A solemn memorial service was held to pay tribute to 512 journalist martyrs.

On the evening of July 17th, as part of the "Lighting the Flame of Gratitude - 2024" social activities program, the Vietnam Journalists Association held a memorial service for fallen journalists and reporters at Au Lac Pagoda (Da Pagoda, Vinh City). This is the only pagoda in the country that worships 512 martyrs who were journalists and reporters who sacrificed their lives while working on the battlefield and in the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland.

Attending the ceremony, on behalf of the Vietnam Journalists Association were: Mr. Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi - former Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; and former Standing Vice Presidents of the Vietnam Journalists Association: Mr. Le Quoc Trung, Mr. Ha Minh Hue, along with representatives of organizations and leaders of units under the Central Office of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

Representing the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province were Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Head of the Central Culture Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province, along with other venerable monks and nuns of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province.

Representing Nghe An province were: Ms. Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee; and representatives from the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, the Provincial Military Command, and relevant departments and agencies. Also present were leaders from Vinh City and hundreds of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers.

In the struggle for independence, national reunification, and the building of socialism, answering the sacred call of the Fatherland, the Party, and President Ho Chi Minh, millions of outstanding sons and daughters of the Vietnamese nation dedicated their youth, fought bravely, heroically sacrificed their lives, or suffered lifelong injuries.

Among those millions and tens of thousands of heroic sons and daughters were our predecessors, journalists, and war correspondents.

These journalist-soldiers dedicated their youth to ensuring that news reports, photographs, and films about the struggle for national liberation and the protection of the independence, peace, and freedom of the Fatherland were disseminated throughout the country and the world.

In remembrance of the contributions of the martyred journalists, journalist Tran Van Hien - former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper - has spent more than 15 years collecting documents and compiling a list of over 512 heroic journalist martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives in the wars against France and the United States, and in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

The journalists who sacrificed their lives while working on battlefields and on international missions during the two wars of resistance against France and the United States belonged to units such as: Vietnam News Agency, Voice of Vietnam Radio, People's Army Newspaper, People's Newspaper, Labor Newspaper, Liberation Radio, and 23 local press agencies in the provinces... Currently, 512 journalist martyrs are commemorated at Au Lac Pagoda (Da Pagoda) in Hung Loc commune, Vinh city.

Within the framework of the "Lighting the Flame of Gratitude 2024" program, commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs, and looking forward to the 100th anniversary of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day, the Vietnam Journalists Association solemnly organized a memorial service for the souls of journalist martyrs at Au Lac Pagoda.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh emphasized that the immense contributions of the martyred journalists serve as a shining example and a reminder for every journalist today to strive harder, resolutely overcome difficulties, constantly innovate, be professional and make breakthroughs, and contribute positively to the revolutionary journalism of Vietnam.

The Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association also extended his sincere thanks to the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province, and to the monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of Au Lac Pagoda.

At the same time, the Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association also expressed his deep gratitude to journalist Tran Van Hien, who spent more than 15 years piecing together documents and information to find the names of his fellow journalist martyrs and bring them back to be enshrined at Au Lac Pagoda in Nghe An. His unwavering loyalty to his comrades has provided journalists with a sacred place for future generations to remember their predecessors, thereby educating them about traditions, fostering revolutionary moral qualities, especially among the younger generation; building political fortitude, upholding a sense of responsibility and professional ethics to successfully fulfill political tasks, worthy of the Party's trust and the people's expectations.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Journalists Association presented 10 gifts to underprivileged but academically优秀 students; and awarded commemorative medals to Venerable Thich Dong Tue - abbot of Au Lac Pagoda and journalist Tran Van Hien.