Even though they did not directly fight on this battlefield, many veterans who visited the A1 Martyrs Cemetery (Dien Bien Phu City, Dien Bien Province) had special emotions, like reliving the heroic moments of the entire Vietnamese nation.
A1 Martyrs Cemetery was built in 1958 next to Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Muong Thanh Ward, Dien Bien Phu City. It is one of three national cemeteries in Dien Bien Province, renovated and upgraded on September 2, 1993, into a historical and cultural project - a park cemetery with an area of more than 32,000 square metres. |
There are 644 graves of military officers and soldiers who sacrificed heroically in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Most of the graves are anonymous, with only four having the names of heroic martyrs: To Vinh Dien, Phan Dinh Giot, Be Van Dan, and Tran Can. |
The main gate of the cemetery is designed in the style of an ancient citadel. The cemetery's memorial house is built in an A-shaped structure, and at the top of the memorial in the centre is a large star, with 644 small stars below, symbolising the 644 fallen heroic martyrs who are resting in peace. |
Every year, on holidays and Tet, especially on events marking the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7) and the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27), many relatives and children of martyrs return to the cemetery to pay respect to the heroic spirits of heroes and martyrs at A1 Martyrs Cemetery. |
Nguyen Van Doi, 75 years old, a veteran from Hai Duong Province who participated in the battlefield at Quang Tri Citadel, expressed his respect for the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed for the fatherland. |
Offering incense to commemorate the heroes and martyrs, the veterans were filled with emotion as they looked back at the past, the glorious history of their predecessors. |
Many people come to A1 Martyrs Cemetery as if they were coming to a spiritual tourist destination. |
Since its construction, the cemetery has always been looked after, cared for, and protected. Every day, A1 Martyrs Cemetery is open from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm to welcome domestic and international tourists. |
The A1 Martyrs Cemetery serves as a historical witness, reminding young generations today and tomorrow to always follow the example and remember the merits of the fallen heroes and the revolutionary traditions of their fathers to strive to work and study to build a rich and beautiful homeland. |