US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink offers incense in tribute of Vietnamese martyrs (Photo: Quoc Nam/tuoitreonline)

Daniel Kritenbrink on Tuesday afternoon paid a 30-minute tribute to more than 10,000  fallen soldiers laid to rest at Truong Son National Cemetery in the central province of Quang Tri. He and Vice Chairman of Quang Tri People’s Committee Hoang Nam began the ceremony with bell tolling. Then they observed one minute of silence and burned incense on each grave.  

Ambassador Kritenbrink shakes hands with Vice Chairman of Quang Tri provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam on  the historic Hien Luong Bridge across Ben Hai River, which divided North and South Vietnam during war (Photo: Quoc Nam/tuoitreonline)

Before leaving Quang Tri, Ambassador Kritenbrink visited and walked along the Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, which divided North and South Vietnam during war.  The US Ambassador told Tuoi Tre Online newspaper that his visit sends a message that Vietnam and the US have healed the wounds of war and are working together to address the war legacy. He visited Truong Son cemetery to pay respect to those who died for patriotism, Mr. Kritenbrink said.