Authorities are preparing to excavate areas inside Le Thi Rieng Park following evidence suggesting the existence of mass graves containing hundreds of fallen soldiers.
A sprawling eight-hectare park in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City is at the center of an ongoing search for traces of mass burial pits believed to contain soldiers who died during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Le Thi Rieng Park covers approximately eight hectares and is bounded by Cach Mang Thang Tam, Bac Hai and Truong Son streets. It is one of the largest green spaces in central Ho Chi Minh City.Before becoming a public park, the site was home to Chi Hoa Cemetery, also known as Do Thanh Cemetery - one of Saigon’s largest cemeteries before 1975. Following the relocation and reburial of graves, the area was transformed into a park and officially opened in 1988.Part of Do Thanh Cemetery in 1967. Photo: ArchiveIn recent days, Le Thi Rieng Park has drawn widespread attention as the Ho Chi Minh City High Command carries out efforts to verify and search for the remains of fallen soldiers amid suspicions that mass burial pits containing around 900 martyrs may exist within the park grounds. The investigation stems from an archival photograph documenting a mass burial at Do Thanh Cemetery in 1968. Archival photo. Ho Chi Minh City High Command.A cylindrical water tower visible in the historical photograph still stands today along Nguyen Gian Thanh Street. The landmark has helped researchers determine the direction from which the image was taken and narrow down the areas of interest.In late May, witnesses, experts and researchers conducted a field survey at the park. By comparing archival photographs, historical records and witness accounts, authorities initially identified seven locations potentially linked to mass burial pits. Archival photo. Ho Chi Minh City High Command.Three suspected burial trenches are believed to be located near the traditional house. Inside the building, visitors can view a map marking the locations where 24 sets of martyrs’ remains were discovered during previous surveys.
Many people who witnessed the mass burials at Do Thanh Cemetery have provided information to the Ho Chi Minh City High Command.
Speaking with VietNamNet, Nguyen Van Dinh, 75, one of the witnesses who once lived near Do Thanh Cemetery, said he still clearly remembers the area believed to have been used for mass burials. According to him, it was located near the frangipani trees on what is now the left side of the park and extended along a paved road within the grounds.
Dinh recalled that the bodies were initially laid out neatly in rows. However, as the number of casualties increased, trucks continued arriving with more bodies, which were unloaded into the burial area before bulldozers covered them with soil.
“The burials took place over roughly two days,” he said.
The basement of the traditional house preserves numerous photographs and artifacts related to the 1968 Tet Offensive and General Uprising. Adjacent to it stands a memorial stele dedicated to fallen soldiers, where residents and visitors regularly come to burn incense.In 1999, authorities discovered the grave of former Party General Secretary Tran Phu within the park grounds, 68 years after his death. A memorial marker has since been erected at the site.Next to the traditional house stands an unidentified grave that local residents continue to care for and maintain. It serves as the reburial site for several unidentified remains discovered during the construction of the park.Today, Le Thi Rieng Park is a familiar destination for Ho Chi Minh City residents. Its children’s playground, crescent-shaped artificial lake, walking paths and expansive green spaces attract large numbers of visitors for recreation and exercise.The left side of the park features a children’s recreation area equipped with slides, swings and picnic facilities.
The area in front of Le Thi Rieng Park’s main entrance is currently fenced off to facilitate construction of an underground station on Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong).
At a workshop organized by the National Steering Committee 515 on June 8, experts concluded that sufficient scientific and practical evidence exists to continue surveying and searching the area. Preliminary studies suggest that the site may contain collective burial trenches holding a large number of martyrs’ remains.
Ho Chi Minh City is now preparing an excavation plan and is expected to assign Military Region 7’s Steering Committee 515 - responsible for locating, recovering and identifying martyrs’ remains - to begin implementation in late June.
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