Numerous Remains and Artifacts Found in Ho Chi Minh City Park, Efforts Underway to Identify Fallen Soldiers

A week-long excavation at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City has yielded over 50 sets of remains and numerous artifacts, including gold rings, fountain pens, and rubber sandals, as authorities intensify efforts to identify fallen soldiers. The remains, discovered in trenches within the park, were often found layered and wrapped in body bags or military tarpaulins, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Command's team for collecting fallen soldiers' remains. Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung, Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command, indicated that the burial methods and recovered artifacts suggest these soldiers may have belonged to the Saigon biệt động (special forces) or infantry units. Among the recovered items are fragments, belts, ropes, shell casings, and cloth bags found within the tarpaulins. Rubber sandals, commonly used by soldiers during marches and operations, and gold-capped teeth were also unearthed. Personal belongings such as oil bottles and keys were also collected. These artifacts are being preserved in specialized bags to mitigate damage and oxidation. Fountain pens were discovered within decaying fabric. The handling and processing of these delicate items are meticulously carried out by the collection team to minimize further deterioration. Each set of remains and associated artifacts are being cataloged and preserved. Previously, AK ammunition belts and personal documents, including mobilization orders, were found in wallets, though most were heavily faded. Currently, only one document bearing the name Huynh Van Quen, etched onto a plastic sheet, has been definitively identified as belonging to soldier Quen of the 1st Battalion, Long An. A family from Xa Vòm Co, Tay Ninh (formerly Long An), has come forward claiming kinship, and the military and Xa Vam Co authorities are proceeding with DNA matching for verification. Specialized teams are responsible for the processing, classification, and preservation of the unearthed artifacts. To date, the operation has collected a total of 50 sets of remains, one mass grave, and a significant quantity of personal effects. On the morning of July 11, Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, visited Le Thi Rieng Park to inspect the remains collection and identification efforts. He lauded the discovery as a highlight of the 500-day campaign aimed at collecting and identifying fallen soldiers' remains, emphasizing the need for dedicated and respectful work. Three trenches within the park are believed to be mass burial sites from the 1968 Tet Offensive, with current efforts focused on Trench No. 1. The plan to collect remains at Le Thi Rieng Park is part of the "500-Day Campaign," running from March 15, 2026, to July 27, 2027. The campaign aims to collect 7,000 sets of remains, collect biological samples from 230,000 anonymous graves, and conduct DNA testing on approximately 18,000 samples.