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In Pictures: 500 days and nights racing against time through sun and rain in the heart of the city

Under the scorching sun and sudden downpours of Ho Chi Minh City, members of the teams searching for and recovering fallen soldiers’ remains continue to work tirelessly on site, painstakingly removing layer after layer of soil and carefully recovering the remains of martyrs buried three metres beneath the ground.

Military Region 7, together with the entire political system, has demonstrated unwavering determination in implementing the large-scale recovery of fallen soldiers’ remains. The K74 Team for the Search and Recovery of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains, under the Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and supporting teams regard this mission as both an order and a call from the heart, as well as a profound tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Military Region 7, together with the entire political system, has demonstrated unwavering determination in implementing the large-scale recovery of fallen soldiers’ remains. The K74 Team for the Search and Recovery of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains, under the Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and supporting teams regard this mission as both an order and a call from the heart, as well as a profound tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
As of August 5, recovery teams had brought 209 sets of fallen soldiers’ remains to the surface after 43 consecutive days of searching at Le Thi Rieng Park. The recovered remains comprise 183 individual sets and 26 sets found within six communal burial trenches, accurately identified across two key search zones - two locations in Area A and four in Area B.
As of August 5, recovery teams had brought 209 sets of fallen soldiers’ remains to the surface after 43 consecutive days of searching at Le Thi Rieng Park. The recovered remains comprise 183 individual sets and 26 sets found within six communal burial trenches, accurately identified across two key search zones - two locations in Area A and four in Area B.
Leaders at all levels have maintained close oversight of field operations, providing timely direction for personnel carrying out the mission. While inspecting the search efforts on site, Major General Tran Chi Tam, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 7 and Head of the Military Region’s Steering Committee 515, stressed that there could be no delay in this race against time, as information relating to fallen soldiers continues to disappear with the passing years.
Leaders at all levels have maintained close oversight of field operations, providing timely direction for personnel carrying out the mission. While inspecting the search efforts on site, Major General Tran Chi Tam, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 7 and Head of the Military Region’s Steering Committee 515, stressed that there could be no delay in this race against time, as information relating to fallen soldiers continues to disappear with the passing years.
After deploying five ground-penetrating radar systems from various units to survey Le Thi Rieng Park for traces of communal graves, search teams used excavators to uncover locations showing possible signs of human remains.
After deploying five ground-penetrating radar systems from various units to survey Le Thi Rieng Park for traces of communal graves, search teams used excavators to uncover locations showing possible signs of human remains.
Major General Tran Chi Tam discusses research documents with architect Nguyen Xuan Thang and his team of experts.
Major General Tran Chi Tam discusses research documents with architect Nguyen Xuan Thang and his team of experts.
The communal graves remain buried deep beneath the earth, while the remains of the fallen continue to await the day they can be returned to their families.
The communal graves remain buried deep beneath the earth, while the remains of the fallen continue to await the day they can be returned to their families.
Search teams face significant challenges because the urban landscape has changed dramatically over the past 60 years. Identifying burial sites requires a combination of historical records and the most effective modern survey techniques.
Search teams face significant challenges because the urban landscape has changed dramatically over the past 60 years. Identifying burial sites requires a combination of historical records and the most effective modern survey techniques.
The rapid transformation of urban infrastructure has made the search process considerably more difficult.
The rapid transformation of urban infrastructure has made the search process considerably more difficult.
Advanced radar technology has been deployed to scan deep underground for unusual geological signals. Nevertheless, human expertise remains the decisive factor.
Advanced radar technology has been deployed to scan deep underground for unusual geological signals. Nevertheless, human expertise remains the decisive factor.
The search teams make use of every available hour to meet elderly witnesses whose memories are gradually fading with age. Once this generation of historical witnesses is gone, information about burial locations and the places where the nation's heroes fell could be lost forever. A single eyewitness can often provide vital geographical clues that technology alone cannot confirm.
The search teams make use of every available hour to meet elderly witnesses whose memories are gradually fading with age. Once this generation of historical witnesses is gone, information about burial locations and the places where the nation's heroes fell could be lost forever. A single eyewitness can often provide vital geographical clues that technology alone cannot confirm.
Even under intense summer heat, the soldiers remain steadfast at their posts. The spirit of remembering those who came before serves as their greatest source of strength in overcoming the harsh conditions.
Even under intense summer heat, the soldiers remain steadfast at their posts. The spirit of remembering those who came before serves as their greatest source of strength in overcoming the harsh conditions.
When sudden heavy rain falls, the teams carefully cover excavation sites to protect areas suspected of containing human remains.
When sudden heavy rain falls, the teams carefully cover excavation sites to protect areas suspected of containing human remains.
Mud and rainwater cannot deter the soldiers carrying out this sacred mission.
Mud and rainwater cannot deter the soldiers carrying out this sacred mission.
At sites where remains are suspected, excavators cannot be used. Instead, the teams excavate by hand to preserve the integrity of the remains. Every stroke of the hoe and shovel is carried out with the utmost care and concentration.
At sites where remains are suspected, excavators cannot be used. Instead, the teams excavate by hand to preserve the integrity of the remains. Every stroke of the hoe and shovel is carried out with the utmost care and concentration.
Once they reach layers of soil indicating the possible presence of remains, the soldiers use small trowels and gloved hands to remove the soil meticulously, one layer at a time.
Once they reach layers of soil indicating the possible presence of remains, the soldiers use small trowels and gloved hands to remove the soil meticulously, one layer at a time.
A pair of sandals was recovered after lying buried beneath multiple layers of soil for nearly 60 years.
A pair of sandals was recovered after lying buried beneath multiple layers of soil for nearly 60 years.
DNA samples are collected in strict accordance with procedures established by the National Steering Committee, with the ultimate aim of restoring the identities of the nation's heroes after decades of uncertainty.
DNA samples are collected in strict accordance with procedures established by the National Steering Committee, with the ultimate aim of restoring the identities of the nation's heroes after decades of uncertainty.
The soldiers struggle to contain their emotions when communal burial pits are uncovered.
The soldiers struggle to contain their emotions when communal burial pits are uncovered.
Members of the recovery teams handle every fragment of personal belongings and every piece of recovered remains with the greatest care, recognising that each item may provide crucial evidence in identifying fallen soldiers whose identities remain unknown.
Members of the recovery teams handle every fragment of personal belongings and every piece of recovered remains with the greatest care, recognising that each item may provide crucial evidence in identifying fallen soldiers whose identities remain unknown.
The recovery team prepares to excavate another site showing signs that human remains may be present.
The recovery team prepares to excavate another site showing signs that human remains may be present.
Trade unions, veterans' associations, youth organisations and families of fallen soldiers from across the country have travelled to the site to offer incense in tribute.
Trade unions, veterans' associations, youth organisations and families of fallen soldiers from across the country have travelled to the site to offer incense in tribute.
Every hero who sacrificed his life for the peace of the nation is remembered with profound gratitude by people throughout the country.
Every hero who sacrificed his life for the peace of the nation is remembered with profound gratitude by people throughout the country.
Thousands of organisations and individuals from across Viet Nam have visited the site to pay tribute and honour the fallen.
Thousands of organisations and individuals from across Viet Nam have visited the site to pay tribute and honour the fallen.
With the determined involvement of the entire political system, the 500-Day Campaign for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains has generated a powerful wave of public support and solidarity across society.
With the determined involvement of the entire political system, the 500-Day Campaign for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains has generated a powerful wave of public support and solidarity across society.
NDO

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