HCM City to honour 731 fallen soldiers in memorial and burial ceremonies
VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City will hold memorial and burial ceremonies for the remains of 731 fallen soldiers discovered at Le Thi Rieng Park to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for national independence and reunification.
The ceremonies, to be held on October 14, will follow a special tribute programme, entitled “Night of Gratitude” at Le Thi Rieng Park on the evening of October 13. The following morning, wreath-laying and incense-offering rituals will precede the memorial service, after which the remains will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs Cemetery for burial.
According to the organising committee, the 731 sets of remains comprise 698 individual sets and one collective set containing the remains of 33 soldiers. The burial ceremony marks an important stage in efforts to ensure that those who died for the country are honoured and laid to rest with dignity.
Search efforts at a site with historical significance
Le Thi Rieng Park is more than the venue for the memorial ceremonies. Formerly the site of Do Thanh Cemetery, it became the focus of search and excavation operations in June 2026 as authorities worked to locate the remains of fallen soldiers.
The recovery operation forms part of Vietnam’s nationwide 500-day campaign to accelerate the search for, recovery and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains ahead of the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day in 2027. The campaign seeks to intensify field searches and apply DNA testing and other identification methods to help establish the identities of those who died during past wars.
The recovery of 731 sets of remains at the site underscores the scale of the continuing effort to account for soldiers who never returned home and to ensure that they receive a dignified burial.
Honouring sacrifice and preserving historical memory
The search for and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains have long been a priority for Vietnam’s Party and State, with the Government, the National Assembly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and relevant organisations contributing to the effort.
During a visit to Le Thi Rieng Park on July 17, 2026, ahead of the anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam underscored the sacred responsibility of recovering and identifying fallen soldiers’ remains in recognition of their sacrifices for the Fatherland and the people.
The mission carries profound significance beyond the recovery itself. Each set of remains identified and laid to rest represents an opportunity for families to learn the fate of their loved ones, honour their sacrifice and bring a long period of uncertainty closer to an end. It also reflects Vietnam’s commitment to preserving historical memory and ensuring that the contributions of those who died for national independence and reunification are remembered by future generations.
The memorial and burial ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh City on October 14 will therefore serve not only as an act of remembrance, but also as a reaffirmation of the country’s continuing commitment to bringing fallen soldiers home and honouring their sacrifices.
HCM City plans reburial for fallen soldiers’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park
VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City plans to hold memorial and reburial ceremonies in early October for 632 sets of fallen soldiers’ remains recovered at Le Thi Rieng Park, the site of the former Do Thanh Cemetery.
