July - in the atmosphere of the whole country towards the activities to celebrate the 76th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, the working delegation of the province led by comrade Luu Van Dung, member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and its members returned to the land of Nghe An, full of blood and fire during the resistance war, to Anh Son district - where Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts once fought and rested in Laos.
After a journey of more than 400 kilometers, although quite tired, everyone was eager and looking forward to visiting the special cemetery named after the two countries Vietnam - Laos. Located on a large hill, the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery has an area of more than 7 hectares. The first impression is the majesty and grandeur, with rows of shady green trees as if protecting the souls of the martyrs here.
The vast space was filled with camaraderie and comradeship. It was not difficult to see wives visiting their husbands, veterans visiting their comrades, children visiting their fathers, and groups, political organizations, union members, and youths... Everyone together respectfully lit incense sticks, paying tribute to the heroes and martyrs.
The Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery was built in 1976 and is the largest international cemetery in the country, gathering the graves of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who fought and died in Laos. This is also the only cemetery in Vietnam named after two countries and two brotherly peoples, Vietnam and Laos.
Since its establishment, the cemetery has received and cared for nearly 11,000 remains of martyrs from 47 provinces and cities across the country. The cemetery has 2 areas, including area A with 9 lots with 5,381 graves; area B with 13 lots with 5,219 graves.
A representative of the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery Management Board said: Out of nearly 11,000 graves, so far only more than 3,000 heroes and martyrs have been identified, including 69 martyrs who are natives of Vinh Phuc province, while more than 7,000 graves have yet to be identified by name or hometown. This is also a concern for the relic site management unit, present and future generations.
On the stele at the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery, composed by Professor Phan Ngoc, there is a passage: "Occupying Laos to occupy Vietnam, the French colonialists used a thousand tricks, the yoke of oppression to re-establish themselves was heavy; Helping friends, helping themselves, our people, the whole country, are united, determined to abolish the chains of slavery this time/Our army and people set out, far from family, Fatherland, with iron legs and bronze shoulders, Vietnam and Laos join forces to fight, regardless of sacrifice, for freedom and happiness, with golden hearts and jade hearts, the international community wholeheartedly supports, no fear of hardship".
These strong words show the steadfast relationship, the brotherhood, for the sake of independence, always standing shoulder to shoulder. Imbued with that spirit, the volunteer soldiers of Vinh Phuc homeland rushed to the international battlefield, fought bravely, leaving their blood and bones on foreign lands, determined to preserve peace and independence for future generations.
After the ceremony, we went to visit the martyrs' graves, offered incense, and expressed our respect and gratitude. Although the cemetery was as vast as the ocean, it seemed that the souls of the martyrs were guiding us. After only a few minutes of moving from the Memorial, we arrived at the graves of the heroes and martyrs: Nguyen Van Cho, from Phu Thinh commune, Vinh Tuong district; Bui Dinh Giao, from Yen Lac district; Tuc Han Thu, from Lap Thach district; Nguyen Van Thao, from Bac Binh commune, Lap Thach district...
Standing before the graves of the heroes and martyrs of Vinh Phuc, every member of the delegation paused for a moment, feeling even more clearly the infinite gratitude for the sacrifices of generations of fathers and brothers who fought for their homeland, country and noble international mission.
For me, after this trip, mentioning the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery located on the homeland of Anh Son (Nghe An) always brings an indescribable feeling - like a sacred call, because that land is the resting place of generations of fathers and brothers who are the children of Vinh Phuc homeland who sacrificed their blood and bones to gain the independence and peace of today for the two countries of Vietnam - Laos.
Article and photos: Chu Kieu
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