Ha Giang: Activities pay tribute to northern border defenders hinh anh 1Former President Truong Tan Sang (front, left) presents gifts to disadvantaged veterans in Ha Giang province (Photo: VNA)

Ha Giang (VNA) – Many activities have been held in the northernmost province of Ha Giang on February 17 and 18 to pay tribute to martyrs and veterans who joined the war defending the northern border four decades ago.

Former President Truong Tan Sang and representatives of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) and the Ha Giang administration offered incense in commemoration of martyrs at the Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery and the memorial 468 in Nam Ngat hamlet of Thanh Thuy commune, Vi Xuyen district – a fierce battlefield in the war that broke out on February 17, 1979 and lasted until 1989.

[Northern border defence war: victory and lessons]

They also attended a ceremony inaugurating 44 houses meant to support disadvantaged veterans in Vi Xuyen district and Ha Giang city.

Each house’s construction was funded with 50 million VND (2,160 USD) by philanthropists and 10 million VND by Ha Giang authorities.

The former President, VRC representatives and provincial officials also visited and presented gifts to 22 veterans in Ha Giang city, along with 100 disadvantaged ethnic minority households in Tung Vai, Ta Van and Cao Ma Po communes of Quan Ba district.-VNA
VNA