Solemn funeral of 95 martyrs who died in Laos

Tien Hung• May 7, 2021 11:48

(Baonghean.vn) - Due to the complicated epidemic situation, the number of people attending the funeral was reduced, but the ceremony was still held solemnly.

On the morning of May 7, at Nghi Loc District Martyrs Cemetery, a burial ceremony was held for the remains of 95 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos. These remains were exhumed during the 2020-2021 dry season in the three provinces of Xieng Khouang, Vientiane and Xay Xom Bun. Photo: Tien Hung

Attending the ceremony were Major General Ha Tan Tien - Deputy Commander of Military Region IV. On the side of Nghe An province, there were Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Special Work Committee; Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ha - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Commander of the Provincial Military Command, Deputy Head of the Provincial Special Work Committee, representatives of provincial departments, branches and sectors; representatives of the Party Committee, government, people of Nghi Loc district, relatives of martyrs. Photo: Tien Hung

Of the 95 remains, 9 have been identified with full names, hometowns, etc. In recent years, this is a rare year to find so many remains with such complete information. Photo: Tien Hung

Because Nghe An has just had a patient test positive for Covid-19, the number of people attending the funeral was reduced. Delegates attending also strictly followed epidemic prevention regulations. Photo: Tien Hung

Over the past 37 years, Nghe An province has closely coordinated with Xieng Khouang, Vientiane and Xay Xom Bun provinces to collect more than 12,300 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives to bring them back to the country and bury them at the Vietnam-Laos martyrs cemetery, Do Luong district martyrs cemetery and Nghi Loc district martyrs cemetery. Photo: Tien Hung

The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere. Photo: Tien Hung

Speaking at the funeral, comrade Bui Dinh Long said that these were outstanding sons of the Vietnamese people, who did not spare their blood and bones to fight heroically for the noble international mission in the resistance wars against the common enemy in the brotherly country of Laos... Photo: Tien Hung

Relatives of one of the nine martyrs were present at the funeral. Photo: Tien Hung

Bringing them back to the motherland. "My brother sacrificed himself 53 years ago. After many efforts to find him, my family was almost in despair for several years until we received the news that he had been found. Now, even though only a handful of bones remain, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I would like to thank the Collection Team for not being afraid of difficulties," said Mr. Dang Huy Qua, the younger brother of martyr Dang Huy Hoa, emotionally. Photo: Tien Hung