Vietnam's War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27): History, Significance and Celebrations

	Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung: Biography and Working History
	VUFO gifts USD 1.500 to revolution contributors
	Vietnamese community in Germany commemorates Day of War Invalids and Martyrs

War Invalids and Martyrs Day: History

After the August 1945 Revolution, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born. However, because the revolutionary government was still young, the French colonialists plotted to return to invade our country.

The French colonialists had succeeded in replacing Chiang Kai-shek in Northern and attempted to invade our country again. Resolutely defending the revolutionary achievements, preserving the country's independence, the entire army and our people fought valiantly in places where the French colonialists occupied. Many soldiers, our compatriots were wounded and permanently resided in the battlefield.

The pain that covered the whole nation, many families lost both husband and children. Many young wives only enjoy happiness for one day. In order to help ease the pain of loss of the soldiers' families and people, as reported by Science Info, the Vietnamese government has moved to establish an organization, called the Association to help soldiers die.

In early 1946, the Association helped the dead soldiers (later renamed the Association to help injured soldiers) was established in Thuan Hoa, Binh Tri Thien, in Hanoi and many other places. President Ho Chi Minh was invited to be the honorary president of the Association to help soldiers die.

On the afternoon of May 28, 1946, the 'Helping Victims' Association ' held an important talk at Hanoi Opera House and Ho President attended.

On the afternoon of July 11, 1946, at this Theater, there was a fundraiser for donating clothes and shoes for soldiers on the front, opening the campaign of 'winter soldiers'. Here, Uncle Ho took off his worn coat to give to soldiers.

When the national resistance broke out on December 19, 1946, the number of people injured and sacrificed increased. The life of our soldiers and compatriots met many difficulties.

Party and State have decided many important policies related to the work of war invalids and martyrs to ensure the material and spiritual life of policy families in the early period of the resistance war. The conference agreed on July 27, 1947, as the National War Day.

Delegates join candle lighting ceremony in commemoration of heroic martyrs in Dong Loc T- Junction historical site. Photo: SGGP

In June 1947, representatives of the Viet Minh General Department, the National Women's Union, the Vietnam National Army Political Bureau, Nha propaganda information and a number of localities met in Dai Tu - Thai Nguyen.

The content of the meeting is to implement the direction of President Ho Chi Minh to select the anniversary of War invalids and martyrs and protect the war invalids and martyrs.

After reviewing, the Conference agreed to take on July 27, 1947 as the National War Day. This is considered an important rally with 2000 participants in Thai Nguyen.

According to VOV News, in 1947, President Ho Chi Minh designated July 27 as national War Invalids Day, which was later renamed War Invalids and Martyrs Day, to call on society to honor and support war invalids and martyrs’ families in acknowledgement of their contributions to the nation. Over the years, caring for national contributors and their relatives has been strongly supported by agencies, sectors, and social organizations.

Nowadays, each year on this day, officials at every level of government take part in visiting, cleaning, and decorating graves and burning incense for veterans in cemeteries. During most of Vietnam’s wartime history, there were many soldiers who fell without any personal information known about them, so later monuments to unnamed martyrs were built in various locations to commemorate them.

Vietnamese history has recorded many cases during wars where mothers lost all their children. One well-known case was of a mother who lost all nine of her children when they sacrificed themselves for their country. Those women have the honorary title of 'bà mẹ Việt nam anh hùng', meaning “Vietnamese heroic mothers,” conferred on them. On Vietnam’s Invalids and Martyrs Day, State officials not only come to visit and give gifts to invalids, but also take time to visit and encourage families of martyrs and heroic Vietnamese mothers.

In order to show its gratitude, the Vietnamese State has also enacted a policy on increasing the grades on university entrance exams for the children of invalids and martyrs. Grades may be increased from 0.5 to 1 on a scale of 10, depending on the specific case.

Delegates join candle lighting ceremony in commemoration of heroic martyrs in Dong Loc T- Junction historical site. Photo: SGGP

War Invalids and Martyrs Day: Significance

War Invalids and Martyrs Day reflects the Party and State's evaluation and people with families who have died for the Fatherland.

Thereby, to promote the spirit of patriotism, love of socialism, revolutionary spirit and belief in the revolutionary career that Uncle Ho and our Party have chosen and led. The day of war invalids and martyrs with the desire to increase awareness, responsibility and gratitude. Through it, it encourages and promotes the revolutionary tradition in the cause of national renewal.

The work of war invalids and martyrs and the policy for those who have made meritorious services to the revolution is to show the superiority and nature of our Party and State. Facilitate strengthening confidence in the people in the leadership of the Party as well as the management of the state.

Contributing to increase the revolutionary potential, consolidating the mass unity of the whole people and grassroots to maintain the socialist orientation, contributing to combating the tricks of hostile forces to divide the great unity block people, smear the heroic past of the nation.

When it comes to humanistic meaning, War Invalids and Martyrs Day enhances awareness, responsibility, gratitude, arousing national pride. Promoting the moral "Drinking water, remember the source" , thanking the nation's gratitude. Expressing the deeply humanistic tradition of the nation.

Promoting the spirit of "exemplary revolutionary family" to contribute to maintaining political stability and economic development.

War Invalids and Martyrs Day: Celebrations express deep gratitude

Nowadays, each year on this day, officials at every level of government take part in visiting, cleaning, and decorating graves and burning incense for veterans in cemeteries. During most of Vietnam’s wartime history, there were many soldiers who fell without any personal information known about them, so later monuments to unnamed martyrs were built in various locations to commemorate them.

Signed Decision with higher gift value: State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signed Decision No. 1142/QD-CTN on presenting gifts to those who rendered services to the nation on the occasion of the 74th War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

Accordingly, gifts are divided into two levels: 600,000 VND ($26) and 300,000 VND ($13). Under the decision, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, war invalids and veterans contaminated with chemical toxins and losing at least 81 percent of working capacity, and relatives of martyrs each will get 600,000 VND ($26).

There is also another kind of gifts with a value of 300,000 VND ($13) each, to be presented to war invalids and veterans losing 80 percent or less of their working capability, and martyrs’ relatives.

According to Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, this year’s gift value is 50 percent higher than that in the previous year. Total value of the gifts is about 480 billion VND (20.85 million USD).

State President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visits a nursing centre for wounded veterans and revolution contributors in Hà Nam Province. VNA/VNS Photo

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has extended his best regards, warmest sentiments and deepest gratitude to people who rendered services to the nation on the occasion of the 74th War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

In a letter sent to Heroic Vietnamese Martyrs, Heroes of People’s Armed Forces, Labour Heroes, wounded and sick soldiers, martyrs’ relatives and contributors to the revolution on Saturday, the State leader remembered their great sacrifice to the fatherland and paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh.

The President underlined that over the past 74 years, the Party and State have paid great attention to caring for war invalids and people who rendered services to the nation with many practical activities that have received support and engagement from the greater society.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of self-reliance, many war invalids and wounded veterans have overcome difficulties to rise in life, becoming outstanding examples for the community and society, he noted.

The President expressed the belief that war invalids, wounded veterans, martyrs’ relatives and contributors to the revolution will continue to work with the Party and people to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sacrifice be remembered: PM Pham Minh Chinh

PM Chinh expressed deep gratitude towards revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, wounded and sick veterans, relatives of martyrs and revolution contributors.

He said that although the war ended a long time ago, the pains it caused linger. Millions of people laid down their lives, leaving behind their youth, dreams and desires, and millions more left parts of their bodies in the battlefields, he said.

“Everywhere across the Vietnamese nation, their great sacrifice for the cause of national independence and reunification is always remembered,” PM Chinh stressed.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception on July 25 for a delegation of 50 contributors to the revolution and relatives of martyrs, who represent nearly 10 million people who rendered services to the revolution across the country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets revolution contributors and relatives of martyrs on July 24, 2021, on the occasion of the 74th War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). (Photo: VNA)

The contributors to the revolution highly valued the Party and State’s efforts to care for them, expressing their determination to continue serving as good examples in society.

The Government leader affirmed that taking care of the health as well as the living conditions of the contributors to the revolution is a special matter as well as an important and regular political task of the Party, State and the entire political system. Policies related to contributors to the revolution have been completed, while priority in resources has been given to the work, he said.

PM Chinh noted that last year, the National Assembly approved an ordinance on the completion of policies and support for them, as reported by Vietnamnews.

Currently, more than 9.2 million people who rendered services to the nation have benefited from the Government’s support policies, while thousands of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers are living with the care of the society. Their living conditions are ensured to be at least equal to those in their residential areas, he added.

Present gifts to revolutionary contributors: Minister Dao Ngoc Dung

On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27), on July 19, Minister of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Dao Ngoc Dung led a delegation to visit and give gifts to people with meritorious services to the revolution in Hanoi. Attending the delegation were Mr. Chu Xuan Dung - Vice President of Hanoi People's Commitee and the representatives from the sectors, agencies in Hanoi localiity and Leaders of Long Bien and Ba Dinh Districts.

This is an opportunity for people to express their gratitude for the contributions and sacrifices of wounded soldiers and martyrs in the resistance war to save the country, for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung and the delegation visited and presented gifts to the families of Mr. Nguyen Tuong Vinh in Ba Dinh district and Mr. Pham Dinh Thi in Long Bien district (81% invalids) and Ms Do Thi Hanh who is wife of martyr Nguyen Van Thuyet (in Long Bien district).

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung presented gifts to Nguyen Tuong Vinh invalid. Photo: MOLISA.

Photo: laodongxahoi.

At the event, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung kindly expressed his gratitude for the contributions and sacrifices of all National Devotees. He affirmed that the sacrifices and losses of war invalids and martyrs are extremely great for the country. At the same time, he wishes that the families continue to promote the revolutionary tradition, make efforts to overcome difficulties and become a shining example for the next generations.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung asked Hanoi City to organize activities to celebrate the 74th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day in a practical and effective manner, suitable to the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, especially to ensure 100% of people with meritorious services will be received fully attention and care.

Light candles: Ha Tinh’s youth

An incense offering and candle lighting ceremony to pay tribute to martyrs was held in Dong Loc T- Junction historical site in Ha Tinh Province's Can Loc District on July 23 marking the 74th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, SGGP News reported.

The event aims to pay tribute to martyrs, also celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the Dong Loc victory (July 24, 1968-2018) and commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the heroic sacrifices of ten young unmarried female volunteers at the Dong Loc T-junction during the war.

On behalf of the youth in the province, Secretary of Ha Tinh Provincial Youth Union Le Thanh Dong expressed his gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, heroes, fallen soldiers, Vietnamese heroic mothers, war invalids and their families credited with revolutionary service.

Delegates offer incenses and flowers to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. Photo: SGGP.

The candle lighting ceremony at graves of 10 female martyrs.. Photo: SGGP.

The Dong Loc T-junction in the central province of Ha Tinh has gone down in history with the heroic sacrifice of hundreds of war heroes. It played a vital role in transportation of necessary ammunition from north to south during the war. It is famous for the story of 10 female martyrs who sacrificed their lives to ensure transportation of important materials on the Ho Chi Minh Trail on July 24, 1968.

From 1965-1968, the US army dropped nearly 50,000 bombs and fired tens of thousands of missiles on the T-Junction in the hopes of cutting off the transport route to the southern front.

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