Thousands of young people and local residents from across Vietnam have lit thousands of candles in tribute of the nation’s war dead.
Candle light ceremony
The move is part of a series of events to commemorate those who gave their lives in defence of the country on the occasion of the Vietnam Martyrs\' and Invalids\' Day, July 27.
As many as 3,000 young people, along with a great deal of local residents, gathered at the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Cemetery in the central province of Nghe An’s Anh Son District to burn thousands of candles to remember the contribution made by thousands of young people to the country’s independence. The cemetery embraces over 11,000 volunteers who died fighting in neighbouring Laos.
Duong Duy Khanh, an official from Vietnam Steel Corporation said, “We bow in deep respect to the memory of these people. We vow to do our utmost to contribute to the national development.”
Yesterday evening, over 200 veterans, 50 former volunteers and over 1,200 young people joined a candle light ceremony at Nghe An’s Do Luong cemetery. The graveyard is home to remains of 1,500 soldiers who died during the Vietnam War.
The same activity was organised in the central province of Binh Dinh on the same day in order to commemorate nearly 500 soldiers buried at a cemetery in Hoai An District’s An Tuong Tay Commune.
“Joining this ceremony, I can understand more about great devotion of those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. I’d like to express my great gratitude to all of them,” local resident Hoa Thi Bich Dieu said.
Local authorities in Binh Dinh called at the houses of 11 Heroic Mothers who had lost their children through the defence of the country. They also granted three bicycles and gifts to underprivileged and outstanding students who are children of war invalids and victims of Agent Orange.
Over 1,500 young people lit over 5,000 candles at Can Tho City’s war cemetery.
Young people in Can Tho’s Binh Thuy, O Mon and Thot Not Districts also burned nearly 5,000 candles at local cemeteries.
Earlier, the Ministry of Finance in co-ordination with Quang Tri provincial authorities kicked off a project to upgrade Duong 9 National War Cemetery.
Authorities in Quang Tri together with thousands of young people in HCM City, Danang City, Quang Nam, Phu Yen and Thua Thien Hue provinces lit over 20,000 candles at Truong Son and Duong 9 National War cemeteries in Quang Tri.
Over 50 gifts worth over VND100 million (USD4,837) were handed over to former volunteers and soldiers in Quang Tri.
Photos of the ceremonies nationwide:
Candle light ceremony in Nghe An
Burning candles in Quang Binh
Litting candles in Binh Dinh
Ceremony in Can Tho City
Candle light ceremony in Quang Tri
