Dien Bien: Inauguration of the Memorial Site for Heroic Martyr Pham Van Cuong

Inauguration Ceremony of the Memorial Site for Heroic Martyr Pham Van Cuong. Photo: Ngoc Thuy

Attending the inauguration ceremony were comrades: Tran Quoc Cuong - Secretary of Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee; Vu A Bang - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Major General Vu Ngoc Vuong - Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam People's Police Veterans Association along with the father, mother and family of heroic martyr Pham Van Cuong.

The construction of the Memorial Site for Heroic Martyrs Pham Van Cuong began on April 19, 2025 and was officially completed on July 20, 2025 (nearly 1 month ahead of schedule). The total investment of the memorial site is 2.5 billion VND, mobilized from many sources of capital contributed by officers and soldiers and sponsored and supported by units, organizations and individuals.

The project is built on an area of 1,141m², divided into three main areas: Parking lot and front landscape (300m²). Central memorial area and walkway (241m²), at the exact place where comrade Cuong and 2 people fell. Parking lot and back landscape (600m²).

The central monument cluster includes an incense burner, a semicircular step paved with Binh Dinh granite, a rear stele and a red stone monument pillar, engraved with the portrait and exploits of martyr Pham Van Cuong. Feng shui elements are also emphasized, with the artificial hill behind creating a “leaning mountain” shape, bringing sacredness and harmony to the entire memorial area.

Up to this point, the entire project has been completed synchronously from the monument architecture, garden landscape, lighting, parking lot, to cultural-spiritual details. All create a solemn, warm, intimate memorial space, true to the meaning of gratitude and education of revolutionary traditions.

Delegates and families at the inauguration ceremony.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Comrade Tran Quoc Cuong - Secretary of Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee affirmed: The construction of the Memorial Site for Heroic Martyr Pham Van Cuong right at the place where he fell is a way to preserve memories, honor his exploits, remind the next generation of the spirit of sacrifice, the devotion to serving the people - a symbolic testament to the will to overcome difficulties, the determination to preserve every inch of the border land. He acknowledged and highly appreciated the sense of responsibility, the efforts and dedication of the Provincial Police along with the companionship and support of organizations, sponsors and people throughout the process of implementing the construction of the project.

In order for the Memorial to continue to promote its value and significance, the Provincial Party Secretary requested the Provincial Police to continue to be the unit in charge of managing, preserving and promoting the value of the project. The Memorial is not only a place to mark achievements, but also a red address, an important cultural - historical - spiritual destination of the province, a place to educate the revolutionary tradition of generations of People's Police officers and soldiers nationwide and for youth in and outside Dien Bien province.

Comrade Vu Van Dau - Director of Dien Bien Provincial Police said: "Lieutenant Pham Van Cuong was a young and enthusiastic soldier. He devoted himself to difficult tasks, resolutely followed the case, directly participated in many large drug trafficking rings and heroically sacrificed himself when he was just over 25 years old. This loss left behind great sorrow, but from that sacrifice, it gave strength to his teammates to successfully destroy the MC 92001 case, destroying the drug capital "Na U". Building a memorial right at the place where he fell is a way to preserve memories, honor his achievements, and remind future generations of that spirit. The memorial will not only be a place to remember, but also a place to stop to contemplate, to learn, and to be grateful.

He suggested that the Political Affairs Department advise on the development of propaganda materials about the heroic example of Heroic Martyr Pham Van Cuong. Integrate the data of the Relic Site into the digital map of culture and history of the People's Public Security into smart applications, from which people can look up, visit, and learn about history.

Speaking in gratitude, Mr. Pham Bang, father of martyr, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Pham Van Cuong, emotionally shared: "From the place where my son's last footsteps were imprinted, a monument has appeared, solid, solemn and full of affection. This work is not only a spiritual support for my family but also a symbol of the deep gratitude of the Party, State, Police force and people to those who have fallen for a peaceful life.

As parents, no one is pained when sending their child to the grave. But in the midst of that pain, we still hold our heads high. Because we know: Our child has chosen a noble path, a path of ideals, dedication and sacrifice. My child fell in the prime of his youth, but he lived a life that was not in vain."

Martyr Pham Van Cuong's father expressed his wish that this place will forever be a "red address", where students, soldiers, and people come together to foster the ideal of patriotism, add faith and strength to the ideal of life and the spirit of dedication.

THUY LAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dien-bien-khanh-thanh-khu-tuong-niem-anh-hung-liet-si-pham-van-cuong-post895659.html