On the evening of July 26, the live televised program "Finding Comrades - Bright Stars Leading the Way" was held at 4 locations: Bac Son Monument (Hanoi), Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park (HCMC), Thanh Thuy Commune Martyrs' Memorial Stele (Tuyen Quang) and National Martyrs' Cemetery of Road 9 (Quang Tri).
The television bridge is organized by Vietnam Television in coordination with ministries, agencies, and localities to practically celebrate the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2026), broadcast live on VTV1.
Inspired by the famous poem "Nui Doi" by poet Vu Cao: "You go as a soldier, stars on your hat / Forever bright stars lead the way", the program sends a message about the continuation of tradition, gratitude and responsibility of today's generations to those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
The overarching highlight of the program is "Operation 500 days and nights to promote the search, repatriation and identification of martyrs' remains". More than half a century since the country's reunification, more than 1 million martyrs' remains have been searched, repatriated and buried at cemeteries across the country. However, there are still about 175,000 martyrs' remains that have not been found and nearly 300,000 graves that have not been identified.
The campaign aims to search for and repatriate about 7,000 sets of martyrs' remains; take samples of about 230,000 graves with unidentified information; DNA testing of about 18,000 sets of remains, and at the same time build a gene database of martyr relatives and continue to clear bombs and mines, explosives in key areas to serve the search work.
At the main bridge point located at Le Thi Rieng Park - where the mass grave of officers and soldiers who died in the General Offensive and Uprising of Spring Mau Than 1968 was discovered. The Quang Tri bridge point is organized at the National Martyrs' Cemetery of Road 9, the resting place of nearly 6,000 martyrs, many of whom have not yet been identified. In Tuyen Quang, the stage is set up right on the old battlefield area, where the forces searching for and repatriating martyrs' remains and clearing bombs and mines are still performing their duties day and night. Meanwhile, the Hanoi bridge point at Bac Son Monument shows the determination of the Party, State and the whole society in continuing to implement gratitude work.
The program consists of three parts: "Those Who Never Died", "Command of the Heart - 500 Days and Nights Campaign" and "Returning Names to You". Through the reports, audiences will hear stories about the journey to bring the martyrs back to their families and homeland; the persistent efforts of the search and repatriation forces, bomb and mine disposal officers and scientists who are day and night deciphering DNA, documents and witnesses to identify the martyrs.
Besides touching stories, the program also brings many elaborately staged art performances with songs such as "Melody of the Fatherland", "Red Flower Color", "Sacred Vietnam", "There Was a Time Like That", "Unforgettable Song" and "Continuing the Peace Story".
In particular, in addition to the participation of many famous artists, the program also has the participation of veterans, wounded soldiers, sick soldiers and soldiers who are directly performing the task of clearing bombs and mines, searching for and repatriating martyrs' remains. Historical witnesses will harmonize with the artists on stage, creating an emotional art space, connecting the past with the present.
Through the "Sao Sang Guidanh Duong" television bridge, the Organizing Committee wishes to spread the message of gratitude, arouse the responsibility of each Vietnamese person in maintaining peace, continuing the ideals and living worthy of the sacrifices of previous generations.
