HÀ NỘI — Every year on March 14, millions of Vietnamese solemnly turn their thoughts toward the sea to honour and remember the 64 soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Navy who fought and heroically sacrificed their lives in the waters of Gạc Ma, Len Đao and Cô Lin in the Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago while defending the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.

The “Immortal Circle” formed by the soldiers on Gạc Ma Island on March 14, 1988 has become a powerful symbol etched in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Their sacrifice continues the nation’s long epic of defending and building the country, strengthening the spirit of courage, resilience and vigilance for generations today and in the future, and reaffirming the determination to firmly safeguard the country’s seas and islands. VNS

Several crew members of ship HQ-605 receive treatment at Military Hospital 87 in Nha Trang after the battle to defend Việt Nam’s maritime sovereignty at Gạc Ma on March 14, 1988. VNA/VNS Archive Photos

The battle to defend national sovereignty at Gạc Ma awakened the hearts of the Vietnamese people to the sacred duty of protecting the country’s seas and islands. In the photo: Soldiers of Gun Crew 13, HI2, Company 3 on Sinh Tồn Island maintain vigilance and combat readiness (1984).

The battle to defend national sovereignty at Gạc Ma awakened the hearts of the Vietnamese people to the sacred duty of protecting the country’s seas and islands. In the photo: A soldier on Chim Island in the Trường Sa archipelago stands guard protecting the island.

Ship HQ-505, the only vessel that did not sink during the battle, became a living marker of Việt Nam’s sovereignty after its captain, Vũ Huy Lễ, decided to deliberately run the burning ship aground on Cô Lin Island after it was attacked by enemy vessels. As a result, Cô Lin Island has remained under Việt Nam’s control to this day. For this heroic feat, HQ-505 was awarded the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces by the State.

Ship HQ-604 departs from the mainland for Trường Sa on a mission just three days before the battle to defend sovereignty, during which it was sunk by enemy vessels at Gạc Ma on March 14, 1988.

The battle to defend national sovereignty at Gạc Ma awakened the hearts of the Vietnamese people to the sacred duty of protecting the country’s seas and islands. In the photo: Soldiers on Sinh Tồn Island stands guard protecting the island.