

The regiment is responsible for training, managing, commanding, and providing technical support for the submarine force - a strategic component in the defense posture protecting Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.

Submarines are often described as symbols of “invisible strength” beneath the sea.

They represent high-tech military assets that require absolute precision, secrecy, and strict discipline.

For that reason, building a strong support unit for submarine operations plays an important strategic role in the modernization process of the Vietnam People’s Navy.

Alongside the memorial ceremony at the Gac Ma site, the Youth Union of Regiment 196 also launched a series of initiatives during Youth Month.

These activities include environmental improvements, upgrading training grounds, and contributing to the development of a disciplined, green, clean, and well-organized military unit.

In addition, various community outreach programs, cultural activities, sports events, discussions, and youth forums are being organized to enrich the spiritual life of the soldiers and create a vibrant atmosphere of dedication and competition within the unit.