Participants pay tribute to heroic martyrs. Photo: VNA

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

The ceremony, with the participation of over 3,000 Buddhist monks and nuns as well as a large number of people from localities across the country, was part of activities to mark the 72^nd Day of War Veterans and Martyrs (July 27).

Participants recalled the glorious feat of arms of during the national defence of Vietnamese people, including the 81-day-and-night fighting to safeguard the Quang Tri ancient citadel, during which, more than 328,000 tonnes of bombs were poured into the area by the US, killing dozens of thousands of Vietnamese soldiers and people.

At the ceremony, Ha Sy Dong, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee underlined that those who laid down their life for the national independence and freedom will forever be remembered.

“We will exert every effort to make our homeland and the nation more prosperous to meet the expectation of the older 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 from localities across the country.

Within the ceremony’s framework, a lantern festival was also held on the Thach Han river.

More than 15,000 lanterns were lighted up on Thach Han river in Quang Tri province. Photo: tinhuyquangtri.vn

A wide range of activities is being held nationwide on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

Earlier, a lantern floating festival was held on Thach Han river in Quang Tri town of the central province of the same name on July 19.

More than 15,000 lanterns were lighted up in honour of the people who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and liberation.

Local resident Nguyen Thi Thuy said she attended lantern floating festival on Thach Han river every year to pay tribute to war martyrs.

More than 328,000 tonnes of explosives were used in Quang Tri town in 1972 during the war against the US.

A special art programme will take place at Road 9 National Martyrs Cemetery in the central province on July 26 night as part of the Road 9 Singing Festival to be co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the provincial People’s Committee and Thang Long Service and Communication JSC.

The programme will feature performances honouring patriotism as well as the great sacrifices by Vietnamese people to national liberation.

Also, a circus programme will also be held by the Vietnam Circus Federation in Hanoi from July 25-27 to mark War Invalids and Martyrs Day./.

VNF/VNA