On February 18 (the 2nd day of Tet), many families took advantage of the first days of the new year to come together to the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Area (Cam Lam commune, Khanh Hoa province) to express their gratitude to the heroic martyrs who fell in the naval battle to protect Gac Ma Island, belonging to the Truong Sa archipelago, March 14, 1988.
Visiting the memorial area, Nguyen Bao Ngoc - a high school student in Cam Lam commune - emotionally shared his pride in being directly standing in front of the memorial to the soldiers.
Coming here, I understand more about the sacrifices of the brothers for today's peace and independence. We deeply appreciate that sacrifice so that future generations can live in peace and happiness" - Nguyen Bao Ngoc said.
Also on the 2nd day of Tet, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu (36 years old, primary school teacher in Suoi Hiep commune) and her husband brought their two young children, 6 years old and 2 years old, to offer incense after returning to their parents' house to wish Tet.
Maybe the children do not fully understand the meaning of the March 14, 1988 event or the memorial area, but I want them from a young age to gradually feel the indomitable and courageous spirit of the Navy soldiers who fell for the Fatherland's sea and islands" - Ms. Thu shared.
At about 4 pm on the same day, the number of people flocking to the memorial area became even larger. Many delegations lined up neatly in front of the monument, the solemn atmosphere mixed with pride and emotion.
The memorial area is built on an area of more than 25,000 m2, in Cam Lam commune, Khanh Hoa province, to commemorate 64 Vietnamese Navy soldiers who sacrificed in the event on March 14, 1988.
The highlight of the project is the 15.15m high statue "Those Who Rest at the Horizon", recreating the image of 64 soldiers holding hands to protect the national flag amidst the bullets, showing the steadfast will and indomitable spirit of the nation.
Below the monument is an underground display area designed in the shape of the "Immortal Circle", symbolizing the sacred cohesion of the fallen soldiers.
This space displays 64 flowers symbolizing 64 heroic martyrs, along with many artifacts and valuable historical documents about the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and the Gac Ma event.
Near the memorial area is the Gio Tomb area - where the names of 64 soldiers who sacrificed but whose remains were not found are recorded. On the stone steles, each person's name is engraved, each line of text as if reminding today's and future generations of a tragic period in the nation's history of national defense.
According to the Management Board of Gac Ma Soldiers' Memorial Area, in 2025, this place welcomed more than 600 delegations with over 41,000 visitors to offer incense and visit. 15 units organized the ceremony to admit 38 new party members and commend 45 outstanding union members, youth, and workers at the memorial area.
