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Memorial, funeral and burial ceremonies for martyrs whose remains were recovered at Lê Thị Riêng Cultural Park were held on October 14. — VNS Photo Hồng Linh

HCM CITY — Leaders and residents gathered on October 14 for memorial, funeral and burial ceremonies for 731 martyrs whose remains were recovered at Lê Thị Riêng Cultural Park.

The ceremonies were attended by Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, former senior government leaders, central government and defence officials, representatives of Military Region 7, and leaders of HCM City and neighbouring localities. Armed forces personnel, Youth Union members, local residents and invited guests also attended.

The ceremony was attended by current and former senior Vietnamese leaders. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

Officials laid flowers and offered incense at the monument to former Party General Secretary Trần Phú before paying their respects at memorial tablets placed in front of the fallen soldiers’ remains.

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng offers incense. — VNA/VNS Photo

Nguyễn Mạnh Cường, deputy chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, delivered a eulogy.

“Today, we solemnly hold the memorial service, pay tribute to and lay to rest the remains of 731 martyrs, outstanding sons and daughters of the nation who devoted their youth and laid down their lives for the country, now returning to their motherland.

“From now on, they will rest in peace alongside their comrades-in-arms, embraced by the boundless love of the living.

“With profound respect and deepest gratitude, we pray that the souls of these martyrs, the immortal sons and daughters of the nation, may rest in peace for eternity.

“The Fatherland and the Vietnamese people will forever remember and honour the sacrifices of these fallen heroes.”

The remains of 731 martyrs have been recovered at Lê Thị Riêng Cultural Park. — VNS Photo Hồng

Officials, university students and residents then took turns offering incense and placing flowers on the coffins, with some moved to tears.

A local resident lays flowers on a martyr’s coffin. — VNS Photo Hồng Linh

Trần Hữu Chương, a retired soldier, looks at belongings recovered alongside the martyrs’ remains. “My comrades and I were lucky enough to return safely. If we don’t show gratitude to those who gave their lives for the country, we cannot instil that gratitude in future generations,” he said. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

From June 23 to October 5, the K74 Team and other forces recovered at Lê Thị Riêng Cultural Park the remains of 731 martyrs who lost their lives during the 1968 Tết Offensive and General Uprising. These comprised 698 individual sets of remains and a collective set containing the remains of 33 martyrs.

The remains were then transported to the HCM City Martyrs’ Cemetery in Long Bình Ward for burial.

Lê Thị Bông, a resident of HCM City, said she and her colleagues joined other residents in lining the streets to pay their respects as a convoy carrying the remains of 731 fallen soldiers passed by.

Lê Thị Bông, a resident of HCM City, said she and her colleagues joined other residents in lining the streets to pay their respects. VNS Photo

“Holding white chrysanthemums in the solemn atmosphere, we were overcome with emotion. These soldiers gave their youth and their lives for our nation’s independence and freedom.

“Although our country is now at peace and independent, many fallen heroes still lie in unmarked graves. The programme to recover and identify their remains, both in HCM City and across the country, is deeply meaningful and important.”

A convoy transports the martyrs’ remains to the HCM City Martyrs’ Cemetery. — Photo courtesy of the HCM City Military Command

Residents line the streets to pay their respects as the convoy passes. — VNS Photo Thu Ngân

Phùng Thị Thái, a visitor from Hà Nội, told Việt Nam News that she and her husband had arrived in HCM City the previous day and had been waiting since the morning to pay their respects.

“When the convoy carrying their remains passed by, I was so moved that I began to cry. The city has organised this event on a large scale and done a thorough job of informing the public, so people can come and pay their respects.”

Young members of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Nhiêu Lộc Ward wait for the convoy. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

A vendor gives residents free flowers. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

Đỗ Xuân Thắng, a veteran from HCM City, said: “The search, recovery and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains across the country, including in HCM City, reflects the Party and State’s deep care and respect for the departed. ... Today, we are able to see them off, and in the future, their identities may be established. We were deeply moved when the soldiers’ remains were recovered.”

The martyrs’ remains are brought to their final resting place at the HCM City Martyrs’ Cemetery. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

The “500 Days and Nights Campaign to Accelerate the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains” will continue, with searches expanding to more areas.

Residents gather at the HCM City Martyrs’ Cemetery. — Photo courtesy of the HCM City Military Command

The ceremonies were jointly organised by the Military Region 7 High Command and HCM City’s Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee. — VNS