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Emotional portrait presentation: thanks for the heroic death of the martyrs
On August 31, 2025, restored portraits of Vietnamese martyrs were handed over to their families to preserve grateful memories.
Emotional portrait presentation: thanks for the heroic death of the martyrs
On August 31, 2025, a momentous event was celebrated in the community of Nguyen Van Linh: the presentation of portraits to living relatives of the martyrs who died resisting French colonialism and American imperialism. A portrait of a martyr was presented to the Vietnamese hero mother Do Thi Ke, a symbolic gesture that embodies the families' willingness to sacrifice for national independence. Many of these families only have faded photos or obituaries of their fallen loved ones, some of whom even have only vague memories.
The restoration and presentation of these portraits is not only a matter of remembrance, but also an act of gratitude. The Provincial Police Women's Association played a central role in this initiative by presenting a total of 50 portraits, including 28 for living Vietnamese hero mothers and 22 for relatives of officers and soldiers. This action is particularly significant in view of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the national holiday on September 2, 2025.
Emotional surrenders and attitudes
The handover of the portraits was accompanied by emotional moments. Dinh Van Hoang, Do Thi Ke's son, said the restored portraits provide comfort and motivation for descendants. Likewise, the portrait of Major Nguyen Dang Khai, who died in the line of duty, was presented to his family, with his sister, Nguyen Thi Xuan, describing the ceremony as an expression of gratitude. In addition to the martyrs already mentioned, the relatives of the martyrs Nguyen Thua The and Nguyen Van Nang also received new portraits.
Nguyen Minh Hieu from the provincial police's logistics department referred to the symbolic importance of the handover for the affected families. At a time when these renewed images bring the stories of their fallen ancestors to life, the community stands in solidarity. Interestingly, the Provincial Police Women's Association, in collaboration with the Skyline Group, has worked extensively on restoring the photographs as well as processing documents to preserve the memories of the martyrs.
The Martyrs of Vietnam
The initiative to restore the portraits ties in with the long history of the martyrs of Vietnam. These 117 Catholic Christians were executed or died as a result of their captivity in the Empire of Vietnam between 1745 and 1862, especially during the persecution of Christians under the Nguyễn emperors. The first Christian missionaries to reach Vietnam in the 16th century encountered hostility from local rulers, leading to brutal persecutions, particularly under Emperor Minh Mạng.
The martyrs are venerated as saints by the Roman Catholic Church and were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988. This selection includes 8 bishops, 50 priests and 59 laypeople who were killed by cruel methods at various stages. This shows not only the deep religious persecution in Vietnamese history, but also the resilience and faith of the people who are revered to this day.
The restoration and presentation of the portraits of martyrs are therefore a profound reminder of the past and a sign of respect to those who fought for national independence and religious freedom. It is a historical link between the past and the present that does justice to the victims and their stories.