An arts programme entitled ‘Bien Goi’ (The Call of the Sea) took place at Da Nang’s Truong Vuong Theatre on Tuesday evening.

Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri (2nd, right) presenting flowers to invited guests

The event was jointly organised by the theatre, the Da Nang Radio and Television, the municipal War Veterans' Association, the Youth Union, and the Liaison Committee for the Truong Sa Archipelago's ex-soldiers who joined the army between 1984 and 1988.  It aimed to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the national sovereignty over its sea and islands.

On 14 March 1988, a total of 64 soldiers laid down their lives in the Gac Ma Island battle in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.  Although 30 years have passed, the majestic stories of the martyrs still stay deep in the minds war veterans.

Invited guests at the event were the former Deputy Commander cum Chief of Staff of Engineering Regiment 83 (E83), Colonel Tran Dinh Dan from Nghe An, along with the platoon leader of E83’s 9^th company, Lieutenant Nguyen Van Chuong from Dak Lak Province, and war veteran Truong Minh Hien from Lam Dong Province.  The guests shared their unforgettable moments whilst they were on duty on the Gac Ma Island.

Also at the event, the organisers and the sponsor - the Risemount Resort Danang presented gifts, worth 1 million VND each, to relatives of 10 martyrs in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province.  In addition, a bank savings book of 50 million VND was given to each of war veteran Nguyen Van Luc from Quang Binh Province’s Bo Trach District, and Mrs Pham Thi Ninh who is the wife of martyr Phan Huy Son from Nghe An Province’s Dien Chau District.

On 15 July last year, a ceremony took place in Cam Hai Dong Commune in Khanh Hoa Province’s Cam Lam District to inaugurate the 1st phase of the memorial complex dedicated to Gac Ma soldiers.

The site aims to commemorate the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation.  Covering an area of 2.5 ha, the complex includes a monument, an exhibition house for artifacts, and a system of green trees.