The Hanoi City Peace Committee and the Hanoi Buddhist Sangha jointly held an incense offering ceremony on December 21 to commemorate the victims who perished in the 1972 B-52 bombing raids on Hanoi.

Overview of the requiem. Photos: TN

The event took place at the Kham Thien Memorial (Kham Thien Street) and included a requiem for martyrs who valiantly gave their lives in the wars to defend the nation, held at Ba Da Pagoda (Nha Tho Street).

Fifty-two years ago, along with northern provinces and cities, Hanoi  was subjected to relentless aerial bombardment by the US, with the  intention of "bombing Vietnam back to the Stone Age." In 12 days and nights at the end of 1972, areas such as Kham Thien Street, Bach Mai Hospital, An Duong residential area, Yen Vien railway station, and Uy No commune suffered over 80,000 tons of bombs. The devastating destruction left painful memories, serving as evidence of US imperialist crimes.

Delegates at the event.

In response to the enemy's brutal assaults, the Party, government, armed forces, and people of Hanoi transformed their grief into revolutionary action. On the first night of the campaign, December 18, 1972, Vietnamese troops shot down a B-52 "flying fortress," marking the beginning of many victories to come. During the 12-day-and-night campaign, Hanoi's forces shot down 30 enemy aircraft, contributing to the historic victory of "Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the Air." This triumph bolstered the global revolutionary movement against imperialism, inspiring humanity worldwide in its fight for peace, independence, democracy, and social progress.

The people of Hanoi, alongside monks and Buddhists, will forever honor the brave souls who sacrificed their youth, blood and lives for the nation’s independence, freedom, and unity.

The Kham Thien Memorial, a testament to the atrocities inflicted upon innocent civilians, serves as a reminder to cherish and honor the sacrifices of generations who gave their all for today’s peace and stability.

Hoang Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front of Kham Thien Ward and a witness who participated in clearing debris and searching for victims on Kham Thien Street affirmed that the residents of Kham Thien and Hanoi overcame their sorrow and losses to contribute to the historic victory and rebuild their neighborhood and city into what they are today.