Con Dao Prison, a historical relic on Con Dao Island.

The requiem is jointly held by the People’s Committee of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, the Vietnamese Buddhism Association and the Vietnam Television.

The requiem will start at 2pm, April 25, at Hang Duong cemetery and Wharf 914 on Con Dao Island.

Besides the requiem, a special music programme entitled “Con Dao Legend” will take place at the Hang Duong cemetery at 8pm, April 25 and will be aired live on VTV2 and VTV4.

The requiem and the music show will see the presence of Party, state and the government leaders, senior Buddhist monks, overseas Vietnamese and former prisoners of Con Dao Prison.

According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, this is an activity to implement the Foreign Minister’s instruction on cultural diplomacy.

With the participation of representatives of three generations of overseas Vietnamese, the Foreign Ministry hopes to educate the young generation, particularly young overseas Vietnamese, on the history and the sacrifice of the previous generations for the country.

The organising board also hopes to introduce Con Dao Island and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province as historic and tourism sites.

Linh Thu