Visit the cemetery, pay tribute to the heroic martyrs

(VLO) During the historic days of July, martyr cemeteries across Vietnam are always bustling with people visiting, taking care of the graves, and offering incense to pay tribute to heroes and martyrs.

People visit martyrs resting at the Martyrs Cemetery of Vinh Long province.

We visited the Martyrs Cemetery of Vinh Long Province and inhaled the gentle scent of frangipani flowers. The frangipani trees planted in front of and in the cemetery grounds were blooming with pure white color, bringing a sense of peace. Looking at the lush green bonsai trees, beautifully trimmed; the graves were carefully cared for and clean, we could feel the hearts of the caretakers here.

The provincial cemetery covers an area of nearly 130 hectares - the resting place of more than 3,400 martyrs from all over the country. Of these, more than 2,400 are graves of martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives in two wars against French colonialism and American imperialism and the war to protect the southwestern border of the Fatherland.

Nguyen Thanh Truc (Ward 9, Vinh Long City) was moved: "Born in peacetime, when Vietnam was reunited, the young generation like us only knew about war through heroic history pages, documentary films, and stories...

Now standing among thousands of martyrs' graves, we are deeply moved, feeling the immense pain and loss of war. And, we are free to open our hearts to appreciate the value of happiness and freedom; to cherish and value more the peaceful life we have.

At Tam Binh District Martyrs Cemetery - the resting place of more than 2,240 martyrs who died in the war against American imperialism and its henchmen.

After taking care of his relative's grave and lighting incense sticks for the surrounding graves, Mr. Pham Hoang Han (Tra Vinh City) shared: "On the occasion of July 27, Tet or when I return to my hometown, I always visit the cemetery to light incense for my father and the heroic martyrs.

My father died in the war against America when I was not yet 1 year old. Coming here, I feel very emotional and grateful. When witnessing thousands of graves, I feel the great sacrifice of the heroic martyrs. My family also has many relatives who are martyrs, so these days are even more meaningful to me."

No words can describe the losses and sacrifices throughout this S-shaped strip of land. Peace has been transformed into the blood and bones of countless Vietnamese people. The 20-hectare Hang Duong Cemetery, seen from above, is shaded by cool acacia trees. This is where most tourists visit and offer incense when they come to Con Dao (Ba Ria Vung Tau).

In Hang Duong Con Dao cemetery, there are nearly 2,000 graves divided into 4 areas A, B, C, D, in which areas A, B, C are the old cemeteries, and D is the newly established cemetery area. Here, tens of thousands of patriots and revolutionary soldiers of many generations were imprisoned and sacrificed during the period from 1862 to 1975.

However, out of nearly 2,000 graves here, only 713 graves can be identified. What is special is that each grave at Hang Duong Cemetery is now covered with stone, with a star printed in the middle symbolizing each soul that has rested in Con Dao.

Many young people were silent before the tombstones of unknown martyrs at Hang Duong Cemetery (Con Dao).

Everyone bowed in gratitude, burned incense to commemorate their predecessors, heroes, martyrs, visited the graves of heroine Vo Thi Sau, General Secretary Le Hong Phong; patriot Nguyen An Ninh; historical witnesses of patriotism, the indomitable struggle for independence and freedom for the Fatherland. Among them, there was comrade Ho Van Nam - Hero of the People's Armed Forces, son of Vinh Long province.

We also noticed a grave next to Vo Thi Sau's grave with a small inscription: "Martyr - Hero of the People's Armed Forces Ho Van Nam" born in 1934, from Vinh Long.

And I was surprised and moved when I heard the tour guide introduce: "Anh Nam was also executed by the enemy on the same day as Ms. Vo Thi Sau, when he was 16 years old, so everyone buried him next to Ms. Sau's grave."

Before going to the execution ground, Sister Sau picked a branch of pear blossoms and put it in her hair. The strong, indomitable girl, the hero "died for the pear blossom season". And in front of her grave, the pear blossom tree still stands tall, green and lush like the youth of the heroic Sister Sau, forever lasting with the mountains and rivers.

Today, Hang Duong Martyrs Cemetery is a red addressfor educating revolutionary traditions and vivid Party history that anyone who comes to Con Dao to visit cannot help but be moved, mixed with admiration and pride for generations of patriotic ancestors. Many young people have been silent before the tombstones of unknown martyrs.

Burning incense at the martyrs' graves with his parents, little Bui An Nhien (9 years old, Vinh Long City) looked at the names of the martyrs. There were martyrs who died at a very young age, martyrs from faraway Northern and Central regions, and there were nameless martyrs, many of them were in unnamed mass graves. The little girl wondered and asked her father why this grave was unnamed.

Then when he heard his father explain that his aunts and uncles also had names, but because of the war, they lost their names and their relatives and comrades were trying to find them. "I feel so sorry for them and love them so much, Mom and Dad" - little An Nhien was moved.

Years will pass, but the contributions of heroes, martyrs, revolutionary soldiers, patriots who lived and fought for the noble ideal of “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”. Today’s and future generations will forever be grateful for the sacrifices and contributions of countless heroes, martyrs, those who left a part of their body on the battlefield.

Article and photos: MAI NGUYEN

Source: https://baovinhlong.vn/thoi-su/202407/vieng-nghia-trang-tri-an-cac-anh-hung-liet-si-3185539/