Honoring the Fallen: Incense Offering for the 37th Anniversary of Gac Ma

On the morning of March 13, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Labor Confederation, in collaboration with various civic organizations, held an incense offering ceremony in remembrance of 64 naval officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Gac Ma event of 1988.
March 15, 2025 | 21:03
Overseas Vietnamese Commemorate Fallen Soldiers in Gac Ma Battle
Commemoration Ceremony for 64 Soldiers who Fell while Protecting Gac Ma Island

The ceremony took place at the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Site in Cam Lam District, organized by the Khanh Hoa Labor Confederation in coordination with the Cam Lam District authorities. It marked the 37th anniversary of the Gac Ma event (March 14, 1988 – March 14, 2025), honoring the bravery and sacrifice of the Vietnamese Navy soldiers who fought to defend national sovereignty over the maritime islands.

Honoring the Fallen: Incense Offering for the 37th Anniversary of Gac Ma
Dang Ngoc Tung, former president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (center), Nguyen Hoa (left), former president of the Khanh Hoa Labor Confederation, and Phan Thanh Liem, pesident of the Khanh Hoa Labor Confederation, offer incense at the Gac Ma Memorial Site.

During the commemoration, attendees reflected on the tragic yet heroic events of March 14, 1988. On that fateful day, 64 Vietnamese naval soldiers fought valiantly to protect Gac Ma Reef, sacrificing their lives in defense of the nation's sacred maritime sovereignty. Their sacrifice contributed to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity for the country and its people.

The Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Site spans over 25,000 square meters, with its first phase completed in 2017. It is currently managed by the Khanh Hoa Provincial Labor Confederation under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

Each year, thousands of labor union members and hundreds of thousands of visitors come to pay their respects and participate in tribute activities. The memorial serves as a site for historical education on national sovereignty and patriotic values.

Honoring the Fallen: Incense Offering for the 37th Anniversary of Gac Ma
Officers and soldiers of Naval Region 4 solemnly bow in respect before the heroic spirits of the Gac Ma martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnam’s sacred maritime sovereignty.

Inside the exhibition area, the personal belongings and photographs of the 64 fallen soldiers have been systematically organized and labeled, allowing visitors easy access to historical insights.

With deep reverence and gratitude, the delegation—comprising leaders from various generations, labor union officials, and representatives from Cam Lam District—lit incense to honor the 64 heroes.

"We pledge to follow in their footsteps, standing united under the leadership of the Party and the Labor Confederation, striving in our work and production efforts to contribute to the nation's development," a representative of the delegation stated.

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