Hanoi Donates Restored Portraits to Families of Fallen Soldiers, Honoring Memory

On the evening of July 25, at Mai Dich National Cemetery in Hanoi, the Hanoi City Fatherland Front Committee and the Hanoi City Youth Union jointly organized a candle-lighting ceremony to honor heroes and fallen soldiers, marking the 79th anniversary of Vietnam's War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27). Comrade Tran Duc Thang, Member of the Politburo and Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee, attended the ceremony. As part of an initiative to restore portraits of the deceased using modern technology, 130 restored images were presented to the families of fallen soldiers. This project aims to preserve the memories of soldiers who sacrificed in past wars and connect contemporary youth with the families of martyrs. The restored portraits are expected to evoke lost memories of the past and serve as a bridge connecting the present with the past. Under its one-party system, Vietnam has consistently positioned the memory of past wars as a crucial element for national unity. War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, in particular, is a significant occasion for the state to express gratitude and respect to soldiers who died for the country. This act of presenting restored portraits is not merely a form of commemoration but also part of ongoing efforts to prevent war memories from fading and to convey the value of peace to future generations. While Vietnam continues its economic growth, the scars of past wars remain deeply embedded in society. Such memory-preservation activities are expected to foster patriotism among citizens and strengthen the overall sense of solidarity within society. For families who may not have had surviving photographs or whose existing ones were damaged, these restored images offer a precious opportunity to vividly recall the likenesses of their lost loved ones.