A memorial service was held at Lý Thái Tổ Flower Garden in Hà Nội, with the participation of 20 people, including children. Photo courtesy of the organiser.

HÀ NỘI — A prayer vigil was held in downtown Hà Nội on Sunday to pay tribute to the eight-year-old girl who was allegedly abused to death by her father’s fiancée in HCM City last month.

A group of 20 people, including children, drove cars around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and streets in the city centre, with banners and placards in memory of N.T.V.A., calling for justice to be served.

They also created a memorial for the girl using flowers and candles at Lý Thái Tổ Flower Garden.

Nguyễn Ngọc Hà Trang, one of the organisers, said: “We want to hold a memorial service for V.A. We chose blue colour and the cloud image after her name. We hope she will always be a beautiful angel. We also want to show support to V. A.'s family and call for the culprits to pay for their crimes.”

On December 22, the girl died after reportedly being beaten by Nguyễn Võ Quỳnh Trang, 26, her father’s fiancée who was living together with the father and daughter.

The case shocked the entire country with Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh asking agencies to handle the case thoroughly and UNICEF calling for a strengthened protection system for children in Việt Nam.

Trang was later arrested for murder while the girl's father, Nguyễn Trung Kim Thái, was detained and charged for "abusing others" and "concealing crimes".

According to the initial investigation, during the time they lived together at an apartment in Bình Thạnh District, HCM City, Trang had frequently beaten the girl with her hands and wooden sticks.

It is also alleged that Thái witnessed Trang beating and torturing his daughter many times and that he also cursed at and hit the girl. 

After his daughter died, Thái deleted his apartment's closed-circuit camera data to avoid detection.

The investigation is ongoing. — VNS