A requiem for heroic martyrs was held on July 20 in the southern bank of the historical Thach Han river in the central province of Quang Tri.

Delegates offering incense in commemoration of fallen soldiers

Over 3,000 Buddhist monks and nuns as well as a large number of people from across the country attended the ceremony, which was part of activities to mark the 72nd Day of War Veterans and Martyrs (July 27).

At the event, participants recalled the courageous spirit of the soldiers and people in the cause of national defence, including the tenacious 81-day-and-night fight to safeguard the Quang Tri ancient citadel, under heavy bombardment (the area was hit by 328,000 tonnes of bombs, dozens of thousands Vietnamese soldiers and civilians were killed).

Those who laid down their life for the country's independence and freedom will forever be remembered, noted Ha Sy Dong, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee.

“We will exert every effort to make our homeland and the nation more prosperous to meet the expectation of the previous generations and the martyrs,” stated Dong.

On the occasion, the T&T group and the Saigon-Hanoi Bank presented 40 houses for families of poor war veterans.

As part of the ceremony, a lantern festival was also held on the Thach Han river.

( VNF )