The burial ceremony for the remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldier Hà Văn Ôm on Wednesday in Sơn La Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

SƠN LA — The northwestern mountainous province of Sơn La on Wednesday held a memorial and burial service for Vietnamese voluntary soldier Hà Văn Ôm who laid down his life in Laos.

His remains were discovered by a repatriation team from Military Region 2.

During the last months of the dry season of 2023, the team found a burial place for 11 martyrs in Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi districts, Luang Prabang Province of Laos. Among them, there was martyr Hà Văn Ôm, born in 1944, from Mam village, Chiềng Sơ Commune, Sông Mã District of Sơn La, who joined the army in February 1964, and died on January 19, 1968.

Speaking at the ceremony, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Sơn La Province People's Committee Tráng Thị Xuân, head of the steering committee for searching and gathering martyrs' remains, emphasised that during the years of long and arduous wars, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers fought, sacrificed for independence and freedom of the Lao people.

The feats and sacrifices of the Vietnamese martyrs contributed to enriching the golden history of the two countries, and at the same time tightening and making the special solidarity and ties between Việt Nam and Laos.

Provincial officials and others attending the ceremony offered incense and flowers to express gratitude for the deceased. — VNS