Military Region 7 to Excavate Soldiers' Remains from Cambodian Forests to Ho Chi Minh City Park

Military Region 7 is preparing to undertake a significant operation to locate and repatriate the remains of fallen soldiers in Ho Chi Minh City. Major General Tran Chi Tam, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 7, highlighted that the city, a former intense urban battlefield during the 1968 Tet Offensive, is a key focus for the unit's efforts in finding martyrs' remains. He emphasized that this search and collection mission is a matter of honor and a heartfelt command for the armed forces of Military Region 7. Initial investigations have identified three critical areas within Le Van Tam Park, spanning 1,200, 500, and 800 square meters respectively, as potential burial sites. These locations were once part of the Chi Hoa-Cho Quan cemetery but have since been transformed into a public park over nearly 60 years, making the excavation process extremely delicate and requiring meticulous scientific and objective methods to avoid disturbing the area unnecessarily.

Major General Tam outlined a proposed timeline for the excavation, suggesting late June or early July. This timing is contingent on two factors: first, the need for thorough surveys, analysis, and ground-penetrating radar assessments, which are more complex in a dense urban setting compared to rural areas. The analysis phase alone is expected to take seven to ten days after an initial one to three-day survey. Second, the proposed timing aligns with the return of Military Region 7's excavation teams from Cambodia, allowing for a more coordinated and professional operation by combining their expertise with local forces. This phased approach aims to ensure accuracy and respect for the identified burial sites.

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Regarding the timing of the collection, the Steering Committee 515 of Military Region 7 proposed to implement the collection and build the plan for late June or early July for two reasons. First, it requires time for surveying, analysis, assessment, physical and ground-penetrating radar analysis, and stratigraphic analysis. Because this is Ho Chi Minh City, if it were in the forest or fields, we could survey and collect at the same time. But this is the city center, so it requires about 1 to 3 days for surveying, then 7 to 10 days for analysis before building the plan to proceed with the collection. Second, by that time, Military Region 7's collection teams from Cambodia will return home. We want to use these forces combined with the city's forces to carry out the operation more systematically.

Tam also addressed the proliferation of misinformation surrounding the martyrs' remains at Le Van Tam Park. He identified three concerning trends: sensationalist online content designed for views, the use of AI-generated images and clips to create false narratives, and a dangerous narrative suggesting that past regimes buried the soldiers well and that current exhumations are unwarranted. Military authorities are actively working to verify and debunk these false claims, which often necessitate time-consuming investigations by official bodies. The region is committed to conducting this sensitive operation with the utmost care and scientific rigor.

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Currently, there is a lot of false information about the martyrs' remains at Le Van Tam Park. The first trend is to sensationalize the issue, with websites and YouTubers posting to gain views. The second trend uses artificial intelligence to create fake photos and clips, confusing the information. Each time such information appears, authorities must investigate and verify. And the third, which is very dangerous now, is a force, although not large, that claims the old government buried them very well, so why are they being exhumed now.