Ho Chi Minh City is expanding cooperation with American researchers and archival institutions as part of ongoing efforts to locate, recover and identify the remains of Vietnamese soldiers still missing from wartime conflicts.
On June 18, the city's Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Fallen Soldiers' Remains met with experts involved in the Vietnamese Wartime Missing Persons Initiative at Texas Tech University in the United States to exchange information and archival materials that may support recovery efforts.
Narrowing down potential mass burial sites
At the meeting, Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung, Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command and Deputy Head of the city's Steering Committee 515, said authorities have spent considerable time comparing historical maps, aerial imagery and archival records from different periods.
Investigators have also interviewed witnesses who were present in the area of the former Do Thanh Cemetery, now known as Le Thi Rieng Park.
These efforts have helped identify several locations that may be linked to the burial of military personnel sacrificed during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung speaks at the meeting. Photo: T.D.
However, Trung acknowledged that verification remains challenging.
"We hope our partners will continue supporting efforts to retrieve and share relevant materials, especially military records, archives from the former Republic of Vietnam, information from US and Australian veterans, and accounts from witnesses who either participated in or observed these events," he said. "The more information that can be cross-referenced from different sources, the greater the chances of accurately identifying locations and conducting effective search operations."
Stephen F. Maxner, director of the Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive (VNCA), said the institution stands ready to provide data from its extensive archival collections to assist the city.
According to Maxner, the archive is broadly divided into intelligence records and battlefield documentation.
The battlefield records contain information particularly relevant to recovery efforts, including initial burial locations, lists of missing military personnel, casualty reports and, in some cases, personal letters, commendations and other items recovered during military operations.
"When materials from different sides are collected, compared and verified, the likelihood of discovering new leads increases significantly, helping support Vietnam's efforts to locate and recover the remains of fallen soldiers," Maxner said.
Stephen F. Maxner, Director of the Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, addresses the meeting. Photo: T.D.
Cross-referencing archives to uncover new leads
Approximately 40 researchers and collaborators are currently involved in analyzing and comparing records held by the archive. Findings will be translated into practical guidance to assist local authorities in narrowing search areas and organizing field operations.
Alex Thai Dinh Vo, also of the VNCA, said the available materials extend far beyond military reports.
The collections include letters, wartime diaries, personal notes and documents preserved after the conflict, many of which contain detailed references to battlefield terrain and burial locations.
According to Vo, meaningful leads often emerge only after information from multiple sources is compared and verified.
Once details are cross-checked with US veterans and other relevant parties, the information is shared with Vietnamese authorities for further verification and possible use in recovery operations.
Researchers discuss archival records and documents that may provide clues to wartime burial sites. Photo: T.D.
Representatives from the archive also noted that the current stage of cooperation is particularly timely as Ho Chi Minh City's administrative boundaries have expanded, allowing search efforts to cover additional areas where major battles took place.
Locations receiving special attention include the Go May intersection area, now part of Binh Tan Ward, Binh Loi Bridge and several other sites associated with fierce fighting during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Concluding the meeting, Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung praised the value of the archival materials, describing them as an important resource for future search and recovery operations.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular information exchanges and pursue long-term cooperation. A specialized workshop is expected to be held in early July, bringing together researchers, veterans, historical witnesses and government agencies from both countries to expand the pool of information available for ongoing recovery efforts.
Vietnamnet.vn
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