71st War Invalids and Martyrs Day marked in Laos

Vientiane (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos on July 26 held an incense offering ceremony in commemoration of heroes and martyrs at the Ban Kon Martyrs’ Cemetery in Vientiane province, Laos, on the occasion of 71st  War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

The ceremony was attended by Counselor Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Governor of Vientiane Province Bounsone Phetlavanh, and representatives from the Laos War Veterans' Association and the Vietnamese community in Laos, among others.

Counselor Tung said that the event was to commemorate and pay tribute to both Vietnamese and Lao heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for independence and freedom of the two countries.

It also offered a chance to look back on the tradition of fighting shoulder-to-shoulder against the common enemy in the past and working together in the current nation building and defence of the two countries, the diplomat added.

The two countries’ young generations should uphold the tradition and contribute to maintaining the bilateral time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, Tung stressed.

Veteran Khamphone Chaleonsak said that on this occasion each year, he often visits the Ban Kon Martyrs’ Cemetery and offers incense to commemorate fallen revolutionary soldiers of the two countries.

This is an important historical venue for today’s and tomorrow’s generations to remember contributions by revolutionary soldiers to the two nations, thus understanding more about the Laos-Vietnam combatant alliance, the veteran said.-VNA