A memorial ceremony for more than 23,400 people who lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic was held simultaneously at 8:00 pm on November 19 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).

Over 1000 attendants and 50 families of those who died of Covid-19 joined the ceremony in HCMC. The main event took place at Reunification Palace in District 1 and a candlelight vigil was held in multiple districts and lanterns were released along Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal at 8:35 pm.

In Hanoi, the main ceremony was organized at Thong Nhat Park with the attendance of around 300 delegates, including the relatives of the deceased.

Speaking at the memorial ceremony, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien expressed his respect and deep condolences to the families of the deceased victims of Covid-19 and prayed for their souls.

“The requiem is aimed at sharing the pain and loss suffered by tens of thousands of families whose dear ones perished due to the pandemic,” Chien said.

"Numerous people lost parents and relatives. Many babies are born without being in the loving arms of their mothers. It's really heartbreaking,'' he shared.

Among those attending the ceremony, Phan Thi Hai Ninh, a 41-year-old resident in HCMC, confided: “My family had six Covid-19 patients during the peak of the pandemic. At that time, everyone was so worried. Fortunately, no one died thanks to the care and encouragement of all members of the family, support of colleagues and neighbors."

"I am really grateful and would like to send my condolences to the families whose dears died from the coronavirus. I would like to convey great gratitude to the families, mothers, wives, and husbands who stood behind the soldiers, doctors, and nurses to support them to go into the epicenter and perform their duty and many people passed away," Ninh added.

Leaders of the Party, State, and those who attended the memorial ceremony took a minute of silence to remember the compatriots and soldiers who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The attendants lit lanterns and candles to pay tribute to the victims.

Religious establishments including pagodas and churches rang their bells at 8:30 pm.

As of November 19, Vietnam has documented more than 23,400 coronavirus-related fatalities nationwide, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has logged over 1,065,000 infections and 881,593 recoveries since the Covid-19 pandemic first hit it early last year.

A large number of people in HCMC attended the memorial ceremony.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a wreath to commemorate the deceased compatriots and soldiers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung lights incense in the memorial ceremony.

Candles were lit in memory of compatriots who died of the pandemic.

Quiet moments when reviewing images of the Covid-19 pandemic.