War Invalids and Martyrs Day is an important holiday held annually on July 27 in Vietnam to commemorate and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and the wounded and sick soldiers who bravely fought to protect the Fatherland. This is an opportunity for the entire Party, people, and army to express their deep gratitude to those who sacrificed their blood and bones for the revolutionary cause, and at the same time demonstrate the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source, when eating fruit, remember the person who planted the tree".

History of formation:

The August Revolution in 1945 succeeded,  the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) was born not long ago when the French colonialists returned to invade our country once again. With an indomitable spirit, determined to protect the fruits of the revolution, and maintain the independence of the Fatherland, our army and people fought bravely against the invaders. In the early years of the fierce resistance war against French colonialism, many compatriots and soldiers sacrificed their lives and devoted their blood and strength on the battlefields. Imbued with the traditional morality of “When drinking water, remember its source”, “Repaying gratitude” of the nation and deeply understanding the value of the great sacrifices and contributions of heroic martyrs and wounded soldiers to the country, the Party, the Government, Uncle Ho and our people devoted all their love to the soldiers and compatriots who were injured or sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

In early 1946, the Association for Helping Victims of War was established in Thuan Hoa (Binh Tri Thien), then in Hanoi and some other localities, and shortly after that it was changed to the Association for Helping Injured Soldiers. At the Central level, there was the General Association and President Ho Chi Minh was elected as the Honorary President of the Association.

On the afternoon of May 28, 1946, at the Hanoi Opera House, the General Association for Victims of War held an important talk to call on people to join the Association and enthusiastically help wounded soldiers according to their families' conditions. President Ho Chi Minh attended.

After that, many programs to raise funds and support soldiers were launched, most notably the "Winter Soldiers" campaign. At the initiative of President Ho Chi Minh, the Mobilization Committee met to launch the movement to sew protective clothing for soldiers. On the afternoon of November 17, 1946, at the Hanoi Opera House, the Vietnam National Union organized the "Winter Soldiers" volunteer ceremony, opening the "Winter Soldiers" campaign nationwide to help soldiers in the cold winter with the presence of President Ho Chi Minh and members of the Government. Right at the ceremony, he took off the sweater he was wearing to give to the soldiers.

When the national resistance war broke out, on December 19, 1946, following President Ho Chi Minh's call for national resistance, the people of the whole country rose up to fight with the spirit of "Determination to die for the Fatherland, determination to live". The number of wounded and sacrificed in combat increased, the lives of soldiers, especially wounded soldiers, faced many difficulties and deprivation. In the face of this situation, our Party and State issued important policies on the work of war invalids and martyrs, contributing to stabilizing the material and spiritual life of war invalids and martyrs' families. In June 1947, representatives of the Viet Minh General Department, the Central Women's Association for National Salvation, the Central Youth Union for National Salvation, the Political Department of the Vietnam National Army, the Information and Propaganda Department and a number of localities met in Dai Tu (Bac Thai) to discuss the work of war invalids and martyrs and to implement President Ho Chi Minh's Directive on choosing a day as War Invalids and Martyrs Day. At this meeting, the delegates unanimously chose July 27 as the “National War Invalids Day”.

After the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, according to Directive 223/CT-TW, dated July 8, 1975 of the Central Party Secretariat, since 1975, July 27 has officially become the “War Invalids and Martyrs Day” of the whole country.

Gratitude activities:

• Incense offering: Incense offering activities are held at martyrs’ cemeteries, temples, and memorials across the country.

• Visiting and giving gifts: Party committees, local authorities, departments, branches, organizations and people regularly visit and give gifts to war invalids, sick soldiers, families of martyrs and people with meritorious services to the revolution.
• Organizing cultural and artistic activities: Cultural and artistic activities are organized to praise the great contributor
• Support and care for war invalids and sick soldiers: Policies to support and care for war invalids and sick soldiers are given attention and implemented well so that they can have a stable life.

War Invalids and Martyrs Day is an important holiday, expressing the deep gratitude of the entire Party, people and army to those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. Every Vietnamese citizen needs to remember and show gratitude to the heroic martyrs, war invalids and sick soldiers with practical actions, contributing to building an increasingly prosperous country.