A requiem was held for Vietnamese martyrs who laid down their lives in Laos, with the participation of officials of the host country, and representatives of various Vietnamese authorities and community in Laos. Source: VOV

A grand requiem for Vietnamese martyrs who sacrificed on Lao battlefields was held on July 24 in Pek district, Xiengkhuang province, Northern Laos. This is an activity to respond to Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship and the 75th anniversary of Vietnam's Day of Martyrs and Invalids (July 27).

The function was held by the Vietnamese Community of Xiengkhuang province, the Lao Front Committee for national construction in Xiengkhuang province, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and the provincial Lao Buddhist Sangha co-organized the event.

Attending the ceremony were the Consulate General of Vietnam in Luang Prabang, Kieu Thi Hang Phuc, representatives of the provincial government, departments, departments and branches of Xiengkhuang province, veterans who are volunteers and Vietnamese military veterans who fought in Laos, Laotian veterans and a large number of Vietnamese community living in the province and thousands of people from all walks of life in the province.

The requiem is to express deep gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives during the two resistance wars for national independence and freedom. The countries and peoples of Vietnam and Laos forever bear in their mind the great devotion by the martyrs.

Chanphaxone Bounsouk, a resident of Phonsavan town, shared that Vietnamese heroes and martyrs sacrificed themselves to help Laos gain independence, so we are here to perform the ritual offering according to Lao customs to express gratitude for the sacrifice and pray for the souls of the martyrs.

Representatives of the former soldiers also said the noble sacrifices by their comrades in arms will live eternally in the hearts of the peoples, and recalled their memorable days in Laos.

Lao monks perform the ritual of praying for heroes and martyrs of Vietnam and Laos. Source: VNA

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People in Xiengkhuang Ha Van Canh said that the Party, Government, and armies of the two countries have made great efforts to find and repatriated remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos. So far, nearly 13,000 remains of martyrs who died in three provinces of Xiengkhuang, Xaysomboun, and Vientianehave been brought back for burial in Vietnam.

However, there are still many martyrs who have not found because the search is getting more and more difficult, he said.

Leaders of Xiengkhuang province have allocated 10 hectares in Pek district's Nhuon village to build a temple to worship Vietnamese and Lao martyrs. This place will be the common home of the Vietnamese and Laotian martyrs.

Compatriots and relatives of the martyrs can come here to express gratitude to heroes who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom, to recall the glorious tradition of the nation in the fight against foreign invaders and to educate young generations about the value of peace and the boundless sacrifice of the Vietnamese soldiers helping the Lao revolution.

Lao veterans and people offer incense and flowers to heroes and martyrs of the two countries at the grand requiem. Photo: VNA

This is the first temple built by the Vietnamese community in Laos to commemorate the two countries’ heroes and martyrs who laid down their lives during the nations’ struggle for independence.

During 1969 - 1972, the liberated zone of the Plain of Jars in Xiengkhuang was occupied by the enemy. In that critical situation, the Party, Government, and army of Vietnam sent support to the Lao revolution at the request of the neighbouring country.

A large number of voluntary soldiers and experts from Vietnam came to stand by side with the Lao troops and people to fight against the common enemy. Many officers and soldiers of the two countries sacrificed their lives in those battles. More than 15,000 Vietnamese soldiers and military experts fell down in Xiengkhuang, Xaysomboun, and Vientiane provinces alone.

Canh added the Vietnamese community in Xiengkhuang views the temple building as part of the following generation’s responsibility to express gratitude to the countries’ heroes and martyrs.

Talking to the VNA during the start of the temple construction in March, Bouasy Nathavong, President of the Lao Front for National Construction Committee in Xiengkhuang, highly valued the temple construction by the Vietnamese community and the two countries’ philanthropists.

She attributed the good life the Lao people have today to the countries’ heroes and martyrs, affirming that the local administration will provide the best possible conditions for the temple to be completed on schedule.

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