HCMCITY— The Việt Nam Youth Federation (VYF) in co-operation with its partners has launched a national campaign to mark the 70^th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27 in HCM City.  

The event, Theo Bước Chân Những Người Anh Hùng (Following in the Footsteps of National Heroes), began yesterday and features cultural and charity activities as well as celebrations at 70 historical sites around the country, including revolutionary sites in Tây Ninh, Quảng Nam, Hà Tĩnh and Thanh Hóa provinces.  

It is expected to attract more than 10,000 VYF members nationwide.

The campaign’s young participants will upgrade martyrs’ cemeteries and historical relic sites.

They will also offer free food, clothes and medicine, and build houses of gratitude for local people, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, wounded and sick soldiers, and members of martyrs’ families.

Young volunteer doctors from hospitals and universities will offer free treatment for over 1,000 children and women from families under preferential treatment policies.     

In HCM City, VYF members will visit Củ Chi District’s Bến Được Memorial Temple which honours 45,000 heroes and martyrs across the country who died in battle during the French and American wars.

Củ Chi, which has 11,000 former soldiers, is home to 200 Heroic Mothers and 3,000 veterans who are invalids. They are under local authorities’ and people’s care. 

HCM City Television (HTV) will broadcast dozens of TV shows and reports to highlight heroic mothers, and veterans and soldiers.

A series of cultural programmes featuring music, dance and drama by renowned artists such as Tạ Minh Tâm and Thanh Thúy will be broadcast every night.  

The performances in praise of the country, its history, traditional culture and lifestyle will also be included. 

Revolutionary songs, such as Tình Ca (Love Song) composed by Hoàng Việt and Hành Khúc Ngày Và Đêm (March Night and Day) by Phan Huỳnh Điểu, will be highlighted. 

The producers hope their shows will help young generations learn more about the country’s history and revolutionary tradition as well as improve their love and respect for many martyrs who died for the country’s independence.

“I was inspired by singing revolutionary tunes,” said 38-year-old pop singer Thúy, of the Seventh Military Zone Art Troupe, who was invited to perform in a live concert produced by HTV.

Thúy will perform with support of a dance group from the Bông Sen Traditional Music and Dance Theatre. Her performance is part of the show Ký Ức 27 Tháng 7 (Memories of July 27), which will air live on HTV7 channel on July 27.   

The campaign, Theo Bước Chân Những Người Anh Hùng, will close on July 26.  — VNS