Organizing online photographic exhibition in a 3D digital space under the theme “Quang Tri: Where Gratitude and Devotion Shine Forever”

Offering Incense in Commemoration of Patriotic Scholars and War Martyrs at the Lao Bao Prison Relic Site

Tran Anh Duc

Lao Bao Prison Relic Site is one of Quang Tri Province’s important revolutionary heritage sites, preserving the patriotic spirit and indomitable will of patriotic scholars and steadfast communist revolutionaries who were imprisoned and tortured by the French colonial authorities, many of whom heroically sacrificed their lives. Offering incense and paying tribute at the site not only reflects the Vietnamese tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations, but also helps educate younger generations about the revolutionary tradition and foster pride in and responsibility for their homeland and country. On May 28th and 29th, 2025, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of its first issue and to meet with contributors, Cua Viet Magazine (before the merger of provinces; currently known as Nhat Le Magazine) hosted a conference of literary and arts magazines from six North Central provinces under the theme “Honouring the Cultural Values of Central Vietnam - The Role of Literary and Arts Magazines in the Digital Era.” As part of the programme, Cua Viet Magazine organised a delegation of staff from literary and arts magazines in the North Central region to offer incense and pay tribute at Lao Bao Prison Relic Site. The visit provided an opportunity for delegates to respectfully remember patriotic scholars, steadfast communists and fallen heroes, while revisiting the heroic revolutionary tradition of Quang Tri.

Returning to the Motherland

Pham Van Thuc

Officials, soldiers, and Youth Volunteers solemnly escort the remains of martyrs to their final resting place at Ba Doc Martyrs' Cemetery, located along National Highway 1A in Ly Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province (before the provincial merger). Each homecoming is a sacred return, bringing these heroes back to the embrace of the Motherland after years of resting on former battlefields. Amid the fragrance of incense and the heartfelt gratitude of their comrades and today's generation, they are finally laid to rest in the embrace of their homeland. This solemn act reflects the enduring Vietnamese tradition of remembering our origins, reminding present and future generations to forever honour the immense sacrifices of those who devoted their youth and gave their lives for the independence and freedom of the nation.

My beloved son; A day of happiness

Ho Thanh Tho - Tran Thanh Tuyen

My beloved Son - Photo: Hồ Thanh ThọCradled in the arms of a Vietnamese Heroic Mother, the portrait of her fallen son seems to bring him home after so many years apart. At the Candlelight Ceremony in Tribute to the Martyrs at Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery on the evening of 26 July 2025, Former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented her with a restored portrait of her son, recreated using artificial intelligence (AI). As she held the portrait tightly to her heart, the moment became a reunion unlike any other - one possible only through memory, a mother's enduring love, and gratitude. Time may pass, but the image of those who devoted their youth and sacrificed for the Motherland lives on forever in the hearts of their mothers and in the enduring gratitude of generations today.A day of happiness - Photo: Trần Thanh Tuyền During a working visit to Quang Tri Province on the morning of July 26, 2025, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, Former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and presented gifts to Heroic Vietnamese Mother Dao Thi Vui, born in 1923, residing in Dai An Khe Village, Hai Lang Commune, Quang Tri Province. Her husband and only son were martyrs (her husband, Le Hoi, died in 1948, and her son, Le Thinh, died in 1969). Notably, Former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented Mother Dao Thi Vui with a portrait depicting her reunited with her only son, restored through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

Moved by the sight of Truong Son Cemetery

Dinh Nho Ly

Every July, national tribute sites across Quang Tri - including the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, the Highway 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery, and the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel - quietly welcome pilgrims paying homage to fallen heroes. On each grave, incense sticks are lit with utmost reverence, reminding us of young heroes who sacrificed their youth for the independence and freedom of the nation.

"The South in our hearts"; A thousand flowers offered to Uncle Ho

Thanh Ngoc - Nguyen Luong Sang

Sixty-nine years ago, when the country was separated, the former Quang Binh Province and Vinh Linh District of Quang Tri became the frontline of the socialist North and the immediate rear base supporting the great southern front. With deep affection and a wish to encourage the people of Quang Binh and Vinh Linh to overcome hardship, President Ho Chi Minh visited Quang Binh on June 16, 1957. He spent time meeting and speaking with representatives of ethnic communities, prominent citizens, intellectuals and religious dignitaries. His profound affection, guidance and teachings carried strategic and lasting significance, becoming a source of direction, determination and action for the Party organisation, armed forces and people of Quang Binh throughout the resistance war against the United States and the subsequent task of rebuilding the homeland. The monument “President Ho Chi Minh with the People of Quang Binh” embodies the deep affection and gratitude of the Party, armed forces, and people of Quang Binh to commemorate the major historical event of President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Quang Binh on June 16, 1957.

Night of Floating Lanterns on the Thach Han River

Ho Thanh Thoan

Releasing floating lanterns on the Thach Han River is a deeply sacred act of remembrance held regularly in Quang Tri on public holidays, anniversaries, and important local and national occasions. In a solemn and sacred atmosphere, thousands of flower lanterns are released onto the Thach Han River like offerings of incense from the heart, commemorating and honouring the fallen heroes who fought and died along this river, especially during the historic 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in the “fiery summer” of 1972. More than a memorial ritual, the lantern night conveys a profound message: today’s peace, independence and freedom were won at the cost of immense sacrifice by earlier generations. The activity helps preserve and spread the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations, educates people about the revolutionary heritage, and nurtures patriotism, national pride and a sense of responsibility for safeguarding peace.

A photo series by Tran Tuyen and Thanh Ngoc

Tran Tuyen - Thanh Ngoc

* Photos 1 and 2During his working visit to Quang Tri, on the afternoon of October 15, 2024, General Secretary and State President To Lam offered incense and flowers at the Le Duan Memorial House. Writing in the memorial book at the Le Duan Memorial Site, General Secretary and State President To Lam affirmed: “General Secretary Le Duan was an outstanding leader of our Party, an excellent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, and an eminent son of Quang Tri. His entire life and career were devoted to the cause of national liberation, socialist construction, and the development of Vietnam. His immense contributions brought honor to the Vietnamese Fatherland and will endure forever in the nation’s glorious and heroic history. We pledge to continue striving to carry forward the cause, aspirations, guidance, and leadership of Comrade Le Duan in building a unified, independent, free, and prosperous Vietnam.”* Photo 3: Spring Colors at Le Duan ParkLocated in Dong Ha Ward, Quang Tri Province, Le Duan Park is a cultural and commemorative space named after General Secretary Le Duan - an outstanding leader of the Party and the Vietnamese revolution, and an eminent son of Quang Tri. At the center of the park stands the Monument to General Secretary Le Duan, where flower-offering and commemorative activities are regularly held to honor his immense contributions to the struggle for national liberation, national reunification, and the building of the Fatherland.The monument and park bearing General Secretary Le Duan’s name were inaugurated on April 7, 2007, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Today, Le Duan Park is both a prominent landmark in the urban landscape of Dong Ha and a place of profound historical significance, helping educate younger generations about revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and pride in Quang Tri.* Photo 4: Le Duan Memorial SiteSituated on the banks of the Thach Han River in Hau Kien Village, Trieu Phong Commune, Quang Tri Province, the Le Duan Memorial Site is one of Quang Tri’s notable historical and cultural landmarks. Closely associated with Le Duan’s childhood, family, and early years, the site preserves numerous photographs, documents, and artifacts relating to the life and career of the steadfast communist revolutionary and leader who made exceptionally important contributions to the Vietnamese revolution.The memorial complex includes the memorial house, commemorative hall, and exhibition house. It is a place where local people and visitors come to offer incense, pay tribute, and learn about the life and career of General Secretary Le Duan. Construction began in 2002, and the site was recognized as a national historical relic in 2010. Following extensive conservation and restoration, the renovated complex was inaugurated in April 2025. It stands as a sacred landmark for revolutionary education, reminding present and future generations of an eminent son of the homeland who dedicated his entire life to the independence, unity, and development of the nation.

Glorious memories

Tran Thanh Tuyen

At the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Relic Site, there is an iconic photograph titled “A Fisherman and His Daughter-in-law from Trieu Phong Transporting Troops and Weapons to Reinforce the Citadel”, taken by war correspondent Doan Cong Tinh. It shows an elderly bare-chested boatman smiling broadly as he ferries soldiers across the river, beside a young woman holding a rifle firmly in her arms, with liberation soldiers behind them. The smiling boatman was Nguyen Con of Giang Hen Village, Trieu Giang Commune, former Trieu Phong District, captain of a logistics transport team serving the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel battlefield in 1972. The young woman carrying the rifle was Nguyen Thi Thu, his daughter-in-law. In this photograph, Mrs Thu and her husband look back at that historic image from the wartime years.

Commemorative Ceremony for Martyrs at the "Xom Do Iron Bridge" Historical Site

Thu Ba

The Xom Do Iron Bridge, also known as the “Railway Bridge,” was built by the French colonial authorities in the early decades of the twentieth century. Spanning the Hieu River, it linked Ward III with Dong Thanh Ward in the former city of Dong Ha. In early 1947, French forces occupied Dong Ha and established a dense network of posts to conduct searches and raids in surrounding areas. To disrupt these operations, residents of Cam Thanh Commune - later incorporated in part into Dong Thanh Ward - repeatedly damaged the bridge and overturned railway tracks, obstructing a key enemy transport route. On April 20, 1947, two Cam Thanh guerrillas, unarmed, ingeniously seized enemy weapons at the bridge in broad daylight. The feat created a strong impact and encouraged the local guerrilla movement. In April 1972, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of Regiment 36, Division 308 crossed the river and destroyed enemy defensive forces, helping create favourable conditions for the liberation of Dong Ha. The site was later recognised by the provincial People’s Committee as a provincial historical and cultural relic. The Xom Do Iron Bridge memorial stele and flower-release ceremony area cover approximately 1,500 square metres. Today, the site serves to educate cadres, Party members and the public about revolutionary traditions and to honour the immense contributions of fallen heroes, while also providing an architectural and landscape focal point along both banks of the Hieu River.

Veteran Ho Voi - An ordinary hero

Tran Thanh Tuyen

During the resistance war against America, Mr. Ho Voi, born in 1933, was a legendary transport soldier, carrying 160 kg of goods, weapons, and ammunition on his shoulders while weighing only about 50 kg. In peacetime, veteran Ho Voi is a shining example, leading the way in developing his family's economy, raising his children to be well-educated, striving to find the remains of fallen soldiers, and helping his villagers overcome poverty.

Bringing them home to the embrace of the Motherland

Tra Thiet

On May 22, 2024, a solemn memorial and reburial ceremony was held at the National Highway 9 Martyrs’ Cemetery in Quang Tri Province for the remains of 12 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who had fallen in Savannakhet Province, Laos, and whose remains were searched for and recovered during the 2023 - 2024 dry season. Attending the ceremony were representatives of Military Region 4, authorities of Savannakhet Province and Quang Tri Province, and representatives of local departments and agencies in Quang Tri. This was the 38th repatriation since 1994, once again affirming the deep affection and responsibility of the Party organizations, authorities, armed forces, and people of Quang Tri and Savannakhet toward the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of both nations, for the happiness of the peoples of the two countries, and in fulfillment of a noble international duty._________1. The remains of fallen soldiers are transferred from Laos to the National Highway 9 Martyrs Cemetery.2. Mr. Hoang Nam, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Quang Tri Special Task Committee, delivers the eulogy at the memorial service.3. A representative of Military Region 4 offers incense in tribute to the fallen heroes.4. Representatives of the Quang Tri provincial authorities, Military Region 4, Savannakhet Province, together with soldiers, officials, and local people, escort the remains of the fallen soldiers to their final resting place.5. The remains of the fallen soldiers are carefully and respectfully positioned in their final resting places.6. The remains of the fallen soldiers are laid to rest in the embrace of the Motherland.7. Fresh flowers are laid over the remains as an expression of profound gratitude and deep respect for the fallen soldiers.8. Quang Tri Province authorities and Savannakhet Province, together with soldiers, officials, and local people, observe a minute of silence in memory of the fallen heroes, now laid to rest in the embrace of the Motherland.

A night of gratitude

Tran Dac Lac

The annual incense and flower offering ceremony to commemorate fallen heroes and martyrs, organized by the Quang Tri Provincial Police on various holidays and anniversaries, is a meaningful activity that reflects the nation's moral principle of "remembering the source when drinking water", or "repaying gratitude," and the tradition of appreciation of the People's Public Security force. This is an opportunity for officers and soldiers to respectfully remember and express their profound gratitude to the fallen heroes and martyrs, who dedicated their youth, blood, and lives to the cause of national liberation, protecting the independence and freedom of our country, and ensuring the peaceful and happy lives of the people. Through these commemorative activities, revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and national pride continue to be nurtured and spread among every officer and soldier, especially the younger generation. This serves as a reminder to every officer and soldier of the Quang Tri Provincial Police to continue upholding the heroic traditions of previous generations, demonstrating strong political resolve, a sense of responsibility, and dedication to serving the people; constantly striving to improve and successfully fulfill their duties in ensuring national security, maintaining social order and safety, and contributing to the peaceful life and development of Quang Tri province.

Launching the 500-Day-and-Night campaign

Tran Thanh Tuyen

On April 2nd, at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in Quang Tri Ward, Quang Tri Province, the National Steering Committee for the Search, Collection and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains launched the “500-Day-and-Night Campaign to Accelerate the Search, Collection and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains.” At the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra presented gifts to Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, wounded veterans and policy-beneficiary families.

Flowers of the Thach Han River

Cao Van Tinh

Releasing flower lanterns on the Thach Han River is one of the most meaningful acts of remembrance in Quang Tri. Drifting with the current like offerings of incense from the heart, the lanterns convey reverence and profound gratitude to the fallen heroes who fought and sacrificed their lives at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and along the Thach Han River during the fierce years of war. For many years, alongside incense- and flower-offering ceremonies, lantern releases on the Thach Han River have been held regularly on the full-moon day of each lunar month and on major holidays and anniversaries of the locality and the nation. In the sacred atmosphere, the shimmering lanterns on the water not only commemorate those who gave their lives for Vietnam's independence and freedom, but also remind today’s generations to cherish the value of peace. The practice has become a beautiful spiritual and cultural tradition and a profound gesture of gratitude by the people of Quang Tri and visitors from across the country whenever they return to this sacred land by the Thach Han River.

Motivating the soldiers

Hieu Minh

On July 13th, a delegation from the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee, led by Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Party and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, visited and presented gifts to encourage the officers and soldiers of Team 584 (under the Political Department - Military Command of the province) tasked with searching and collecting martyrs' remains. Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, shared his understanding of the difficulties faced by the forces tasked with collecting the remains of fallen soldiers. On behalf of the provincial leadership, the Secretary acknowledged and commended the sense of responsibility and determination of the unit in searching for and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers over the past period. He affirmed that this is not only a noble political task but also a sacred duty, expressing the feelings and gratitude of today's generation towards the heroic martyrs who bravely sacrificed themselves for the independence and freedom of the country and for the happiness of the people.

"Gently caressing the shore for a thousand years" - "Vỗ yên bờ, mãi mãi ngàn năm"

Tran Duy Ngoan

The war is long over, and today the Thach Han River flows peacefully, its banks serene. But beneath its surface, the memories of the "fiery summer" in 1972 still linger, when countless liberation army soldiers crossed the river under a hail of bombs and bullets to fight and defend the Quang Tri Citadel during those historic 81 days and nights. Each ferry crossing today touches upon this sacred memory, evoking the lines of poetry by Le Ba Duong: "Ferry crossing the Thach Han River... row gently / My comrades lie beneath the quiet stream / Their youthful twenties turned into eternal waves / Gently caressing the shore for a thousand years!"

Bringing heroes home amidst the season of red flowers

Le Duc Thanh

On May 22 and 23, 2024, Quang Binh Province held ceremonies to receive, commemorate, and rebury the remains of 16 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who had fallen in Khammouane Province, Laos.The search for the martyrs’ graves was assigned to Team 589 of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command. During the mission, with the close attention, coordination and assistance of the authorities and people of Khammouane Province, Laos, the officers and personnel of Team 589 successfully located and recovered the remains of 16 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts for repatriation.From now on, they will rest in the embrace of Mother Vietnam, cared for by their comrades, the people and their families with boundless respect and gratitude.___________1. Receiving the remains of fallen soldiers at the Cha Lo border gate.2. They returned in the middle of the season when the flamboyant trees were in bloom.3. The people welcomed the convoy carrying the remains of fallen soldiers.4. Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong and the delegation from the National Steering Committee 515 paid their respects.5. Visit the place where the remains of the heroic martyrs are kept.6. Mr. Tran Thang - Chairman of the People's Committee, along with representatives from various departments and agencies of Quang Binh province, paid their respects.7. Bidding farewell as they are laid to rest in the embrace of the Motherland.

Comrades reunited at the “Blood and Flowers” citadel

Tran Duy Ngoan

The reunion of veterans of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel is a moving symbol of comradeship, as soldiers of the past recall the fierce memories of the 81-day-and-night battle in the summer of 1972 and remember the thousands of comrades who remained forever on this land. These reunions, filled with tears and pride, often take place every July at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. Veterans from across the country return to the former battlefield, light incense for their comrades and revisit memories of “smiles of victory” and the days spent under relentless bombardment.

Lighting candles of gratitude

Nguyen Luong Sang

Youth Union members in Quang Tri Province respectfully offer incense and light candles in remembrance of fallen heroes at Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery. In the solemn cemetery grounds, fragrant incense and warm candlelight are offered as expressions of profound gratitude from today’s younger generation to those who devoted their youth, blood, and entire lives to the independence and freedom of the country. For many years, alongside the Youth Union’s revolutionary action movements, young people in Quang Tri have actively responded to and spread programmes of gratitude through practical deeds: caring for and maintaining martyrs’ cemeteries; visiting and supporting Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; assisting policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious service; and organising candle-lighting and incense-offering ceremonies on public holidays and commemorative occasions. Every stick of incense and every candle lit is not only an act of remembrance and gratitude, but also a means of educating younger generations about revolutionary traditions, nurturing ideals, patriotism and responsibility. Through such meaningful activities, the tradition of paying gratitude towards previous generations continues to be preserved and passed on, encouraging today’s young people to live worthy of the sacrifices of earlier generations and to contribute to building a more prosperous, civilised and compassionate province.

The seats of honour

Le Phuoc Thanh

A row of honorary seats bearing backpacks, boonie hats and white chrysanthemums has become a distinctive and deeply moving image at many memorial and tribute programmes for fallen heroes at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. The chairs are solemnly left empty, as though reserving places for the soldiers who fought heroically, sacrificed their lives and never returned. The backpacks and boonie hats evoke the image of the soldiers of years past; the white chrysanthemums and candles symbolise reverence, remembrance and gratitude. The idea began in April 2012 during a screening of the film “The Scent of Burning Grass” at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, marking the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Quang Tri and the 40th anniversary of the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the Citadel. Organisers placed 40 empty chairs in the front row, each bearing a soldier’s keepsake. From that moment emerged a simple but profoundly moving form of remembrance. Over the years, rows of seats reserved for martyrs have continued to appear at major commemorative programmes in Quang Tri. Without any names being called, the empty chairs create the feeling that the fallen are still present among their comrades, their compatriots and today’s generations. They are not merely a way of remembering those who rest in Mother Earth, but also carry a profound message: the sacrifice of fallen heroes will never be forgotten. Within the sacred space of the Ancient Citadel, these seats have therefore become a symbol of memory and gratitude, reminding all who see them to cherish the independence, freedom and peaceful life purchased with the blood and sacrifice of generations before us.

A mother visits her fallen son

Le Thanh Thu

The image of a Vietnamese Heroic Mother, despite her advanced age and frail health, personally lighting incense in memory of children who sacrificed their lives for the nation evokes profound emotions about the quiet yet immense losses and sacrifices borne by mothers during the war years. In every stick of incense are longing, pride and gratitude for those who gave their youth and blood for the nation’s independence and freedom. The noble sacrifices of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, together with the contributions and blood of fallen heroes, remain shining symbols of revolutionary heroism, patriotism and devotion to the country. They also remind today’s generations to cherish peace, preserve and promote the tradition of paying gratitude towards previous generations, live responsibly, and continually train and contribute to be worthy of the sacrifices made by earlier generations.

A shared soft hat

Tran Van Yen

Veteran Le Ba Duong, author of the famous lines about the Thach Han River, quietly returns to a martyrs’ cemetery to visit comrades who never came home. He tenderly places the soft field hat of a soldier of years past upon a comrade’s grave, creating a simple yet deeply moving image of comradeship - a bond forged in war and still intact after decades of peace. Having fought on the Quang Tri battlefield himself, Le Ba Duong also wrote four lines that have become a poignant memorial to the soldiers in their twenties who remain forever beside the Thach Han River: "Ferry crossing the Thach Han River... row gently / My comrades lie beneath the quiet stream / Their youthful twenties turned into eternal waves / Gently caressing the shore for a thousand years!" Every July, together with martyrs’ relatives and people from across the country, veterans return to the martyrs’ cemeteries of Quang Tri and light incense for their comrades. For them, this is more than a visit; it is a return to the memories of a youth in which they lived and fought together and left friends behind on the battlefield. The image of a veteran beside a comrade’s grave has therefore become a moving symbol of steadfast comradeship, of the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations, and of gratitude to those who gave their youth and blood for the independence, freedom and territorial integrity of Vietnam.

A spring warm with gratitude

Ho Thanh Tho

On the occasion of the 2025 Lunar New Year, the Women's Association under the Youth Union of the Quang Tri Provincial Police Department's Staff Office visited Heroic Vietnamese Mother Tran Thi Lien in Trung Giang commune, Gio Linh district. In the warm atmosphere of the early spring days, the officers and soldiers cordially inquired about her health, offered encouragement, and expressed their deep gratitude for her immense contributions to the national liberation struggle. Representatives of the Women's Association and Youth Union presented Mother Lien with New Year gifts and sincere wishes, hoping she would always live happily and healthily, enjoying a peaceful spring surrounded by the love of her family and society. The Women's Association of the Staff Department of the Quang Tri Provincial Police has been caring for and supporting Heroic Vietnamese Mother Tran Thi Lien since 2016. Every year, the Association organizes visits and offers encouragement to Mother Lien on special occasions such as International Women's Day (March 8th), Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20th), War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27th), Lunar New Year, and during times of illness. These visits are not only an expression of gratitude but also demonstrate the dedicated care and concern of the police force for mothers who have sacrificed and contributed to the country. Through practical activities, the Quang Tri Provincial Police force not only brings joy and sharing to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers but also spreads the humanitarian spirit and responsibility of the younger generation in paying tribute to those who sacrificed for the nation. These meaningful actions will continue to be maintained, contributing to further beautifying the fine moral traditions of the nation.

Charitable work; Assisting relatives in visiting graves

Thu Ba; Nguyen Van Hai

The two photographs are moving glimpses of Vietnam’s traditions of expressing gratitude to previous generations and repaying gratitude, showing the care, compassion and responsibility of communities, organisations and forces toward people with meritorious service, martyrs’ relatives and families still bearing the consequences of war. The photograph “Charitable work” by Thu Ba records visits and support for policy beneficiary families, disadvantaged households and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in Cam Lo. Although the war has ended, loss and its consequences remain present in many families, sometimes across generations. Modest gifts, care and companionship carry profound human warmth, expressing the community’s responsibility toward those who continue to endure pain and loss caused by war, while also sustaining the tradition of remembering those whose efforts made today’s fruits possible and the national spirit of mutual support. The photograph “ Assisting relatives in visiting graves” by Nguyen Van Hai captures a soldier gently supporting a Vietnamese Heroic Mother as she approaches a martyr’s grave. The young soldier beside the elderly Mother evokes continuity between generations - between those who fought and sacrificed and those who carry their legacy forward today. Supporting her step by step not only eases her physical burden but also expresses the respect, gratitude and responsibility of the present generation toward the immeasurable sacrifices and losses of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers. The image recalls To Huu’s verse, “The fathers went before, the sons follow after / United as Comrades, marching to the same song...,” as a reminder of continuity, comradeship and the responsibility to safeguard and nurture the values of peace and independence purchased with the blood of earlier generations.

Incense offered from the South

Nguyen Luong Sang

Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery is the resting place of more than 10,000 fallen heroes who fought and died along the Truong Son route in the cause of national liberation and reunification. Every year, large numbers of martyrs’ relatives, veterans, citizens and young people from across the country come here to offer incense, remember, pay tribute and visit the graves of the fallen. Each pilgrimage to Truong Son is not only a return to comrades and loved ones, but also a journey back to memory and the roots of gratitude. Before the Monument to the country’s Fallen and beside the rows of graves, sticks of incense are reverently offered; moments of silence and tears of emotion speak for the gratitude felt toward those who gave their youth and lives for the country’s independence and freedom. Across generations, Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery remains a sacred revolutionary heritage site linking past and present, reminding every visitor to cherish peace and continue the nation’s tradition of paying gratitude towards previous generations.

Mother’s Tears

Cao Van Tinh

Journeys to visit the graves of loved ones at martyrs’ cemeteries are always deeply emotional. The image of a mother standing quietly beside a martyr’s grave is simple, yet it holds the depth of memory, maternal love and the sacrifices left behind by war. Even after many years, grief and longing remain in the incense, offerings and quiet moments beside the grave. A mother’s tears are not only for the child she lost; they also remind today’s generations of the value of peace, independence and reunion. In this way, the traditions of paying gratitude towards previous generations continue to be preserved and spread through remembrance, compassion and responsibility toward martyrs’ families and people with meritorious service to the revolution.

Inauguration of the memorial stele of the Vietnam-Cuba friendship road section

Tran Thanh Tuyen

The memorial stele for the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Road is located in Xa Lang Hamlet, Dakrong Commune, about three kilometres south of the Dakrong suspension bridge. Construction began on July 7, 2020, comprising a paved precinct and a 2.6-metre-high monolithic stone stele. The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Road was built by Engineer Regiment 515 in late 1974 and early 1975 using modern road-building equipment provided by Cuba to Vietnam following Cuban President Fidel Castro’s visit to the Quang Tri battlefield in 1973. The road left an important mark on the course of the Vietnamese revolution, facilitating the movement of troops, equipment and weapons to the South and contributing to victory in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the liberation of the South and national reunification.

Huong Hoa Youth upholding the tradition of gratitude

Pham Van Thuc

Caring for, cleaning and maintaining martyrs’ cemeteries is one of the meaningful annual activities undertaken by young people, particularly on holidays, anniversaries and War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day on July 27. Youth union members sweep the grounds, collect litter, clear weeds, clean the precinct and tend individual graves, helping keep the cemeteries solemn, clean and dignified. Beyond preserving the landscape, every small task expresses the younger generation’s reverence and gratitude to the fallen heroes who devoted and sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the country. Through these practical activities, the traditions of paying gratitude towards previous generations are preserved and spread, while revolutionary heritage, patriotism, national pride and a sense of responsibility are nurtured among young people in the work of building and defending their homeland and country.

Memorial to the fallen youth volunteers at Long Dai ferry

Hoang An

The Truong Son Martyrs Memorial Temple - Long Dai Ferry was begun on July 26, 2011 and inaugurated on July 20, 2013. The project was built under the “Truong Son Gratitude” programme initiated by Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper; the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee assigned the Quang Binh Provincial Youth Union as the project owner, with most funding sponsored by Vietcombank. The main temple complex covers more than 1,600 square metres and includes the memorial temple, a bell tower, the Bao An gratitude tower and auxiliary facilities. Located on a hill beside the Long Dai River, the memorial was built to commemorate and honour fallen heroes, youth volunteers and other forces who fought, supported combat operations and sacrificed their lives along the Truong Son route and at Long Dai Ferry during the war. The ferry was once an especially important transport link on strategic Route 15, now the eastern branch of the Ho Chi Minh Road, and was one of the areas subjected to the fiercest bombardment between 1965 and 1972. Today, the Truong Son Martyrs Memorial Temple - Long Dai Ferry is not only a place of worship and remembrance but also an important revolutionary heritage site along the Truong Son-Ho Chi Minh Road. It regularly welcomes martyrs’ relatives, veterans, former youth volunteers, organisations, younger generations and people from across the country who come to offer incense and pay tribute. Each return is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for independence, freedom and national reunification, while educating visitors about revolutionary traditions, nurturing the ethics of remembrance and gratitude, and reminding today’s generations to cherish peace.

A night aglow with gratitude

Ho Thanh Thoan

Every July, as War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day on July 27 approaches, youth union members across Quang Tri Province, alongside activities to care for, clean and maintain martyrs’ cemeteries, hold incense- and candle-lighting ceremonies in memory of fallen heroes. Fragrant incense and warm candles are reverently offered as expressions of the younger generation’s profound gratitude to those who gave their youth, blood and entire lives for the independence and freedom of Vietnam. In the solemn setting, each candle lit beside a martyr’s grave is not only an act of remembrance but also a symbol of continuity between generations. These activities, sustained by Quang Tri’s youth for many years, have helped spread the traditions of remembrance and gratitude while educating young people and children about revolutionary heritage, patriotism and responsibility toward their homeland and country. Through these simple but meaningful acts, today’s younger generation comes to value peace more deeply and to understand more fully the sacrifices of earlier generations, inspiring them to continue learning, contributing and living responsibly so as to be worthy of those who fell for the country.

Writing reflections at the memorial house of General Vo Nguyen Giap

Ho Thanh Thoan

The moment a teacher and her students write their reflections at the Memorial House of General Vo Nguyen Giap in An Xa Village, Le Thuy Commune, Quang Tri Province is a beautiful image of the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations. In the cozy home where General Vo Nguyen Giap spent his childhood, every message left by visitors reflects not only their profound respect for Vietnam's greatest military leader, but also serves as a living lesson in history, patriotism, and the responsibility of today's generation toward their homeland. The Memorial House of General Vo Nguyen Giap has long been a meaningful cultural and historical destination, regularly welcoming citizens, cadres, soldiers, pupils, students and domestic and international visitors who come to offer incense, visit and learn about the General’s life and career. On national holidays, Tet and major anniversaries, even more people return to pay tribute to the outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and the first Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Army. After offering incense, visitors often spend time viewing photographs, documents and memorabilia preserved at the memorial house and listening to intimate stories about the General’s homeland, family, childhood and early years. Through these stories, the image of a brilliant commander who was also close to the people, modest and wholly devoted to the nation becomes more vivid in every visitor’s mind. For younger generations, each journey back to the roots at the Memorial House of General Vo Nguyen Giap is more than a sightseeing visit. It offers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of national history and of the determination, resilience, patriotism, and spirit of service demonstrated by earlier generations. The reflections left after each visit thus become part of an enduring legacy of memory, gratitude, and pride in General Vo Nguyen Giap, a distinguished figure in the history of his homeland and the Vietnamese nation.

Quang Tri Ancient Citadel

Nguyen Luong Sang

The Quang Tri Ancient Citadel is one of Vietnam’s especially important historical sites, associated with heroic and tragic chapters in the struggle for national liberation and reunification. Its deepest historical imprint and sacred significance lie in the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the Citadel and Quang Tri Town. During that “fiery summer” of 1972, the Citadel and surrounding area became one of the fiercest battlefields, where liberation army units and local armed forces held their ground under relentless bombardment to defend every inch of land. Thousands of officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives; many remain forever in the soil of the Citadel and beneath the Thach Han River. Their sacrifice created an enduring symbol of patriotism, resilience, courage and the Vietnamese people’s aspiration for independence and reunification. The war has receded into the past. Seen from above, the Citadel today is covered in peaceful green within the urban landscape, surrounded by moats and rows of trees. Yet beneath every patch of earth lies the memory of soldiers who fell here. For this reason, the Citadel is often described as “a cemetery without gravestones,” a special memorial space for sons of the country who left their youth on the battlefield. The central memorial monument, greenery, surviving traces of the old citadel and the nearby Thach Han River together form a solemn and contemplative memorial complex. In 2013, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and memorial sites associated with the 81-day-and-night battle of 1972 were recognised as a Special National Relic. The site’s value lies not only in its architectural remains and wartime history, but also in remembrance, gratitude and education. It is an important revolutionary heritage destination where martyrs’ relatives, veterans, citizens, visitors and younger generations from across the country come to offer incense, remember the fallen and learn about an extraordinary period in national history. From a battlefield once devastated by war, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel has been reborn in the green colour of peace. This contrast gives the site its profound meaning: remembering war so that peace is cherished more deeply, and remembering those who fell so that today’s generations live more responsibly toward the independence and freedom of the country. The Citadel is therefore not only a witness to the tragic and heroic 81 days and nights, but also a symbol of gratitude, renewal and the aspiration for peace of Quang Tri and the Vietnamese nation.

The Bonds of Comradeship

Le Duc Thanh

The sight of veterans and war invalids returning to the Special National Relic of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel is always deeply moving. On the land where the fierce 81-day-and-night battle of 1972 took place, the soldiers of years past meet again, recalling a youth in which they lived, fought, and saw many comrades remain forever behind. The war is over, yet its traces remain on the bodies of many veterans. Some lost an arm; others live with lifelong injuries that continue to affect movement and daily life. Yet when they meet their comrades, their faces still carry warm smiles, affectionate handshakes and the optimism of soldiers who survived war. Their physical losses did not diminish their spirit; instead, they reveal even more clearly their resilience, determination to rise above disability and the character of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in everyday life. Each return to the Citadel is also a return to comrades and to memories that can never be forgotten. Together they offer incense to the fallen, ask after one another’s health, share family stories and encourage each other to continue living positively and usefully. For those who once faced life and death together, comradeship remains intact more than half a century later. The moment a wounded veteran gently helps a comrade “adjust his arm” therefore tells not only of the consequences of war, but of something greater: sacrifice may leave lifelong wounds, but it cannot take away a soldier’s resilience, comradeship or faith in life. The image also reminds today’s generations to cherish peace, remain grateful to those who gave part of their bodies and blood for the country’s independence and freedom, and continue to care for war invalids, sick veterans and people with meritorious service to the revolution.

Singing for My Comrades

Tran Van Yen

On pilgrimages back to Quang Tri, many veterans still carry keepsakes from their battlefield years and return to places where they once fought and where comrades sacrificed their lives. For them, each return is not merely a visit to an old battlefield; it is a journey back to memory, to comrades and to a youth left behind on the land of Quang Tri. Beneath the Ho Khe forest, where soldiers once left their footprints, comrades separated for many years gather again. Amid today’s green forest, they warmly greet one another, recount old stories and sing songs about soldiers, homeland and country. The song “Singing for My Comrades” echoes through the forest as if linking past and present, carrying veterans now in the later years of life back to their twenties - years full of hardship, but also of faith and comradeship. The singing in Ho Khe forest is therefore more than the joy of reunion. It is a call to comrades, a tribute to those who remained behind, and a way for veterans to preserve the memory of a generation that devoted its youth to the country. More than half a century later, comradeship remains intact; battlefield memories continue to be told through stories, keepsakes and songs, reminding today’s generations of earlier sacrifices and of the value of peace and independence.

Immortal Glory

Trinh Hoang Tan

In the solemn atmosphere of a martyrs’ cemetery, shafts of sunlight pass through the canopy and mingle with incense smoke, forming striking bands of light among the rows of graves. It is a beautiful moment in nature captured by the photographer, adding depth and sacredness to the memorial space. The light seems to illuminate the graves amid the green foliage, evoking the “immortal radiance” of those who devoted their youth and lives to the independence and freedom of the country. Without implying mysticism or supernatural meaning, the sunbeams can be understood as an artistic symbol of the endurance of memory, gratitude and continuity between generations. The war has passed, and the soldiers of old now rest in peace, but their names, sacrifices and ideals continue to be honoured and remembered by today’s generations. In the tranquil cemetery, sunlight filtering through the trees seems to remind us that sacrifice for the country will always be remembered, inspiring each person to cherish peace and continue preserving and spreading the nation’s tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations.

The river of "Flame flowers"

Tran Van Yen

The Thach Han River flows through Quang Tri as a witness to history, closely associated with the fierce years of war and especially with the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel during the “fiery summer” of 1972. Across this river, countless officers and soldiers braved storms of bombs and shells to enter the Citadel and fight; many sacrificed their lives and remain forever in the river, giving their youth at twenty to the country. The war has receded, and today the Thach Han has returned to a gentle, peaceful flow between green banks. Yet memories of those who fell are still preserved and honoured by successive generations. On full-moon days, holidays, anniversaries and tribute programmes, residents, martyrs’ relatives, veterans and visitors return to the river and reverently release flower lanterns upon the water. Each lantern drifting with the current is like incense from the heart, carrying remembrance and profound gratitude to those who gave their youth and blood for the independence and freedom of the country. From a river that once ran through war, the Thach Han has become a river of memory, gratitude, and the aspiration for peace. The shimmering lantern light on the water not only commemorates the departed, but also reminds today’s generations to cherish peace, continue the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations, and preserve the sacred memories of Quang Tri.

Hero Le Duy Ung paints a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh; “Disabled but never defeated”

Pham Van Thuc - Tran Tuyen

1. Hero Le Duy Ung paints a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh - Photo: Phạm Văn Thức Colonel Le Duy Ung is a Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, painter, sculptor, and a class 1/4 severely wounded veteran. During the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, at a life-or-death moment, the artist used blood from his wounded eyes to draw a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. Today, his eyesight allows him to distinguish only light from darkness, yet he continues to work passionately every day at his home. Le Duy Ung was born and raised in Co Hien Hamlet, Hien Ninh Commune, Quang Ninh District, former Quang Binh Province. Colonel Le Duy Ung has created thousands of paintings and hundreds of sculptures, held nearly 50 solo exhibitions and received numerous prestigious fine-art awards in Vietnam and abroad. For his outstanding achievements in the resistance war against the United States, he was awarded the First-, Second- and Third-Class Feat of Arms Orders, the Third-Class Anti-US Resistance War Order, the Third-Class Liberation Soldier Order and other honours. On October 30, 2013, he was honoured by the President of Vietnam with the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces. 2. “Disabled but never defeated” - Photo: Trần Tuyền After years of fighting to defend the country and performing international duty, Le Xuan Phi was demobilised with an 85 percent disability rating. Returning to civilian life after losing both legs, he earned widespread admiration through resilience and determination: working hard to develop his family economy, raising his children well, living with deep loyalty and always thinking of his comrades and those around him. War invalid Le Xuan Phi, classified 1/4, currently lives in Dien Sanh Commune, Quang Tri Province.

Memorial Ceremony at the Monument to the People’s Armed Public Security Soldiers Who Defended the Demarcation Line; Memorial Ceremony for Naval Soldiers Who Fell on the Cua Viet Battlefield

Ho Thanh Thoan

1. The memorial ceremony is held before the monument honouring the major contributions and sacrifices of the former People’s Armed Public Security forces - today’s Border Guard - together with local people and soldiers who fought and died defending the demarcation line and the Hien Luong-Ben Hai flagpole during the resistance war against the United States. To commemorate their service, the Border Guard Command invested in the construction of the monument “People’s Armed Public Security Soldiers Defending the Demarcation Line” within the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Banks Special National Relic Site. 2. The memorial ceremony for naval soldiers who sacrificed their lives at Cua Viet, Quang Tri, is held at the Cua Viet Victory Monument in Trieu An Commune, former Trieu Phong District, Quang Tri Province. This was a fiercely contested battlefield during the war, and the ceremony is solemnly organised by local authorities and units of the Vietnam People’s Navy each year on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, July 27.

Kindling the Flame of Remembrance

Nguyen Van Hai

As July arrives, like a promise from the heart, the whole nation turns its attention to the fiery land of Quang Tri. They seek out the towering, solemn monument and the lush vegetation of the Truong Son mountain range. Here, death has become immortal, and the images of the heroes live on in the hearts of the people, so that future generations may live in freedom and peace. The Truong Son National Cemetery, the Highway 9 Martyrs' Cemetery... are once again bustling with expressions of gratitude these days. ____________ Photo 1: The memories and longing remain. Photo 2: Soldiers clean and care for the cemetery grounds. Photo 3: Youth Union activities. Photo 4: Architectural details at the National Highway 9 Martyrs’ Cemetery. Photo 5: Visitors offer incense in tribute. Photo 6: Panoramic view of the National Highway 9 Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Shimmering Thach Han

Hoang An

Releasing flower lanterns on the Thach Han River is a beautiful and meaningful tradition of remembrance in Quang Tri. In the solemn night, thousands of lanterns are lit and gently released onto the current, creating a scene both luminous and contemplative. Each light is like incense from the heart, carrying reverence and gratitude to the fallen heroes who fought and died on the Thach Han River and during the 81 days and nights of defending the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in the “fiery summer” of 1972. Over many years, lantern-release ceremonies have been held on holidays, anniversaries and commemorative programmes, attracting martyrs’ relatives, veterans, residents and visitors. The lanterns drifting one after another across the water seem to connect wartime memory with today’s peaceful life, recalling a generation that gave its youth and blood for the independence and freedom of the country. From a river that once witnessed immense loss, the Thach Han has become a river of memory, gratitude and the aspiration for peace. The lantern light upon the water not only commemorates the departed, but also spreads the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations and teaches today’s generations to cherish peace, independence and national reunification.

Escorting Martyrs' Remains to Highway 9 National Cemetery for Reburial

Tra Thiet

Every year, following searches, exhumations and recovery missions in Laos, the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives there are brought home by recovery teams for solemn memorial and reburial ceremonies at Highway 9 National Martyrs’ Cemetery in Quang Tri Province. The moment the martyrs’ remains, draped in the national flag, are respectfully carried to their final resting place is deeply moving, marking a return to Mother Earth after decades spent in a neighbouring land. Behind each homecoming lies the persistent work of officers and soldiers tasked with searching for and collecting martyrs’ remains. Drawing on information and traces left after the war, these teams cross difficult terrain and work closely with local authorities and communities in Laos to locate and bring the fallen back to the country. Each set of remains found and repatriated not only fulfils the hopes of relatives and comrades, but also demonstrates responsibility and the ethics of remembrance and gratitude toward those who sacrificed their lives in the noble performance of international duty. The sacrifice of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos forms part of the history of solidarity, close bonds and shared struggle between the peoples of Vietnam and Laos. Bringing the fallen home and holding solemn memorial and burial ceremonies at Highway 9 National Martyrs’ Cemetery is both a profound act of gratitude and a contribution to preserving and strengthening the special, faithful friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, while educating today’s generations about the value of peace, independence and international solidarity.

A Soldier’s Memories

Tran Dac Lac

The image of a veteran standing quietly beside a martyr’s grave is a moving expression of comradeship preserved through the years. The war has long ended, and the soldier’s hair has turned grey, yet memories remain vivid of comrades who once fought beside him, shared hardship and, for some, never returned. Each visit to the cemetery, each stick of incense lit and each gentle hand placed on a gravestone becomes a greeting to an old comrade. For many veterans, the journey of gratitude goes beyond cemetery visits. With the affection and responsibility of those who lived through war, they actively provide, search for and connect information about martyrs, battlefields and units; they also assist families in locating graves and contribute to the verification, search and recovery of comrades whose remains are still on former battlefields. It is a persistent journey rooted in promises and in the bond of those who once “lived together and fought side by side.” The moment of a veteran beside a comrade’s grave therefore recalls not only the losses of war, but also the beauty of soldiers’ enduring bonds. Even after many decades, the living continue to remember the fallen, preserve their memories and tell their comrades’ stories to future generations.

Imbued with the colors of the Homeland

Le Phuoc Thanh

The funeral of 22 officers and soldiers of Defence-Economic Unit 337, Military Region 4, who died during the historic floods of October 2020 in Quang Tri, was an event that brought profound grief to comrades, compatriots and people throughout the country. Before the tragedy, personnel of the unit had spent days working in heavy rain, directly participating in rescue operations and helping communities in Huong Hoa overcome the effects of natural disaster. In the early hours of October 18, 2020, a severe landslide struck the unit’s base in Huong Phung Commune, killing 22 officers and soldiers. They were recognised as martyrs for sacrificing their lives while carrying out disaster prevention and recovery duties. At the solemn memorial ceremony held in Dong Ha City on October 22, 2020, the line of coffins draped in the national flag became an especially moving image. It was not only a farewell to soldiers who had fallen, but also an expression of gratitude for the responsibility, courage, and dedication of soldiers serving the people in peacetime. The sacrifice of the 22 members of Unit 337 once again illuminated the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers”: wherever people face hardship and danger, soldiers are ready to be present, regardless of hardship or risk, to protect lives and property. They did not fall on a battlefield of bombs and bullets, but in another struggle of peacetime - the fight against natural disaster and for the safety of communities. The image of 22 coffins covered in the national colours therefore evokes not only sorrow, but also sacrifice, responsibility and the profound bond between the army and the people. Their passing reminds today’s generations to honour the quiet contributions of soldiers and to uphold solidarity, mutual support and the spirit of wholehearted service to the people.

A mother’s happiness

Ho Thanh Tho

First launched in 2018 by the Trieu Phong District Youth Union, the “Year-End Family Meal” held during the Lunar New Year and the “Family Meal” held on July 27 were expanded in 2020, with socialised funding, into annual province-wide programmes organised by the Quang Tri Provincial Youth Union. These warm meals express the younger generation’s sincere affection and profound gratitude toward Vietnamese Heroic Mothers who made immense contributions and sacrifices in the struggle for national liberation. Held throughout the province, the programme has grown in reach and become a practical and meaningful expression of gratitude. It is also an opportunity to educate young people about patriotism and foster revolutionary ideals and ethics, while expressing appreciation to fallen heroes, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and earlier generations who gave their blood and lives for the independence, freedom and reunification of the country. The work “A mother’s happiness” captures the moment when Tran Thi Thu, Secretary of the Quang Tri Provincial Youth Union, warmly visits, encourages and wishes Vietnamese Heroic Mother Ta Thi Phun good health and happiness with her family and community. The intimate and heartfelt image vividly reflects the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations and the gratitude of Quang Tri’s younger generation toward Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

A moment of peacefulness; When the war had passed

Tran Đac Lac - Nguyen Luong Sang

At Highway 9 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, the resting place of thousands of fallen heroes who gave their youth and blood for national independence and reunification, the image of a dove on the monument carries special meaning. Rising from a space that preserves memories of war and sacrifice, the bird evokes the aspiration for peace - something for which generations fought and paid with their lives. The dove motif also appears at many war-related memorial sites and monuments across Quang Tri. Amid traces of bombs, destruction and loss, the bird of peace creates a meaningful contrast: from war toward peace, from suffering toward renewal, and from the sacrifices of the past toward the peaceful life of the present. The dove is therefore more than a sculptural detail. It is a quiet message to every visitor returning to Quang Tri’s revolutionary heritage sites: always remember the sacrifices of fallen heroes, cherish independence and freedom, and safeguard the peace purchased by earlier generations with their blood.

The epic of the Gianh river

Le Duc Thanh

Located beside National Highway 1 on the northern bank of the Gianh River in Bac Gianh Ward, Quang Tri Province, the Gianh Ferry Special National Relic marks the first victory of the Vietnam People’s Navy. Restored and inaugurated on April 19, 2026, the site has become a memorial honouring sons and daughters from across the country who heroically sacrificed their lives for independence, freedom and the enduring strength of the Vietnamese nation in this once fiercely bombarded area along the Gianh River.

Quang Tri: A Symbol of Revolutionary Heroism

Hoang An

Quang Tri is a land deeply marked by the fierce years of war, where every river, bridge, ancient citadel, cemetery and stretch of land bears the sweat and blood of generations who fought for national independence, freedom and reunification. From the two banks of Hien Luong–Ben Hai, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the Thach Han River to the legendary forests of the Truong Son Range, countless soldiers fought and sacrificed their lives, writing heroic pages in the nation’s history. Today, on land that was once a fierce battlefield, new infrastructure and increasingly modern urban areas are rising. Quang Tri is not only a land of remembrance and gratitude, but also a shining symbol of resilience, the aspiration for peace, vitality, and the determination of the Vietnamese people to move forward. ______________ Photo captions 1. Hien Luong–Ben Hai, a symbol of the aspiration for peace and national reunification. This National Historical Relic has become a source of pride for the Vietnamese people. 2. “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” remain shining examples for younger generations to follow. Veterans of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel reunite by the Thach Han River more than 50 years after liberation. 3. Present and future generations will forever remember and honor the more than ten thousand heroic martyrs resting at the Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery. 4. Following the example of the heroic martyrs’ self-sacrifice for the Fatherland, hundreds of people come to the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel every day to pay tribute. 5. The Thach Han River is a symbol of revolutionary heroism. On holidays and major commemorative occasions, tens of thousands of people from across the country come here to light candles in tribute to the heroic martyrs who fell for national independence. 6. Carrying out President Ho Chi Minh’s testament - “The American invaders defeated, we will rebuild our land ten times more beautiful…” - Dong Ha is being transformed day by day.

Paying Tribute to Fallen Heroes at Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery

Le Duc Thanh

The annual candle-lighting ceremony at Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery is a sacred commemorative activity held on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, July 27. Tens of thousands of candles are lit across more than 10,263 graves to honour those who gave their lives for independence and freedom. Held every year, the ceremony is profoundly meaningful. It not only embodies the nation’s moral tradition of gratitude, but also helps educate younger generations about revolutionary heritage, fostering pride and a sense of responsibility in the cause of building and defending the country.

Honoring the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel - Brushstrokes of gratitude

Cao Van Tinh - Trinh Hoang Tan

The two photographs record acts of remembrance at two of Quang Tri’s prominent revolutionary heritage sites - the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the Vinh Moc Tunnels - places that preserve deep memories of a harsh and fierce war, as well as the courage and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people and armed forces. Honoring the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel - Photo: Cao Van Tinh Every July, large numbers of veterans, martyrs’ relatives, youth union members and citizens from across the country return to the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, associated with the 81 days and nights of fighting to defend the Citadel and Quang Tri Town in 1972, to offer incense, light candles and commemorate the fallen. In the sacred space of the Citadel, candles glow on stone steps and around the memorial monument like offerings of incense from the heart, expressing profound gratitude to those who gave their youth and blood for national independence, freedom and reunification. Brushstrokes of gratitude - Photo: Tinh Hoang Tan Alongside the Ancient Citadel, the Vinh Moc Tunnels and the underground village system of Vinh Linh are remarkable works demonstrating the extraordinary ingenuity, willpower and resilience of people and soldiers in the former frontline zone during the resistance war against the United States. Under the policy of militarising the entire population and fortifying the entire area, the people and armed forces of Vinh Linh dug an interconnected system of tunnels and trenches underground, serving both combat and everyday life. The tunnels contained family living quarters, logistics stores, a medical station, meeting rooms, communal areas and other essential facilities, creating a distinctive “underground village” amid intense bombardment. Today, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and Vinh Moc Tunnels are not only precious historical witnesses, but also spaces of remembrance and education that remind visitors of the value of peace. Every return journey, every candle lit and every step through the tunnels helps today’s generations better understand earlier sacrifices, cherish independence and freedom more deeply, and preserve the nation’s tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations.

Hang Tam Co historic site

Pham Van Thuc

Eight Ladies Cave is one of the most significant historical sites along Road 20 - Quyet Thang, associated with the heroic sacrifice of youth volunteers and soldiers during the fiercest years of war. It has become a symbol of resilience, courage, and the devotion of youth to the cause of national liberation and reunification. In 2010, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam posthumously conferred the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces upon the collective of eight youth volunteer martyrs who died at Eight Ladies Cave, expressing the profound recognition and gratitude of the Party, State and people for their contributions and sacrifice. Three years later, in 2013, Eight Ladies Cave was recognised as a Special National Relic, further affirming its historical value and special significance within the system of revolutionary heritage sites along the Truong Son route. More than half a century after the war, traces and memories of sacrifice at the site continue to emerge. In late September 2025, Quang Tri Province began a project to restore the Eight Ladies Cave Special National Relic. During work near the cave entrance, authorities discovered human remains together with artefacts belonging to fallen soldiers. The discovery was another reminder that beneath the roads and cliffs of Truong Son lie stories of those who remained behind for the country, and that the search, recovery and identification of martyrs’ remains remains a long-term journey of responsibility and profound gratitude. Today, Eight Ladies Cave is not only a witness to war, but also a sacred space of remembrance and gratitude. Incense offered reverently inside the cave honours those who devoted their youth and lives to the nation’s independence and freedom. Each journey to the site is also an opportunity for today’s generations to understand the value of peace more deeply, continue the traditions of remembrance and gratitude, and preserve the memory of a generation that lived, fought and sacrificed for the country.

E27 veterans revisit the Quang Tri battlefield

Tran Van Yen

The journey back to the roots and to former battlefields by veterans of Regiment 27, also known as the Trieu Hai Regiment, in Quang Tri is a deeply meaningful act of remembrance. It allows those who survived to offer incense from the heart to nearly 3,500 officers and soldiers who fell for independence and freedom. From the regiment’s establishment until the liberation of the South, over seven years from 1968 to 1975, 3,500 officers and soldiers of Regiment 27 were killed. Among them were 950 personnel from Nghe An; the resting places of around 700 of these men remain unknown, whether in cemeteries or elsewhere on former battlefields. The soldiers of Regiment 27 who survived the war returned to civilian life, but as the years passed, even the hardships of earning a living could not diminish their longing for their fallen comrades.

Offering Tet cake at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel; Cua Viet Victory Monument

Cao Van Tinh - Nguyen Hai

Photo 1: Saigontourist Group, Saigon-Dong Ha Hotel and Saigon Yasaka Hotel jointly offered a pair of banh tet with a combined length of 16.2 metres to the fallen heroes at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, in remembrance and gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for national liberation and reunification, on the 67th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2014. Photo 2: The Cua Viet Victory Monument was built in Phu Hoi Hamlet, former Trieu An Commune, now Nam Cua Viet Commune. Construction began in 2012, and the monument was inaugurated on July 17, 2015. Covering 8,100 square metres, the site features a 17-metre main monument and supporting facilities including landscaped grounds, a community cultural house and greenery, creating a solemn and harmonious space. The total investment was VND 30 billion, funded by VietinBank, VPBank and BIDV.

The journey back to the Motherland

Ho Thanh Tho

“The sacrifice of the heroic martyrs is a noble symbol of Vietnam’s devotion to its international friends and was a decisive factor in the victories of the revolutions of Vietnam and Laos. They left indelible marks on the friendship between the two countries and created the legend of the Vietnamese volunteer soldier - humble yet heroic, youthful yet courageous,” Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam said emotionally at the ceremony receiving the remains of martyrs who had fallen in Laos and were repatriated to Vietnam in May 2023. For more than 40 years, Team 584 of the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command has carried out the mission of searching for and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who fell in Laos. The team has continually faced immense difficulties: extreme heat during the dry season in Laos; dangerous areas still contaminated by unexploded ordnance and residual wartime chemicals; increasingly scarce information; and rapid development that has significantly altered the terrain. Today’s soldiers shoulder the solemn responsibility of bringing their fallen comrades home to the Motherland. Bringing them home to rest alongside their comrades at the National Highway 9 Martyrs’ Cemetery is profoundly meaningful to the fallen soldiers and their families, as well as to the homeland and the nation. Although the identities of many have yet to be determined, their noble sacrifices will forever be recorded in the nation’s history and remembered with gratitude and reverence by the people. The heroic sacrifices of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos stand as a noble symbol of Vietnam’s devotion to international friends and contributed decisively to the victories of the revolutions of Vietnam and Laos. They left enduring marks on the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos. ____________ Photo captions 1. Officers and soldiers of Team 584 expand the search area for the remains of martyrs. 2. Ceremony to receive the remains of martyrs who fell in Laos and were repatriated to Vietnam. 3. A solemn and moving moment welcoming the fallen soldiers home to the Motherland. 4. A Vietnamese honor guard carries the martyrs’ remains from Laos to the venue for the handover and reception ceremony. 5. A sacred journey home to the Motherland. 6. The memorial ceremony is held at the National Highway 9 Martyrs’ Cemetery. 7. Reburial rites for Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who fell in Laos. 8. A solemn moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen martyrs. 6. The memorial ceremony is held at the National Highway 9 Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Sacred Night at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel

Le Thanh Thu

The Quang Tri Ancient Citadel is a unique historical space where 81 days and nights of extremely fierce fighting took place in the summer of 1972. Its sacred character is rooted in the sacrifice of countless officers and soldiers who fell on this land and beside the Thach Han River, helping bring independence, reunification and peace to the country. Every piece of earth here therefore preserves not only traces of war, but also memory and the profound gratitude of today’s generations. For many years, the Party, State and Quang Tri Province have consistently cared for people with meritorious service, implemented policies of gratitude and remembrance, and invested in restoring, preserving and promoting the value of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Special National Relic and memorial sites associated with the 81-day-and-night battle of 1972. Alongside state resources, contributions from organisations, businesses and citizens have helped preserve an increasingly dignified memorial space worthy of the sacrifice of fallen heroes. Today, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel is not only a place where martyrs’ relatives, veterans and people from across the country come to offer incense and remember the fallen; it is also an important revolutionary heritage site for educating people about patriotism and the aspiration for peace. Candles of gratitude glowing within the Citadel continue the chain of memory, reminding today’s generations to cherish independence and freedom, live responsibly and strive to build an ever more developed homeland and country so that today’s peace may be safeguarded for generations to come.

Comradeship

Trinh Hoang Tan

The emotions of soldiers returning to visit the graves of comrades are among the most moving images in any journey of remembrance. Their bond was forged through years of fighting together, sharing hardship and danger, and repeatedly standing on the edge between life and death. For them, those who fell were not only comrades-in-arms but also brothers bound together through a difficult yet heroic youth.The war has ended. Time may have turned their hair grey and weakened their health, but memories of comrades remain intact. Each time veterans return to a martyrs’ cemetery, they light incense together, quietly speak the names of old friends and recall memories of a time when they faced life and death side by side. Some reunions now consist of one person standing before another’s gravestone, yet comradeship feels untouched by time.In those moments, longing mingles with pride and profound gratitude. The tears of elderly soldiers are not only tears of loss, but also an expression of respect for the youth and sacrifice of those who remained behind so that the country could enjoy peace and reunification. For this reason, journeys to visit comrades at martyrs’ cemeteries and revolutionary heritage sites throughout the country are not merely pilgrimages into memory; they are also beautiful expressions of faithful and enduring comradeship. The image of veterans gathered beside their comrades’ graves reminds today’s generations of the tradition of expressing gratitude to previous generations, of the value of peace, and of the responsibility to preserve and carry forward what earlier generations purchased with their youth and blood.

Light from the Source

Trinh Hoang Tan

The image of a lamp being passed between two generations at Lao Bao Prison Relic Site carries profound symbolic meaning. Its light seems to connect past and present, reminding today’s generation of the patriotism, resilience and indomitable spirit of the patriots and revolutionaries once imprisoned and exiled there. It also symbolises the transmission of memory and responsibility, so that values won through the sacrifice of earlier generations continue to be preserved, strengthened and passed on to the future. Lao Bao Prison was built by the French colonial authorities in 1908 and once held many patriotic scholars and revolutionaries during the struggle against colonial rule. Through time and war, the surviving traces of the prison have become evidence of the harsh colonial prison regime, while also highlighting the courage, loyalty, and unyielding spirit of the revolutionaries. The monument group at the site, created by sculptor Pham Van Hang, portrays patriotic prisoners in steadfast, defiant postures. In this setting, the image of young people carrying a lamp through the historical remains creates a powerful connection: the light of the past continues in the present, helping educate people about patriotism, nurture gratitude, and remind today’s generation to live worthy of the sacrifices of those who came before.

E27 veterans search for comrades at Highway 9 National Martyrs Cemetery

Tran Van Yen

Veterans return to Highway 9 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, moving slowly along the rows of graves and carefully searching for the names of comrades who once fought beside them. For these veterans, each name on a gravestone is more than information; it opens an entire realm of memories of marching together and sharing hardship and danger on the battlefield. Finding a comrade’s grave is a reunion of a very special kind. After decades, the survivors have grey hair, while those who fell still rest in Mother Earth. Hands touching a gravestone, incense being lit, and quiet tears are greetings and remembrance for those who once faced life and death together but never returned home. Each return to the cemetery is therefore not only a journey back to a former battlefield, but also a journey of faithful and enduring comradeship. The soldiers of years past uniquely meet one another: one stands before the gravestone, the other rests beneath the green trees, yet memory and affection continue across the decades. The image also reminds today’s generations of the sacrifices of countless Vietnamese sons and daughters for national independence, freedom and reunification, encouraging them to cherish peace, preserve the traditions of remembrance and gratitude, and treasure the stories of comrades so that these memories may be passed on to future generations.