93 fallen soldiers to rest in peace at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery

Along the route, local residents, war veterans, officials, service personnel and students gathered with national flags to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

The remains were recovered during a search operation in areas along the former northern border battlefield in Tuyen Quang. Of the 93 sets of remains, 18 were found individually, while the other 75 were recovered from six mass graves.

The recovery effort involved persistent searches in rugged mountainous terrain where many Vietnamese soldiers fought and lost their lives during the defence of the northern border.

Following incense-offering and moments of silence, service personnel carefully placed the remains aboard vehicles for the journey of more than 40 kilometres to the cemetery. The convoy travelled through Thanh Thuy commune and the central area of Ha Giang 1 Ward before continuing along National Highway 2, accompanied by solemn tributes from residents gathered along the way.

Vietnamese national flags were raised high as the convoy passed. War veterans stood to salute their fallen comrades, while local residents and schoolchildren watched in silence as the soldiers made their final journey home.

For veterans who fought on the Vi Xuyen battlefield, the return of their comrades carried particular significance, bringing back memories of the fierce fighting and the sacrifices of those who never returned from the front.

During the war to defend Vietnam’s northern border, fierce battles took place in border areas of what is now Tuyen Quang province. Many soldiers were killed at strategic heights around Thanh Thuy, and efforts to search for and recover their remains continue so that they can be returned to their families and comrades.

The transfer of the 93 sets of remains forms part of a 500-day campaign to search for and identify fallen soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Tiep, deputy head of the provincial military’s search and recovery team, said the team had recovered 98 sets of remains as of October 14. Five had been identified and handed over to local authorities and families for memorial services and burial.

A memorial service, tribute ceremony and burial for the 93 fallen soldiers will be held on October 15 at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery.

After many years left on the battlefield, the soldiers are returning not only to rest alongside their comrades, but also to the enduring gratitude of the Vietnamese people. Their homecoming serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the responsibility to preserve the tradition of honouring those who laid down their lives for the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ceremony in Tuyen Quang followed another solemn tribute in Ho Chi Minh City earlier on October 14, where the remains of 731 fallen soldiers recovered from Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park were laid to rest at Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery.

731 sets of fallen soldiers’ remains laid to rest at HCM City Martyrs’ Cemetery

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and other incumbent and former Party and State leaders attended a burial ceremony for 731 sets of fallen soldiers’ remains recovered from Le Thi Rieng Park, bringing them to their final resting place at Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery on October 14.