72 years later, silently passing with time, there are always people meticulously caring for their eternal sleep, expressing deep gratitude and sending profound appreciation to the heroes who bravely fought, sacrificed, and now rest in the motherland’s soil.

In mid-May, the sun dyes the rows of trees in the martyrs’ cemeteries in Điện Biên golden. On each grave, the fragrant smoke of incense still spreads every day. Amidst that tranquil space, there are always people who have dedicated their whole hearts for many years to caring for every inch of soil and branch of flowers, keeping the resting place of the heroic martyrs always solemn and warm.

For over 30 years, regardless of rain or shine, on the full moon, the first day of the lunar month, or during holidays and Tet, the couple Trần Thị Bảo and Trần Hải Âu (from Residential Group 3, Điện Biên Phủ ward) are still regularly present at the Youth Volunteer Cemetery. Sometimes they clean the graves; other times they carry water to nourish the flower bushes along the path. Each grave is cared for as immaculately as a family member; the incense smoke spreads warmly. The green rows of trees and the vibrant flowers on each grave and throughout the campus are all imbued with their affection over the years. For this work, they have never sought wages or any support regime, because it is a way to silently keep their full affection, like a spiritual incense of gratitude dedicated to the heroes who fell for the Fatherland.

What has kept them here for over three decades is their deep gratitude to those who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. Watching the incense smoke rise in the quiet space, Trần Thị Bảo emotionally shared that for over 30 years, she has regularly gone to the cemetery to care for the graves of the youth volunteer martyrs. They dedicated their entire youth, sacrificing for the land of Điện Biên, and now rest here. Being someone living far from her hometown herself, she deeply understands the feeling of missing home and homeland. She hopes that through her small daily actions, she can contribute to expressing gratitude to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed for national independence.

Their dedication has awakened and spread an undercurrent of compassion to many residents in the residential group. Without being prompted, many female members have voluntarily joined Trần Thị Bảo in going to the cemetery to help clean and care for the grounds. Speaking with deep respect about her neighbor, Triệu Thị Hằng (from Residential Group 3, Điện Biên Phủ ward) shared that for 30 years, Trần Thị Bảo has regularly gone to the cemetery to care for the area and light incense. That action is highly meaningful and deeply respectable.

At the A1 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, where the heroic martyrs are resting after years of fierce fighting on the Điện Biên Phủ battlefield, the cemetery caretakers still quietly perform their work every day. From early morning, the clacking sound of bamboo brooms on the paths and the silent footsteps have become familiar, endearing sounds to the people living in this sacred space.

With more than 20 years attached to the cemetery caretaker job at the A1 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, every early morning, Nguyễn Thị Miến diligently cares for the entire grounds, cleans each grave, and tidies the monument area to prepare to welcome domestic and international delegations coming to visit. For Nguyễn Thị Miến, keeping their resting place always neat and warm with incense smoke is also a way to somewhat soothe the pain of loss for the martyrs’ families. She shared that their work is silent but very sacred. Thinking of the sacrifices of the heroic martyrs so the country can have peace like today, everyone reminds themselves to do better and be more responsible.

Not only the relatives of the martyrs, but many tourists coming to Điện Biên are deeply moved by the thoughtful and complete care at the cemeteries. Joining the stream of people going to Điện Biên on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, Bùi Văn Bình, a tourist from Hà Nội, expressed that witnessing the solemn space at the A1 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, they were very moved. The graves and the monument area are all thoughtfully cared for. That shows the gratitude and appreciation of the cemetery caretakers for the brave sacrifices of the heroic martyrs here.

Party committees, local authorities, armed forces, and a large number of officials and people in the area also actively participate in cleaning, tidying the grounds, and lighting incense in tribute to the heroic martyrs. On holidays, Tet, major national anniversaries, or the annual Invalids and Martyrs’ Day on July 27, many working delegations, youth union members, students, and residents return to the cemetery to offer incense and care for the graves. This contributes to keeping the space here always solemn, clean, and beautiful, becoming a symbol of the “when drinking water, remember its source” ethic on the historical land of Điện Biên.

The May sun still pours gold on the rows of trees. In the martyrs’ cemeteries, the fragrant incense smoke still spreads, like a thread connecting the past with the present. Amidst the peaceful pace of life, the gratitude to the heroic martyrs who bravely fought and sacrificed on the heroic land of Điện Biên will forever be preserved, continued, and never forgotten.