On the morning of July 25, to mark the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, VietNamNet, in coordination with the Tuyen Quang provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, presented gifts to war invalids, sick veterans, relatives of martyrs and beneficiary families in Vi Xuyen commune, Tuyen Quang province.

Vi Xuyen was one of the fiercest battlefields during the fight to defend Vietnam's northern border from 1979 to 1989.

During the fighting, soldiers courageously defended every inch of the country's sacred territory with the determination to "not give up an inch of land or move back a fraction," holding every hilltop, cliff and strategic height with the courageous spirit of "clinging to the rocks to fight while alive, becoming immortal stone in death."

At the Vi Xuyen front, more than 4,000 officers and soldiers died and more than 9,000 were wounded.

To this day, the remains of thousands of officers and soldiers are still scattered among rocky crevices and deep valleys and have yet to be found and repatriated.

To commemorate the 79th War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2026, VietNamNet coordinated with the Tuyen Quang provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, as well as the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Vi Xuyen commune, to present 191 gifts to beneficiary families and people with meritorious service.

The gifts included nine packages worth VND2 million each and 182 packages worth VND1 million each.

Funding for the gifts was contributed by VietNamNet readers through the "Gratitude in July" program.

The VietNamNet delegation was led by Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Ba, with Deputy Editor-in-Chief Le The Vinh serving as deputy head of the delegation.

The delegation from the Tuyen Quang Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs was led by Nguyen Van Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Committee's Executive Committee and Director of the Tuyen Quang Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.

Also attending the program were Mai Duc Thong, Member of the Provincial Party Committee's Executive Committee and Director of Tuyen Quang Newspaper, Radio and Television; Dinh The Manh, Secretary of the Vi Xuyen Commune Party Committee; and Ly Xuan Tien, Vice Chairman of the Vi Xuyen Commune People's Committee.

Guided by the traditions of "when drinking water, remember its source" and "repaying gratitude," VietNamNet organizes its "Gratitude in July" program to express appreciation to heroic martyrs, war invalids, sick veterans, martyrs' relatives and beneficiary families.

The program also connects donors in an effort to provide better care for people with meritorious service across the country.

Speaking at the gift presentation ceremony, VietNamNet Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Van Ba said that, in fulfilling its role as the official media outlet of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, VietNamNet consistently carries out its responsibility to communicate the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws.

At the same time, the newspaper actively implements social welfare activities and supports ethnic minority communities, mountainous areas, people with meritorious service to the revolution and those facing difficult circumstances, helping spread a spirit of solidarity and community responsibility.

"The 191 gifts presented today may not be great in material value, but they embody the affection and gratitude of VietNamNet's staff, reporters and editors, together with businesses, benefactors and readers. We hope these small gifts will bring additional joy and encouragement to the families so they can continue upholding revolutionary traditions, while inspiring a sense of responsibility and gratitude among today's generation toward those who contributed and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland," Nguyen Van Ba said.

On behalf of the locality, Ly Xuan Tien, Vice Chairman of the Vi Xuyen Commune People's Committee, said each gift presented that day carried not only the heartfelt sentiments of the donors but also symbolized society's profound gratitude for the noble contributions and sacrifices of heroic martyrs, war invalids, sick veterans and people with meritorious service to the revolution.

"For Vi Xuyen, that gratitude carries particularly profound significance. This borderland has entered the nation's history as a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism. Every mountain and every inch of land here is steeped in the sweat, blood and sacrifice of countless officers and soldiers who fought courageously to firmly defend the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland," Ly Xuan Tien said.

Receiving a gift from VietNamNet readers, 87-year-old Doan Thi Thien of Village 25, Vi Xuyen commune, could not hide her emotion.

Thien is the wife of martyr Tran Van Khoat, who died in 1968 on the Quang Tri battlefield.

"Nearly 60 years have passed, but I still cannot overcome how much I miss my husband. My children and I have always been proud of his sacrifice for the country's peace. I am also deeply grateful that, over the years, our family has consistently received care and support from the Party, the State, local authorities and organizations," Thien said.

Phi Thi Tam, 86, of Village 26 in Vi Xuyen, was also moved to tears as she received a gift from VietNamNet.

Tam is the mother of martyr Nguyen Van Luong, who died at the age of 21 in Tuyen Quang.

"My son sacrificed his life decades ago, but every July 27, organizations still visit and show their care. This moves me deeply and makes me feel that my son's sacrifice continues to be remembered and appreciated by later generations," Tam said.

Captain Hoang The Cuong, 69, of Village 9 in Vi Xuyen commune, said the care and gratitude shown to former soldiers gave them further motivation to continue upholding the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, live happy and healthy lives, provide spiritual support for their children and grandchildren, and contribute to the community.

Before traveling to the locality to present the gifts, the VietNamNet delegation coordinated with the Tuyen Quang provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Thanh Thuy Commune People's Committee, Thanh Thuy International Border Gate Border Guard Station and Vi Xuyen Commune People's Committee to offer incense at Memorial Site 468 and Vi Xuyen National Martyrs Cemetery.

In a solemn atmosphere, members of the delegation paid their respects to President Ho Chi Minh and the heroic martyrs who sacrificed and contributed to the nation's independence and freedom.

The incense offerings also expressed gratitude to earlier generations, adding deeper meaning to the journey of sharing and remembrance in July.

Linh Trang - Pham Hai