Hanoi: Nearly 300 portraits of fallen soldiers were presented to their families.

This activity celebrates the successful conclusion of the 17th Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hanoi City, term 2025-2030; and commemorates the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2025).

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Luu presents portraits to relatives of fallen soldiers. *Photo: Bao Lam.*

Attending the event were Nguyen Pham Duy Trang, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and President of the Central Council of the Young Pioneers; Nguyen Xuan Luu, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee; along with representatives from nearly 300 families of martyrs and more than 1,500 Youth Union members, young people, and children from the capital city.

Speaking at the program, the Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City and Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union, Nguyen Tien Hung, recalled the glorious and inspiring traditions of the nation.

According to the Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union, the project to restore photos of martyrs in the city has been implemented by the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Youth Union since 2024. After two years of implementation, the Youth Union has restored 596 photos of martyrs; in the coming time, it is expected to restore more than 400 photos of martyrs to be donated to their families.

hung(1).jpg — Nguyen Tien Hung, Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union, delivers a speech. *Photo: Bao Lam*

At the event, the Hanoi Youth Union presented the relatives of 300 fallen soldiers with restored photographs. Each photograph captures a moment of revived memory, recreating the youth of these soldiers who forever laid down their lives for the independence and freedom of the nation.

"This is not just a gift of gratitude, but also a sacred affirmation: Today's generation will never forget the image and sacrifices of the heroic martyrs who dedicated their entire youth to the Fatherland."

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Hung, the project to restore the portraits of fallen soldiers is a journey of gratitude, responsibility, and love for the homeland. With youthful energy, creativity, and passionate hearts, the youth of Hanoi are undertaking a journey to connect the past with the present, so that the flame of a glorious past will forever be a guiding light for the future.

In addition, the organizing committee also presented meaningful gifts as a token of deep gratitude to the heroic martyrs and their families.

During the program, delegates and youth union members interacted with historical witnesses, those who returned from the bombings and shelling, having experienced the brutal years of war. The stories shared helped the youth of Hanoi better understand the glorious past, the sacrifices, and the indomitable spirit of their ancestors in defending the homeland—a life full of hardship yet incredibly heroic.

Relatives of fallen soldiers were moved to tears upon receiving the restored portraits. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Also at the program, nearly 300 restored photographs were presented to the families of fallen soldiers. From black-and-white photos tainted by time, many with only a few details remaining, through advanced techniques, the images of the fallen soldiers have been recreated clearly.

Participating in the program "Journey to Immortality - From Memory to Aspiration," many families placed their trust and hope in the desire to receive reconstructed images of their loved ones as a form of "reunion," including many touching stories, such as that of martyr Bui Dinh Sau (Phuc Loc commune, who died in 1979).

It is expected that on December 13, 2025, the family will bring the remains of martyr Bui Dinh Sau from the South back to his hometown. Receiving the reconstructed portrait just one day before the martyr's return home feels like a stroke of luck, a sacred and complete reunion.

Ms. Dang Thi Hoa, daughter of martyr Dang Xuan Dao, was moved to tears upon receiving a restored portrait of her father. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Or take the case of martyr Dang Xuan Dao (Khuong Dinh ward, died in 1970), whose portrait was restored from an old photograph taken with his young daughter, as if a bridge connecting father and daughter after more than half a century of separation. Martyr Dang Xuan Dao died before his daughter even knew him, the only memento left behind being this old photograph of them together.

The "Restoring of Martyrs' Photos" project, which provides photos to families of martyrs in Hanoi, was launched by the Hanoi Youth Union in 2024. Phase 1 of the project was implemented in collaboration with the "Red Flower" Group, and Phase 2 in collaboration with the Skyline Group. As of December 12, 2025, 659 photos have been restored. This is an effort by the youth of Hanoi to apply technology to bring martyrs "back" to their families in their original, intact images.

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