​Attending were Mr. Nguyen Van Loi - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Delegation of the National Assembly Deputies; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao - Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Van Loc - Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee, Head of Commission for Mass Mobilization of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Ms. Nguyen Truong Nhat Phuong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Vice Chairmen of Provincial People's Committee; leaders of departments, committees, branches, mass organizations of the province, Thu Dau Mot city, and relatives of compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao - Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee speaks at the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Duong province, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao sent the families whose loved ones were unfortunately infected and passed away in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic his deepest condolences to the families and shared the great pain and loss that nothing can make up for.

He emphasized, in Binh Duong, the entire political system, people and enterprises, reinforcement forces as well as the frontline forces inside and outside the province have done all they can, regardless of day or night, making efforts and determination to prevent and gradually repel the pandemic; at the same time, take care as best as possible for the life, health and life of the people, with the motto: "People's lives and health are first, foremost and most important".

Although the entire political system has tried to use all its spirit, strength, money and many measures to take care of the people, due to the complicated, difficult to control and dangerous pandemic situation, more than 23,000 people died nationwide, more than 2,500 cases in Binh Duong alone.

In the days of fierce fighting with pandemic, in the face of life and death, the good tradition of solidarity and mutual love of the Vietnamese people shines through when thousands of officers, soldiers, medical staff, doctors and volunteers across the country have enthusiastically set out to aid Southern provinces to fight the pandemic, including Binh Duong province, with the spirit of "all for the dear South". All those beautiful images and gestures have touched millions of hearts, energized the community, contributed to helping Binh Duong province to basically control the pandemic situation, gradually recover the economy - society, stabilizing people's lives.

"Today, we come here together to offer our compatriots, officers, soldiers, frontline forces who died in the pandemic, the "heart" of incense sticks as the determined promise of those who stay; to continue to unite, determined to maintain the achievements of the fight against pandemic, prevent the pandemic from breaking out again and continue to realize the goal of socio-economic development, helping to improve the material and spiritual life for the people of the country in general and Binh Duong province in particular. With the determination, solidarity and love, we will definitely win the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to express my deepest heart, in memory of the compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during this fierce pandemic" - affirmed the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee.

After the speech of the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the delegates spent minutes of remembrance, burning incense and candles to commemorate the compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At exactly 8:30 p.m. at Hoi An Pagoda (Hoa Phu Ward, Thu Dau Mot City), the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Binh Duong province held a Requiem and lit 2,600 memorial candles with the participation of 100 monks, nuns, and Buddhists. At St. Joseph's Church (Phu My Ward, Thu Dau Mot City), a prayer and memorial bell ringing ceremony took place with the participation of Priests, monks and lay people of the Binh Duong Catholic Solidarity Committee. Many families throughout the province have also turned off their lights, burned incense and lit candles in remembrance of compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here are some photos from the ceremony:

Delegates take a minute in remembrance of compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic

Delegates burn incense in remembrance of compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic

Delegates light candles in remembrance of compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic

Delegates attend the Requiem at Hoi An Pagoda

Delegates burn incense to pray for the compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic

Delegates and the Executive Board, monks, nuns and Buddhists light candles to pray for compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic at Hoi An Pagoda​

2,600 candles are lit

Buddhists pray for compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic

Prayer and memorial bell ringing ceremony with the participation of Priests, monks and lay people of the Binh Duong Catholic Solidarity Committee at St. Joseph's Church

Families turn off the lights, light candles, and burn incense in remembrance of compatriots, officers and soldiers who sacrificed and died during the Covid-19 pandemic

Reported by Mai Xuan - Quoc Chien - Đoan Trang - Yen Nhi​ Translated by Nguyen Trang