Why Tens of Thousands of Belongings of 'Đi B' Cadres Over 50 Years Remain Undelivered?

More than half a century after the end of the Vietnam War, tens of thousands of personal belongings of 'đi B' cadres—those dispatched to South Vietnam—including gold and savings books, remain in storage at the National Archives III, with their return to their families yet to be facilitated. This situation has come to light as an investigation into why these mementos have not reached their owners gains momentum, sparked by a child's accidental discovery of their father's file. 'Đi B' refers to soldiers and cadres sent to South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese government during the war. They served away from their families for extended periods, often under arduous conditions. It is believed that the belongings of returning soldiers, or those who died or went missing in action, were collected at the National Archives due to the socio-political circumstances and record-keeping systems of the time. However, the return process has stalled due to a combination of complex procedures, deficiencies in personal information records, and possibly insufficient information on the part of the bereaved families. The Vietnamese Communist Party promotes policies that honor war victims and heroes, commemorating their contributions. However, this issue of undelivered belongings highlights challenges the nation faces in dealing with its war legacy. For families seeking to reconnect with lost relatives, these items are not mere objects but precious links to their deceased loved ones. To address their earnest pleas, the government is urged to establish more prompt and efficient return procedures. This matter prompts a re-examination of the memory of war in Vietnamese society and its contemporary impact. While Vietnam continues to grow economically with its war scars healing, efforts to confront its past and uphold the dignity of each citizen must persist.