NGHỆ AN — A revolutionary victory in the fight against the Americans was commemorated on Thursday at a ceremony at the Truông Bồn historical site in the central province of Nghệ An.

The 50th anniversary was marked by a cultural programme entitled Truông Bồn-Miền Đất Huyền Thoại (Truông Bồn-The Legendary Land).

The event, co-organised by Nhân Dân (People) newspaper, and Nghệ An Province’s People’s Committee, and broadcast live on Vietnam Television, Nhân Dân Television and Nghệ An Television, highlighted the sacrifice of soldiers and volunteers who made a great contribution to the nation’s victory against foreign invaders.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ and other Party and State officials attended the event, as well as former youth volunteers, historical witnesses and family members of war martyrs who fought on the battlefield in Truông Bồn.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Phúc said the celebration had highlighted the glorious history and honoured the service, sacrifices and dedication of war veterans.

He spoke highly of the achievements of the people and authorities of Nghệ An Province in the cause of socio-economic development as well as in preserving the historical revolutionary value by actively and effectively implementing Government policies to pay tribute to the heroes, invalids and martyrs, and supporting their families.

The event included a series of cultural and art performances about the nation’s resistance with songs and dances in commemoration of heroes and martyrs who sacrificed themselves for national salvation and unification, performed by artists from the Việt Nam Contemporary Arts Theatre and Nghệ An Province’s folk singing and dancing art troupes.

At the event, representatives from Nhân Dân newspaper handed over VNĐ20 million (US$869) to 13 martyrs’ families, war veterans and Youth Volunteer’s families; and presented gifts to the management board of the Truông Bồn Historical Site and the Study Promotion Funds of Nghệ An Province.

Nearly 3,000 bombs were dropped on the Truông Bồn Historical Site located in Mỹ Sơn Ward, Đô Lương District, between June and October, 1968, during the war. It was a dangerous time on the roads throughout Truông Bồn to send soldiers from the North to the South for reinforcement.

A group of 14 members of the Volunteer Youth Force was established to fill bomb craters alongside the roads and guide trucks across the danger zone. In the early morning of October 31, 1968, 13 youth volunteers were killed by a bomb while they were at work. — VNS