Attending and giving a speech at the ceremony were General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense. Also attending were members of the Party Central Committee; leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, and organizations; the Central Youth Union Secretariat, leaders of central departments and units; leaders of the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi; departments, branches, and political and social organizations; districts, towns, and Hanoi city. Especially, there were the presence of revolutionary veterans, war invalids, sick soldiers, former youth volunteers; people with meritorious services to the revolution; a large number of people from all walks of life and young people of Hanoi city.

General Phan Van Giang speaks at the "Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to Heroic Martyrs".

The Central-level "Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to the Heroic Martyrs" was held at the Hanoi City Martyrs' Cemetery - the resting place of 2,188 outstanding sons of the capital and the nation who heroically sacrificed their lives in the country's resistance wars and in peacetime. The Central-level "Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to the Heroic Martyrs" was simultaneously held at 9 connecting points at the martyrs' cemeteries in the provinces of Hoa Binh, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Dak Lak, Tra Vinh and Can Tho city; along with more than 3,200 martyrs' cemeteries and more than 3,000 works honoring martyrs nationwide were held simultaneously in 63 provinces and cities.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang expressed his sincere gratitude and respectfully bowed to commemorate the beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the revolutionary predecessors, and the heroic martyrs who heroically sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for the happiness of the people. General Phan Van Giang respectfully sent to the revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the people's armed forces, wounded and sick soldiers, relatives of martyrs, and people with meritorious services to the revolution his deepest feelings and warmest regards.

General Phan Van Giang offered incense at the "Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to Heroic Martyrs".

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that in the struggle for national liberation, independence and freedom for the Fatherland and a peaceful and happy life for the people; under the leadership of the Party, millions of outstanding sons of the nation fought bravely, heroically sacrificed, and offered their blood and bones for the Fatherland. The blood and sacrifice of the heroic martyrs have colored the glorious revolutionary flag of the Party, so that our country can blossom with independence and bear the fruit of freedom.

Imbued with the Vietnamese people's moral principles of "When drinking water, remember its source" and "When eating fruit, remember the person who planted the tree" and the wishes of President Ho Chi Minh, over the past 76 years, the Party, the State, the entire political system and the whole society have always paid attention to leading, directing and implementing well the work of gratitude, improving the material and spiritual life of war invalids, sick soldiers, relatives of martyrs and people with meritorious services to the revolution.

Soldiers at the "Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to Heroic Martyrs".

Youth Union members at the "Candle Lighting Ceremony to Pay Tribute to Heroic Martyrs".

Recognizing and praising the youth unions at all levels and the youth of the whole country, General Phan Van Giang hopes to continue to have many practical projects and tasks, contributing with all levels, sectors, units and localities to promote the work of gratitude, helping families with meritorious services and people with meritorious services. Regularly attach importance to traditional education so that the younger generation deeply understands and appreciates the great contributions of heroic martyrs and those who have contributed to the revolution; proactively and creatively participate in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, for the happiness of the people and the longevity of the nation.

General Phan Van Giang requested local Party committees and authorities, agencies and units inside and outside the Army to continue to pay attention to directing, creating favorable conditions, and closely coordinating with youth organizations at all levels to effectively implement the Party and State's policies and guidelines for people with revolutionary contributions.

General Phan Van Giang presents gifts to wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and families with meritorious services.

General Phan Van Giang believes that the youth of the whole country will continue the good values ​​of our nation that previous generations have created and built, be absolutely loyal to the revolutionary ideals, resolutely and persistently protect the achievements that have been achieved, firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam in the new situation; unite with one heart to strive, study, practice, raise the aspiration to contribute, determined to build a prosperous and happy Vietnam, increasingly more dignified and beautiful as beloved Uncle Ho always wished.

News and photos: PHAM KIEN - TUAN HUY