Preparatory work began in late May, when experts launched an extensive survey to locate suspected mass graves. Researchers combined historical aerial photographs from 1969 with satellite imagery from 2002 and 2024, using advanced technologies to pinpoint potential burial sites.
By cross-referencing historical records, field surveys, and eyewitness accounts, the research team concluded that three burial trenches within the park may contain the remains of around 900 fallen soldiers.
Architect Nguyen Xuan Thang of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs provided the search team historical documents and research papers on mass graves in the park.
Thang said: "At first, we only had aerial photographs showing burial trenches. Later, we found wider images that allowed us to identify their location within the park. We then applied multiple scientific methods to determine the exact position of the burial sites with only a very small margin of error."
Initial excavations in late June uncovered several sets of human remains. Three were found largely intact. One of them has already been identified as Huynh Van Quen, a liberation soldier from Battalion 1 who served in Long An province. In early July, search teams discovered two additional sets of remains wrapped in military tarpaulins. Authorities are continuing efforts to verify their identities.
At the site, investigators also recovered a number of personal belongings and military gears, including three ammunition boxes, bullets, a comb, a hand saw, and faded documents. These findings are expected to provide valuable clues as the search continues.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, who heads the National Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Martyrs' Remains, known as National Steering Committee 515, said: "We have taken another important step in locating the mass graves of martyrs who still rest beneath Ho Chi Minh City. Graves with clearly identifiable information will be handled first, while those that remain uncertain will continue to be located and verified through a systematic and scientific process. We believe that the shared commitment of the entire political system and society will unite more heroes with their families, their hometowns, and their comrades."
The search at Le Thi Rieng Park is part of a nationwide 500-day campaign to search for, recover, and identify the remains of fallen soldiers. The initiative commemorates the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27, 2027, aiming to recover 7,000 sets of remains and identify 18,000 DNA samples from previously recovered martyrs.
