An emotional journey to the roots: The Center for Information, Library and Museum at the Gac Ma Soldier Memorial Site – Summer 2025
As part of the 2025 summer study and sightseeing program, on July 18 and 19, 2025, the collective staff, faculty, and family members of the Center for Information, Library and Museum (CILM) – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNUHCM, embarked on a sacred and moving journey to the Gac Ma Soldier Memorial Site (Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa).
Amidst the sweltering July heat of Central Vietnam, every step toward Gac Ma was heavy with emotion—as if retracing the footsteps of the soldiers of the past, those who fell to defend the nation's sacred sovereignty at the front lines of the waves. In a solemn atmosphere, the group bowed in remembrance and gratitude to the martyrs who rest forever in the heart of the motherly sea.
As the delegation stood before the monument "Those Who Remained at the Horizon," time seemed to stand still. Amidst the drifting clouds of incense, the staff and their families offered flowers, lit incense sticks, and observed a minute of silence to commemorate the 64 soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy who heroically sacrificed their lives in the Gac Ma event on March 14, 1988.
In the presence of the heroic martyrs' spirits, everyone was deeply moved—for that sacrifice was not merely a loss, but an immortal symbol of courage, patriotism, and the responsibility to protect every inch of the Fatherland’s land, sky, and sea.
Listening to History – Nurturing Patriotism Through Silent Stories.
At the memorial's exhibition area, the delegation listened to the guide's presentation on Vietnam's sea and island sovereignty, specifically the details of the Gac Ma event—one of the most tragic yet heroic chapters in the history of the Vietnam People's Navy. The artifacts, national flags, photographs, and final letters seemed to transport everyone back to the past—where young soldiers held hands in a circle to protect the red flag with a gold star amidst the open sea, facing the aggressive gunfire of the enemy.
Connecting Generations – Igniting the Tradition of "When Drinking Water, Remember the Source"
The trip was not only an occasion for gratitude but also a precious opportunity for different generations within families and the collective to sit together, listen, and reflect. In particular, the children—the country's future generation—learned a profound lesson beyond textbooks: a lesson about gratitude, history, and the responsibility of today's youth.
In that moment, the value of the trip transcended mere "sightseeing" and became a journey to nurture the national spirit, spread pride, and awaken the responsibility within each individual: to live worthily of the sacrifices made by our ancestors.
Gac Ma – Not Just a Destination, but a Source of Deep Reflection
The Center's visit to the Gac Ma Soldier Memorial Site was more than just a meaningful summer activity; it was a symbol of tribute—a place to evoke patriotism, forge national pride, and cultivate the consciousness of preserving the Fatherland's sacred sovereignty in everyone's heart.
