Soldiers' Remains and Family's Longing: Vietnam's War Memory and Present

In Vietnam, the memories of war remain deeply etched in the hearts of many families, serving as a long-standing wish for the bereaved. Tran Thi Le Thu, whose father, fallen soldier Tran Van Kieu, died 58 years ago, wishes to find his remains and fulfill her mother's long-held desire. Meanwhile, Le Chi Cong continues to wait with his family for the return of his mother, fallen soldier Le Thi Rieng. These individual stories suggest the deep scars left by the Vietnam War, the mourning for lost lives, and the enduring nature of family bonds. Vietnam, while experiencing economic growth under the one-party system led by the Communist Party, continues to be affected by the legacy of the war in various aspects of society. In particular, the management and inheritance of war memories are crucial issues from the perspective of nation-building and national integration. Furthermore, maintaining domestic unity amidst complex relations with China is also a constant consideration for the Vietnamese government. These personal aspirations pose questions about the collective memory of war spread throughout Vietnamese society and how it should be passed on to the future. While efforts to collect and identify remains are being undertaken at the national level, the path ahead is long and arduous. The families' long-standing wishes are not merely personal sorrows but are situated within a broader context concerning national historical recognition and the formation of national identity. Source: The Saigon Times