Quietly the caretaker

We visitVietnam - Laos International Martyrs CemeteryIn Anh Son district on a mid-July morning, the graves here are cleaned, the scent of incense wafts in the wind, creating a peaceful, sacred feeling for visitors. Looking at the neatly trimmed trees and the cleanly cared for graves, one can feel the value of the silent work of the caretakers. Their days seem to have little rest. Some sweep up the fallen leaves, others meticulously remove the clumps of grass clinging to the graves, others fix the incense bowls, all working under the scorching midday sun.

The Vietnam - Laos International Cemetery is the resting place of nearly 11,000 heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the duty of protecting the Fatherland and the international friendship between Vietnam and Laos. Photo: Thai Hien

Seeing us, Mr. Nguyen Sy Sau stopped to take a break and shared: Having been here for more than 15 years, he is familiar with every grave, knows every location and number of each grave. Unlike other cemeteries, the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery is the resting place of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died on the battlefield in Laos. "Therefore, each of us feels moved when working here. Taking care of and protecting each grave for the martyrs every day and welcoming delegations and relatives of the martyrs' families to visit the cemetery is our joy. For the graves that are unknown and have no relatives to visit, we consider them as relatives and take good care of them."

The Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery is located in the center of Anh Son district, gathering more than 11 thousand graves of martyrs, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died on the battlefield in Laos. Of these, about 3,500 graves have names and hometowns, while the rest have unknown names and addresses. Photo: Archive

Along with Mr. Sau, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien has been working as a cemetery manager for 19 years. She is always diligent in her work, whether it is bright sunshine or cold rain, she still quietly takes care of each grave and cleans the cemetery grounds.

Leading us to burn incense at the martyrs' graves on a clean concrete road, with shady trees neatly trimmed on both sides, Ms. Hien confided: After graduating with a degree in Tourism, at the right time when the Management Board of the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery was recruiting staff, I applied and was accepted. Over the years, I have always been proud of the job I chose. The job is ordinary but gives me peaceful moments. Every day, I hold a broom to sweep leaves, hold pruning shears, and personally clear the grass around the graves... Those who are not used to it think it is boring, but once I get into it, I feel affection for each part of the job I do.

Ms. Hien confided: The first days of work were also scary, the scariest thing was having to patrol and check the graves at night, but gradually I got used to it and felt very close and familiar. I think that the motivation for the staff here to overcome the difficulties and hardships at work is perhaps, besides responsibility, it is the gratitude and appreciation of future generations to the generations of fathers and brothers who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

For those who work as caretakers at the Vietnam-Laos martyrs cemetery In Anh Son district, this is not only a responsibility but also a joy, a way to show gratitude. with heroic martyrs who sacrificed for the Fatherland. Photo: Thai Hien

Ms. Le Thi Dung in village 2, Dien Hai commune, Dien Chau district came to the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery to burn incense for her father, martyr Nguyen Chau Giang, who died on November 4, 1967 in the Laos battlefield. She shared: “My family only goes there once or twice a year to burn incense and clean up, usually on the occasion of Lunar New Year and July 27. The rest of the time is left to the caretakers here. Every time I come here, I see that my father's grave is always well taken care of, clean and tidy. As a relative of a martyr, I feel warm inside.”

According to the caretakers at the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery, although this job is not too hard, it requires diligence and dedication. Only those who love the job and are proud of their job as caretakers like Mr. Sau and Ms. Hien can stick with it for a long time. For them, this is not just a job, but also a gesture and responsibility towards those who sacrificed for the peace of the Fatherland. Every day, their job is to guide relatives of martyrs to visit and burn incense at graves, trim trees, sweep, weed, collect trash to clean up the cemetery grounds and take care of the martyrs' graves...

Guiding families of martyrs to burn incense at the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery. Photo: Thai Hien

Due to the nature of their work, they spend more time working outdoors than indoors. It’s bearable when the weather is favorable, but it’s hard to describe the hardships during hot or cold seasons. Each season has its own leaves, if you forget to sweep them for a while, the leaves will cover the entire path. And when there are groups visiting, the staff and caretakers have to perform the ceremony and guide the groups through the rituals and sightseeing, which is also very hard. However, many groups visiting the cemetery always give praise to the caretakers for their dedication and enthusiasm.

The caretakers are cleaning and repairing graves at the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs Cemetery. Photo: Thai Hien

Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc - Head of the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery Management Board said: The cemetery was built on an area of ​​nearly 7 hectares, in residential group 2, Anh Son town; it is the resting place of nearly 11,000 heroic martyrs who are soldiers, experts and Vietnamese volunteers, from 47 provinces and cities across the country who sacrificed their lives for the duty of protecting the Fatherland and the international friendship between the two countries Vietnam - Laos. The entire cemetery architecture was built solemnly, creating a sacred and respectful feeling, with 19 burial areas. Of which, there are more than 3,500 identified graves, and nearly 7,000 graves of unknown martyrs.

Currently, the site management board here has 7 people, all of whom are determined to work with their hearts. On normal days, each shift is only assigned two people; on holidays, all staff must be on duty to ensure work requirements. Dedicating their lives to the job of site management, the site managers here are always dedicated and wholeheartedly keep the resting place of martyrs clean, beautiful, and cozy, contributing to fostering the morality of "remembering the source of water when drinking" for today's and future generations.

The job of a caretaker is different from other jobs. It is not hard work but requires dedication and respect. Photo: Thai Hien

Meeting them and talking to them, we understand more about the silent contributions of these very simple and sincere people. Every year, when War Invalids and Martyrs Day comes on July 27, the caretakers are busier with the work of taking care of the graves, welcoming relatives and people who come to visit the cemetery, and pay tribute to the heroic martyrs, but everyone feels warm and happy because of the work they do.