Their families and comrades pay homage to the fallen soldiers of Gạc Ma Battle. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm

HÀ NỘI — Thirty-six years ago today, 64 soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy bravely sacrificed their lives in the depths of the sea to defend Việt Nam's sovereignty in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

On March 14, 1988, Vietnamese navy soldiers aboard the three vessels, HQ604, HQ605 and HQ505, and those garrisoned in Gạc Ma, Cô Lin and Len Đao Islands, stood firm to stop the intrusion of hostile foreign warships.

Failing to force the soldiers to give in to their threats, the warships opened fire on the three vessels, causing HQ604 to be engulfed in flames and sink, and proceeded to shell the garrison in Gạc Ma.

In the face of the sudden attack, the soldiers in Gạc Ma held hands tightly and gathered in a circle formation around the national flag to fiercely defend the island.

"Hold the line, my brothers! Let our blood dye the flag of our Motherland and our sacrifices be part of the glorious history of the Navy," shouted the heroic martyr Trần Văn Phương, Deputy Commander of Gạc Ma, when he organised the defence against the attack.

They fought bravely and fell in the battle, but their names and their "Immortal Circle" formation will be remembered forever as the embodiment of patriotism.

Hoàng Nhỏ, father of the fallen soldier Hoàng Văn Túy, never missed a day to pay homage to the 64 martyrs. After he passed away in 2023, his descendants kept up his tradition of offering feast to the martyrs on the anniversaries of their death.

Hoàng Thị Loàn, Nhỏ's daughter, sees the demise of his brother and the other 63 soldiers as a significant loss to her family and the country. Her family has always been proud of Túy's courage and will teach its descendants never to forget how bravely he fought in the battle.

Trần Thị Thủy, daughter of the fallen soldier Trần Văn Phương, has followed in her father's footsteps and become a naval soldier.

"My father's image is engraved in my memory."

"I've always dreamed of wearing the naval uniform to follow in my father's footsteps and continue my family's traditions," said Thủy.

She said her father sacrificed his life for the country when she was still in her mother's womb. She only knows about him through his stories, photos and letters.

Every time she visits where he fell, she feels both deeply moved and proud. The strong emotions make her burst into tears like a child.

Nguyễn Văn Tấn, Head of the Trường Sa Military Liaison Committee, was choked with emotions in the 35th anniversary of Gạc Ma Battle last year.

He said the sacrifices of the soldiers deeply grieved those who remained and will remind the next generations to stay vigilant to safeguard the integrity of the country’s sovereignty.

The documentary "Trường Sa, April 1988" was produced shortly after the Gạc Ma Battle. The graves of the fallen soldiers were laid on Sinh Tồn Island.

In 1989, the President of Việt Nam awarded the title "Heroes of the Armed Forces" to the HQ505's crew, along with Trần Đức Thông, Vũ Phi Trừ, Vũ Huy Lễ, Trần Văn Phương and Nguyễn Văn Lanh.

"We were in a circle to defend Gạc Ma; now we are in a circle of brothers to help each other," said veteran Lê Hữu Thảo. — VNS