Requiem for Gac Ma fallen soldiers held in Czech Republic
A requiem in commemoration of 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnam’s Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef 30 years ago took place in the Czech Republic on March 14.
Prague(VNA) – A requiem in commemoration of 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives todefend Vietnam’s Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef 30 years ago took place in the CzechRepublic on March 14.
Speaking at theevent, head of the organising board Nguyen Dinh Hoi, who is a war veteran,emotionally recalled history of the Gac Ma battle. He spoke highly of thesoldiers’ fighting spirit and sacrifice to safeguard Vietnam’s sovereignty overseas and islands.
The requiemshowed the Vietnamese community’s deep gratitude to the fallen combatants, Hoinoted.
Buddhistfollowers in the Czech Republic carried out the requiem with prayer and candlelighting rituals in tribute to the soldiers.
On the sidelinesof the event, a music show was organised along with a fund-raising programme tocollect money for the construction of houses for the soldiers’ families.
Participantsalso took part in a film screening and map exhibition on Vietnam’s sovereigntyover its seas and islands. They signed their names on a letter of petition sentto the European Parliament and a letter of protest to the Chinese Embassy in theCzech Republic, requesting China to end activities that escalate tension in theEast Sea, to abide by international law, and to settle disputes in the East Seathrough peaceful measures.-VNA
The battle to defend Vietnam’s Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef on March 14, 1988 will be officially included in the high school curriculum, an act to pay tribute to the 64 Vietnamese martyrs and help infuse their unyielding spirit into future generations.
The authorities of the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa and local armed forces gathered on March 14 to pay tribute to 64 naval officers and soldiers who lost their lives in a battle to protect Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago three decades ago.
The Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Poland held a requiem in Warsaw on March 13 to pray for 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnam’s Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef 30 years ago.
Nearly 200 war veterans who once stationed on Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago attended a ceremony held in central Da Nang city on March 14 to commemorate 64 soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the island on March 14, 1988.
Nearly 500 war veterans who struggled to defend Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago met in Hoa Vinh town, Dong Hoa district, the central province of Phu Yen, to recall the Gac Ma battle.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the agency’s centre for digital contents and communications (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
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Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
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From “Thanh nien”, Vietnam’s first revolutionary newspaper founded by Nguyen Ai Quoc (later President Ho Chi Minh) on June 21, 1925, the revolutionary press has remained devoted to its sacred missions -accompanying the nation, serving the Fatherland, and working for the people.
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Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said VNA has been a consistent and reliable partner in OANA, contributing actively to the regional media landscape through content sharing, coordination, and policy discussions. Their coverage of ASEAN and Indochina issues adds valuable perspectives. Bernama appreciates the collaboration with VNA.
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At the requiem (Photo: VNA) 
