The Da Nang Liaison Board of the Navy Engineering Veterans Association held a ceremony on Thursday to commemorate 64 martyrs who laid down their lives in the Gac Ma Island battle against the Chinese in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago on 14 March 1988.

War veterans light candles to pay tribute to the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the Gac Ma Island. Photo: LE HUNG

The ceremony was solemnly held to pay tribute to the 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnamese Navy who sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnamese territory, as well as to review the heroic traditions and history of the generations of officers and soldiers of the Viet Nam People's Navy in particular and the Viet Nam People's Army in general.

Among the 64 fallen soldiers in the Gac Ma battle, ten were from Da Nang and one from neighbouring Quang Nam Province.

War veterans and relatives burning incense to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the national sovereignty over the sea and islands. Photo: LE HUNG

In a solemn atmosphere, with infinite respect and gratitude, Navy engineering veterans, delegates and relatives of martyrs offered incense to commemorate the great contributions of Gac Ma heroes and martyrs. Before the heroic spirits of the martyrs, today's generation vowed to continue to promote the nation's heroic revolutionary tradition, and contribute to building the increasingly prosperous and strong country.

On the occasion, the city-based Dong A University donated 10 gifts to the families and relatives of martyrs in the Gac Ma battle from Quang Nam and Da Nang.

Reporting by LE HUNG - Translating by M.DUNG