Young people across the country light candles to pay tribute to heroic martyrs

The ceremony was held on a large scale, connecting directly from the central bridge point in Ho Chi Minh City to 8 branch bridges including: Quang Tri, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An and Dong Thap.

In Ho Chi Minh City, this activity was organized by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in coordination with the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

At the Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs' Cemetery and other locations across the country, millions of Vietnamese youth hearts turned to the nation's outstanding sons - those who fell for independence and freedom.

Photo caption — Scene of the ceremony at Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs Cemetery.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the leaders of the Central Youth Union and Ho Chi Minh City offered flowers and incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs at the Central Memorial of Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs Cemetery. This is the resting place of more than 14,000 heroic martyrs, many of whom have yet to be identified. This sacred ceremony is a sincere gratitude to those who sacrificed their youth and blood for the cause of national liberation.

Speaking at the Gratitude Ceremony, First Secretary of the Central Youth Union Bui Quang Huy emphasized: "In the sacred and emotional atmosphere of the historic April days, we gather here at the Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs' Cemetery and other points across the country to respectfully offer to the heroic martyrs candles of gratitude shining with pride and infinite gratitude."

"50 years of the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, that glorious journey has been exchanged for countless sweat, tears, and blood of millions of the nation's outstanding children. Every grave, every inch of land here is imbued with silent but great sacrifices, an immortal testament to the spirit of patriotism and the indomitable will of the nation. The candles lit today not only light up the cemetery, but also light up in each of our hearts a sense of responsibility, gratitude, and national pride. It is a reminder to today's young generation of the sacred values that previous generations have preserved and passed on.

In front of the heroic martyrs, Vietnamese youth vow to follow in their fathers' footsteps, continue to promote the tradition of patriotism, constantly study, practice, work creatively, and devote their youth to the cause of building and firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland. Each member and youth will make every effort, turn gratitude into practical actions, and build an increasingly prosperous and civilized homeland," Mr. Bui Quang Huy emphasized.

The highlight of this year’s Gratitude Ceremony is the online “Candle of Gratitude” activity. Every citizen, member of the Youth Union, and youth, even if they cannot attend in person, can light a candle via the QR code displayed throughout the livestream. These seemingly small electronic candles have the power to spread deep gratitude, connecting millions of Vietnamese hearts in a sacred and emotional atmosphere.

At the branch points, the Gratitude Ceremony was also solemnly held with the participation of leaders of Party committees, authorities, representatives of departments, branches, unions and thousands of local youth union members, demonstrating the widespread spread of the program nationwide.

In particular, this year, the program was broadcast live on the digital platforms of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and at the same time, an online “Candle of Gratitude” was launched. Thanks to that, union members, youth and people from all over the country can participate, expressing their deep gratitude to those who have fallen for peace today.

The atmosphere of the ceremony became more solemn when the delegates and all the participants performed the flag-raising ceremony, the minute of silence and the incense offering. The solemn introduction and the National Anthem resounded from the hearts of each person as a promise to follow in the footsteps of generations of heroes. Candles were lit at the martyrs' graves, fresh wreaths were respectfully offered, combined with the light and heroic music, creating a touching and sacred picture.

At the Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs Cemetery (Thu Duc City), Cu Chi, Nha Be, Binh Tan, Hoc Mon, Can Gio districts... the City's youth union members also lit candles, covering the graves.

Along with the candle lighting program, during the historic month of April, young people across the country also organized many meaningful activities: visiting and giving gifts to veterans participating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, wounded and sick soldiers, families with meritorious services to the revolution; repairing gratitude houses; decorating cemeteries and martyrs' monuments...