Take care of the place where they rest

- July is the month of gratitude, of “repaying gratitude”, these days, millions of people turn to historical sites. At cemeteries – the resting places of martyrs, many activities to decorate and care for graves have been widely deployed.

Youth Union members of Tam Thanh ward change flower vases at Hoang Dong martyr cemetery, Tam Thanh ward

One day in mid-July 2025, when we visited Hoang Dong martyrs cemetery in Tam Thanh ward, we were impressed by the green and clean space; the steps leading up were paved with stone, with rows of green trees on both sides. We arrived at the right time when many youth union members of Tam Thanh ward and staff of Viettel Lang Son - a branch of the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group were cleaning and replacing old and damaged lotus bouquets and small national flags on the graves.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Thuy, an employee of Viettel Lang Son shared: We feel very proud and honored to be here to take care of and clean the graves of the heroic martyrs, those who have sacrificed their blood and bones to fight for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. During this time, at Hoang Dong martyrs cemetery alone, we added and replaced 100 vases and more than 600 bouquets of plastic lotus flowers.

Currently, there are 12 martyrs' cemeteries in the province. These are cultural, historical and spiritual works, contributingto educating the tradition of patriotism and national pride. In recent years, the work of renovating martyrs' cemeteries has always received attention and focus from all levels and sectors in the province.

Accordingly, from the beginning of 2019 to now, the whole province has repaired and renovated 5 martyr cemeteries in Tam Thanh ward and the communes of Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Na Sam, Van Quan with a number of items such as stone cladding of graves, paving the cemetery grounds with cement, repairing memorials, etc. The total cost of upgrading and repairing each cemetery is from 2 to 3 billion VND. In addition, to show gratitude and commemorate heroes and martyrs, every year, on holidays, New Year, and important anniversaries of the country and the province, delegations of leaders from the province to communes and wards; departments, branches, mass organizations, armed forces and people in the area organize incense offering, flower offering, and burning incense at the graves of martyrs. For example, every year, all levels of the Youth Union maintain cleaning activities and organize candle lighting ceremonies at martyrs' cemeteries, expressing gratitude to heroic martyrs, while educating traditions and fostering patriotism in the younger generation.

Viettel Lang Son staff - Branch of the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group cleans up at Hoang Dong martyr cemetery, Tam Thanh ward

Mr. Chu Van Cuong, the manager of the Cao Loc martyrs cemetery in Ky Lua ward, said: Currently, there are 530 graves in the cemetery. Every day, I clean and take care of the graves of heroes and martyrs. For named martyrs, their families and relatives often visit them, and for unknown heroes and martyrs, on the first or fifteenth day of every month, I go to burn incense and consider them as my relatives.

Ms. Tran Thi Hoa, Bac Giang ward, Bac Ninh province shared: My father is martyr Bui Huy Bay, who died in 1979 while participating in the war to protect the northern border, and was buried in Cao Loc martyrs' cemetery. Because we live far away, my family does not have the opportunity to regularly visit and take care of his grave. Every time I visit, I see the cemetery being increasingly renovated and cleaned. I am very touched and extremely grateful for the dedicated care of the old Cao Loc district, now the new Ky Lua ward.

Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, said: In order to contribute to the gratitude and remembrance of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their blood and bones for the Fatherland in general and the homeland of Lang Son in particular, we have determined that the care and renovation of martyrs' cemeteries is a practical activity, demonstrating the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source" for those who have contributed to the country. With that meaningful purpose, every year, we advise the Provincial People's Committee to implement a plan to renovate and repair cemeteries in the area, focusing on items such as: stone cladding of tombstones, renewing walkways, paving the grounds, repairing memorials... to ensure solemnity, aesthetics, and durability. From the renovation and repair, the cemeteries are truly works of profound historical and spiritual significance and are red addresses for union members, youth, agencies, and units to organize activities to honor heroic martyrs. Thereby, contributing to educating revolutionary traditions, political and ideological education for all classes of people, meeting the needs and wishes of visiting martyrs' relatives and local people.

It can be seen that taking care of the martyrs' cemetery is not just a simple action, but a vivid expression of gratitude, appreciation and responsibility of today's generation towards those who fell for the independence and freedom of the nation.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/tri-an-cac-anh-hung-liet-sy-5053359.html