President Sang pays tribute to Phu Quoc prisoners

State President Truong Tan Sang visits veterans in Kien Giang Province yesterday. - VNA/VNS Photo

KIEN GIANG (VNS)- President Truong Tan Sang attended a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the return of imprisoned revolutionaries from Phu Quoc Island along with some 1,900 former prisoners held in Kien Giang province during the American War yesterday.

Sang, himself a former Phu Quoc prisoner, recalled memories of the communist prisoners from 40 years ago.

He emphasised that the prisoners, who were around 20 years old at that time, had demonstrated strong spirit and were ready to sacrifice themselves for the country.

From 1967 to 1973, Phu Quoc prison detained nearly 40,000 revolutionaries who overcame all instances of torture with a strong resolve.

Sang asked authorities of all levels, organisations and individuals to pay more attention to and continue assisting the former prisoners.

On Wednesday, Sang visited Phu Quoc Martyrs' cemetery, which houses the tombs of more than 3,700 martyr heroes from across the country who sacrificed their lives for the fatherland in the two wars against French colonialists and US imperialists. - VNS