The ceremony was jointly organized by the HCM City Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, along with the Military Region 7 Command, to honor fallen soldiers and uphold the nation’s traditions of patriotism and gratitude to those who rendered service to the nation.
A delegation of Party and State leaders and the National 515 Steering Committee, led by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, laid wreaths and offered incense in tribute to fallen soldiers. They were followed by delegations from the Central Military Commission, the Central Public Security Party Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Party Committee and Command of Military Region 7, and representatives of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Tay Ninh.
Delivering the eulogy, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, expressed deep gratitude to the fallen soldiers: “Answering the call of the Party and the homeland, millions of young people were on the battlefield, ready to sacrifice their lives for the Fatherland. Together with the Party, the army, and people, they fought a prolonged resistance war to ultimate victory. Their sacrifices were immeasurable, their contributions immense. The Fatherland honors their service, and the people will forever remember them. Eternal glory to the fallen heroes who gave their lives for the nation and the happiness of its people.”
At the memorial service, delegates observed a minute of silence in tribute to the fallen heroes.
Following the memorial service, the remains of the 731 fallen soldiers were transported to Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery for burial. Thousands of people lined the route, holding white flowers as they bid farewell to the fallen soldiers.
“Thinking of the soldiers who have lain in the ground for decades moves me deeply. That is why my friends and I came here early to accompany them to their final resting place. Although it was only a brief moment, it was an honor and a source of pride for me, and a way to express our reverence and gratitude to the predecessors, the fallen heroes of our nation,” said one young person.
Before the memorial service and burial ceremony for the 731 fallen soldiers, the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha held a prayer ceremony at Le Thi Rieng Park in the early morning.
The previous evening, a special art program was held at the park, reminding people living in peace today of their responsibility to contribute to building and defending the country.
