[In Pictures] Youth nationwide lights candles in commemoration of fallen soldiers and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

In Dien Bien Province, a candle-lighting ceremony in commemoration of fallen soldiers was held by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, in coordination with the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and Dien Bien Province.

The Doc Lap Martyrs’ Cemetery

The programme took place simultaneously at Doc Lap Martyrs’ Cemetery, A1 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, Tong Khao Martyrs’ Cemetery and Him Lam Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Many veterans are present at the ceremony

At the ceremony, delegates observed a minute of silence to commemorate the heroic martyrs who laid down their lives for national independence and expressed their grief for the passing of the late General Secretary, an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese revolution.

The delegates observe a minute of silence to commemorate the heroic martyrs and late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

According to Nguyen Ngoc Luong, Standing Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union cum President of the Vietnam Youth Federation, the Youth Union at all levels simultaneously organised many activities in July to show gratitude to national contributors, such as the presentation of gifts, meals and houses to policy beneficiaries and repairs of martyrs’ cemeteries.

The honourary seats are reserved to commemorate fallen soldiers

The honour guards prepare to perform the flower offering ritual

Youth Union members in the armed forces are present at the ceremony

Within the programme’s framework, the Organising Board presented 70 gifts to wounded and sick soldiers, families of revolutionary contributors, and children in difficult circumstances in Dien Bien Province. Each gift included 1.5 million VND in cash and 500,000 VND in kind.

Thousands of candles shine together at the Doc Lap Martyrs’ Cemetery

In addition, the Organising Board also hands over a bridge worth 200 million VND, three social houses with a total value of 150 million VND, a "Legal Bookcase" and five sets of computers and televisions to localities and units in the province.

Nguyen Ngoc Luong burns incense to pay tribute to martyrs

Delegates and thousands of Youth Union members offered flowers and incense and lit candles to pay tribute to more than 2,400 fallen soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

Young people light thousands of incense sticks to commemorate fallen soldiers

Many local people and tourists across the country also attend the event

The candle-lighting ceremony to pay tribute to fallen soldiers took place simultaneously in Da Nang and the provinces of Tay Ninh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.