War Veterans and Residents Pay Tribute to Fallen Soldiers in Gac Ma Battle
War veterans and residents on March 13 night released lanterns into Ha Tinh sea in commemoration of naval soldiers who sacrificed their lives while safeguarding Gac Ma Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago 34 years ago.
 |
| War veterans and relatives of the martyrs released lanterns into Thien Cam sea in Cam Xuyen district, the central province of Ha Tinh, on March 13 night, according to Tien phong (Vanguard) newspaper. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| Relatives of the martyrs and war veterans come from Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces, with lanterns prepared earlier. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| The ceremony is held annually to commemorate the 64 fallen soldiers who died defending Gac Ma Reef in the Spratly archipelago on March 14, 1988. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| Lanterns are prepared by relatives of the martyrs. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| Tens of war veterans and relatives of the martyrs are present at the ceremony. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| Veterans and relatives of the martyrs are about to release the lanterns into the sea. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| “We gather here to pay tribute to our brother – a soldier who died safeguarding Gac Ma Reef 34 years ago,” a relative of martyr Dao Kim Cuong said. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 |
| Le Huu Thao, a war veteran, said the ceremony is also intended to remind young generations about the sacrifice and contributions of the martyrs to defending the country’s sacred sovereignty over its seas and islands. Photo: Tien phong newspaper |
 | PM Pays Fact-Finding Trip to Cam Lam District of Khanh Hoa Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a fact-finding trip to Cam Lam district of Khanh Hoa on March 12, part of his working visit to ... |
 | Truong Sa (Spratly) 1988 - Dossier on Historical Incident: Diplomacy and Reality In the aftermath of the American War, the Vietnamese economy and government faced many difficulties. Despite these hardships, Vietnam has always protected its sea, islands, ... |
 | Vietnam Asks Taiwan to Stop Illegal Live-Fire Drills The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said Taiwan’s holding military drills off Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago is a serious violation of its sovereignty. |
Related Stories
Seas and islands
Moved by Hundreds of Handwritten Letters from Schoolchildren Sent to Truong Sa Archipelago
On the morning of August 4, in Bac Cam Ranh Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, Naval Region 4 Command held a ceremony to deliver hundreds of handwritten letters from students at Van Bao Primary School (Hanoi) to officers, soldiers, and residents of the Truong Sa special zone.
August 07, 2025 | 10:05
Seas and islands
Spreading the Love for the Fatherland from the Sea and Islands
From May 23 to 29, Working Delegation No. 25, comprising 100 leaders and journalists from media agencies across the country, visited officers, soldiers, and civilians on the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and DK1 platform.
June 01, 2025 | 16:11
Viet's Home
Vietnamese Soldiers Hand Over Classrooms and Kitchen to African Children
On June 12, the working group led by Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son (Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army) attended the inauguration ceremony and handed over two 30 sqm classrooms and a kitchen to the E.C.S.S Nyinkuac Primary School in Abyei (Africa).
June 14, 2024 | 15:51
Seas and islands
Love from the Mainland: Mother and Son Reunite on Truong Sa
For many years, delegations from Ho Chi Minh City have visited and encouraged officers, soldiers, and people living and working in the Truong Sa archipelago.
July 21, 2024 | 09:15
Recommended
Seas and islands
COV Builds 2 Classrooms at Thon Cat School of Quang Ngai
Quang Ngai People's Committee has issued Decision No. 1013/QD-UBND dated September 10, 2025 approving the Project Document for the Construction of 02 classrooms at Thon Cat school, Tra Thanh Kindergarten, Thanh Bong commune, Quang Ngai province sponsored by Children of Vietnam (COV).
September 14, 2025 | 08:11
Seas and islands
Joyful School Opening Ceremony in Truong Sa
In harmony with the nationwide atmosphere of the 2025-2026 school year opening, on the morning of September 5, the sound of school drums echoed across the islands of Truong Sa, Song Tu Tay, Sinh Ton, and Da Tay.
September 07, 2025 | 07:10
Seas and islands
Meaningful Back-to-school Gifts for Students in Need
On the afternoon of September 3, in Phuoc Hai commune, Ho Chi Minh City, the 171st Brigade, Naval Region 2 visited and gave gifts to Nguyen Le Phat Loc and Hoang Tuan Anh as the new school year approaches.
September 06, 2025 | 07:08
Seas and islands
Truong Sa Military Doctors Swiftly Save Fisherman From Stroke
On August 25, military doctors on Truong Sa Island, under Brigade 146 of Navy Region 4, promptly rescued a fisherman from Quang Ngai Province who suffered a stroke and became paralyzed on one side while fishing at sea.
August 27, 2025 | 15:06
Popular article
Seas and islands
An Giang: Strict Inspections and Penalties for Fishing Violations at Sea
An Giang province is strengthening patrols, inspections, and control at sea, with a particular focus on closely monitoring “three no’s” fishing vessels (no registration, no license, no monitoring equipment), vessels at high risk of violating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, and those operating near the maritime boundaries of other countries.
August 19, 2025 | 16:03
Seas and islands
Hue: Improving Fishermen's Livelihoods and Raising Legal Awareness for Offshore Fishing
On August 1, the program "Lighting the Sea with Fishermen" took place in Hue City, offering various practical gifts, including medical kits, battery sets, and light bulbs to local fishermen, with the aim of encouraging and supporting them to continue venturing offshore and maintaining their livelihoods at sea.
August 04, 2025 | 11:12
Seas and islands
Naval Region 1 Takes Proactive Measures in Response to Storm No. 3 (Wipha)
The Command of Naval Region 1 has issued directives and implemented various proactive and active measures to prevent and respond to Storm No. 3 (Wipha), particularly for units stationed in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.
July 21, 2025 | 11:24
Seas and islands
An Giang: “Comrade's House” Handed Over to Soldier Facing Housing Difficulties
In Rach Gia Ward (An Giang), the Naval Region 5 Command held a handover ceremony for a “Comrade's House” to a soldier experiencing housing difficulties while serving at the unit on July 2.
July 04, 2025 | 15:04