Many activities have been held across the country to commemorate the upcoming Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947-2018).

A requiem ceremony was held in the central province of Quang Tri on July 21 to commemorate soldiers who died during an 81-day battle here in the summer of 1972 to safeguard the country.

At the ceremony. (Source: VNA)

Jointly held by the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Soldier Association and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), the ceremony was among activities to mark the 71^st anniversary of the Vietnam Invalids and Martyrs Day.

It was attended by representatives from ministries, departments and sectors, armed forces, local officials and heroic Vietnamese mothers, and over 3,000 dignitaries, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers nationwide.

Fierce fighting for control of the citadel, the central province’s symbol of power, started from June 28 and ended on September 26, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

The fight contributed to Vietnam’s triumph at the Paris Conference and was a prerequisite for the General Offensive and Uprising in the spring of 1975, which completely liberated the south and reunified the country.

The old citadel, just under 3,000sq.m, and a small area around it was bombarded by the combined fire power of American B52 strategic bombers, the 7^th Fleet and thousands of artillery pieces.

An estimated 328,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped on the old citadel and a small town of some 10,000 houses around it. By the time the fighting ended, the town was almost leveled. No houses remained intact.

In recent time, a series of activities have been organised by local authorities, organisations and those in and ouside the province to support families of wounded soldiers and martyrs. Hundreds of houses were presented to people who contributed to the revolution.

On the occasion, the Sai Gon - Hanoi Bank presented 20 houses worth VND 50 million (USD 2,184) each to members of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Soldier Association’s chapters nationwide. The Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam’s branches in Quang Tri and Ho Chi Minh City also gave 12 houses totaling 600 million VND (USD 26,210) to the families of invalids and martyrs in the locality.

Earlier, the Vietnam Red Cross Society on July 20 started construction of “Red-Cross houses” for disadvantaged veterans in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang who fought in the Vi Xuyen battle between 1979 and 1989. The houses were built at a total cost of over VND 4 billion (USD 174,000) raised with support of former President Truong Tan Sang.

Furthermore, 80 families of Vi Xuyen battle veterans will receive VND 60 million (USD 2,640) each to repair their houses.

The Vietnam Red Cross Society started construction of “Red-Cross houses” for disadvantaged veterans in Ha Giang who fought in the Vi Xuyen battle (Photo: daidoanket.vn)

At the event, Thao Hong Son, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee of Ha Giang and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council asked local authorities to take care of living conditions of those who have made contribution to the country and their families.

On the evening of the same day, a lantern floating festival was held in the central province of Quang Tri, with the participation of martyrs’ family members, tourists and local residents. More than 15,000 lanterns were lightened up on the province’s Thach Han river.

The lantern floating festival was held on Thach Han river of Quang Tri province on July 20. (Photo: VNA)

On the occasion, organisers of the festival also presented 32 houses of gratitude worth VND 50 million (USD 2,170) each to families of policy beneficiaries and gift sets to two Heroic Mothers in the province.

Meanwhile, the central city of Da Nang has offered presents worth nearly VND 11 billion (USD 478,500) to local people who rendered services to the nation.

In the south central province of Ninh Thuan, 10 houses were presented to disadvantaged war veterans in Phan Rang - Thap Cham city. Families of the veterans also received VND 5 million (USD 220).

Ninh Thuan is home to 302 poor war soldiers, accounting for 4.78 per cent of total number of veterans in the province. Eighty of them are living in dilapidated houses, according to Chairman of the provincial Association of War Veterans Nguyen Van Thuan./.

VNF/VNA