A ceremony commemorating revolutionary martyrs and people who sacrificed their life in a sea battle in the Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago was held in Ha Long city, the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, on August 3.

The fight against destroyer USS Maddox and aircraft of the United States on August 2 and 5, 1964, was the first victory of the Vietnam People’s Navy and the army and people in the north during the America’s war in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rear Admiral Dinh Gia That, Commissar of the Vietnam People’s Naval Armed Service underlined the historical value of and lesson learned from the incident, saying that the sacrifice of naval officers and soldiers is always a good example for Vietnamese generations at present and in the future.

He also affirmed that the Naval Armed Service will continue strengthening its force as well as improving its capacity in managing and safeguarding the national sea and island sovereignty, while maintaining peaceful and stable environment in the country’s waters.

The same day, a get-together to mark the 50 th anniversary of the first victory of the Vietnam People’s Navy was also organised in Vinh city, the central province of Nghe An.

Participants at the event looked back on the triumph, which is considered as the traditional day of the Navy over the last five decades.

On the occasion, representatives from the Navy High Command presented insignia to a number of naval ex-soldiers and gifts to people, who participated in the fight.-VNA