Addressing the event, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Tran Thanh Hai said the Gac Ma memorial site is a symbol of patriotism, the resilient spirit of the army and people of Vietnam as well as the national solidarity in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.He expressed deep gratitude to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, war invalids and families of martyrs and revolutionary contributors.Construction work on the memorial site started in March 2015. The highlight of the site is a monument featuring the naval soldiers holding hands in an “eternal circle” to safeguard the national flag symbolising the national sovereignty on Gac Ma island. The battle happened on March 14, 1988.The work was built with money contributed by workers and public servants nationwide through trade union organisations under a programme launched by the VGCL.On the occasion, the VGCL also received 20 billion VND (880,200 USD) from trade unions across the nation for the second phase construction of the area and a memorial site for Hoang Sa soldiers in Ly Son island of the central province of Quang Ngai.The VGCL also presented gifts worth 30 million VND (1,320 USD) to 11 families of fallen soldiers.