A solemn memorial and reburial ceremony was held on 25/5 at Nam Martyrs' Cemetery in Tu My commune, Ha Tinh province, for 9 Vietnamese martyrs. The event saw the attendance of Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, alongside representatives from central agencies, the Military Region 4 Command, leaders of Ha Tinh province, and delegations from the Vientiane capital special task force and Bolikhamxay province of Laos.
The 9 martyrs' remains were meticulously found and exhumed by the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command's Martyrs' Remains Repatriation Team during the 2025-2026 dry season in Laos. One remains was discovered in Vientiane capital, while the other 8 were located in Bolikhamxay province.
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Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, Ha Tinh Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Lam (front row, from right) and delegates moved the martyrs' remains to their final resting place on 25/5. Photo: Hung Le |
Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, Ha Tinh Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Lam (front row, from right) and delegates moved the martyrs' remains to their final resting place on 25/5. Photo: Hung Le
During the ceremony, delegates offered flowers and incense to commemorate the martyrs. They expressed deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by these individuals for the nation's independence, freedom, and in fulfilling their international obligations. Following the memorial service, the remains were respectfully interred at Nam Martyrs' Cemetery.
Nguyen Thi Nguyet, Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee, conveyed profound appreciation for the martyrs' sacrifices. She highlighted their critical role in national liberation and international duties, noting that many Vietnamese volunteer cadres, soldiers, and experts fought and died in Laos, thereby nurturing the special friendship between the two countries.
Historically, from 1949 to 1989, Vietnam dispatched forces to assist the Lao revolution, organizing them into a distinct system known as "volunteer soldiers." During this period, thousands of cadres and soldiers sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries on the battlefield in the friendly nation.
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Nam Martyrs' Cemetery is currently the resting place for over 1.200 martyrs who sacrificed for the revolutionary cause and international obligations. Photo: Xuan Sinh |
Nam Martyrs' Cemetery is currently the resting place for over 1.200 martyrs who sacrificed for the revolutionary cause and international obligations. Photo: Xuan Sinh
Vietnam and Laos annually collaborate on search, repatriation, and reburial efforts for martyrs' remains. This crucial task is jointly undertaken by the provincial military forces of both nations.
Ha Tinh province, sharing a 145 km border with Laos, maintains close ties with neighboring Lao localities across economic, cultural, and social sectors. The province itself experienced significant losses, with nearly 1.000 martyrs and 2.000 wounded soldiers from Ha Tinh sacrificing or being injured in Laos during various conflicts.
Since 1999, Ha Tinh has partnered with the Lao government to search for and repatriate 835 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died on Lao soil, bringing them back to Vietnam for reburial.
Duc Hung
