The Ho Chi Minh City High Command is launching a search for two mass graves containing soldiers who died during the Tet Offensive battle at Tan Son Nhat airport in 1968. This search is based on newly acquired images, documents, and information, including two photos with captions identifying the burial site of fallen soldiers from the 1968 Tet Offensive within the airport grounds.

During the war, Tan Son Nhat served as a military base for the United States Army and the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. According to the "History of the Southern Resistance 1954-1975", in the early hours of 31/1/1968 (the first day of the Tet Offensive), three liberation army units—Assault Group 6-9, Battalion two of Sub-Region one, and a sapper company—attacked the airport's southern gate on Phi Long Street (now Cong Hoa Street) and the Republic of Vietnam General Staff Headquarters next to the airport (now Hoang Van Thu Street). Many soldiers lost their lives in this battle.

Aerial photo of Tan Son Nhat airport in 1968, when correlated with map data, indicates the location of two bunkers, 49 and 51, behind Gate 51 on National Highway 1 (now Truong Chinh Street). *Archive photo*

Phan Thanh Nam, a historical data researcher, provided the Ho Chi Minh City High Command with numerous images to help pinpoint the mass grave locations. These resources include aerial photos and data from memorial websites and discussion forums for US veterans. One aerial panoramic photo of Tan Son Nhat airport from over 50 years ago reveals the location of watchtower four and two bunkers, 49 and 51, behind Gate 51 of the 25th Infantry Division, a unit stationed near National Highway 1 (now Truong Chinh Street). Another photo shows a bunker also near National Highway 1. When comparing these with an image of a sign marking the burial site of soldiers who died on the second day of the 1968 Tet Offensive, Nam observed many similar characteristics in the background bunker.

According to Nam, these bunkers can serve as reference points for narrowing down the search area. If these structures no longer exist, authorities can compare old maps with current conditions to determine the exact locations.

Nam previously assisted the Ho Chi Minh City High Command in comparing maps across different periods and calculating coordinates to locate a mass grave at Le Thi Rieng Park, using a water tower over 60 years old within the compound of Thanh Buong Church, approximately 300 meters away, as a reference point. "Authorities can apply the experience gained from finding the mass grave at Le Thi Rieng Park to this current search," he said.

A photo of a bunker on a grassy area facing National Highway 1 (now Truong Chinh Street) within Tan Son Nhat airport, taken by a US veteran before 1968. *Archive photo*

A photo of a sign announcing the burial site of fallen soldiers from the 1968 Tet Offensive campaign, showing two similar features: a grassy area and a bunker in the background. *Archive photo*

In fact, over many years, domestic and international historical images and documents have indicated the potential existence of two mass graves at Tan Son Nhat airport for soldiers who died during the first two days of the Tet Offensive. One grave site was partially excavated, and many remains of martyrs were collected in 1995. Subsequently, airport facilities were built in this area, suggesting that the remaining grave site may have been covered.

In 2017, the Ho Chi Minh City High Command organized a search for a mass grave at the airport based on information provided by architect Nguyen Xuan Thang. Authorities discovered many artifacts such as shirts, fabric bags, leather wallets, and bone samples. However, verification results suggested that this area was likely a remnant of the mass grave site excavated in 1995.

According to Thang, in 2017, the available documents and images were insufficient for precise demarcation. With more new documents now available, pinpointing the search location will be more favorable.

Specialized forces excavated and found many artifacts at Tan Son Nhat airport in 2017. *Nguyen Thanh*

Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung, Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City High Command, stated that after one day of appealing for witnesses regarding the two mass graves of martyrs at Tan Son Nhat, many people have contacted to provide information. The unit is currently verifying these details to cross-reference data.

Images of Gate 51's location, near the area shown in the mass grave photo, also provide additional material for specialists to analyze. According to Major General Trung, in the upcoming search plan at Tan Son Nhat airport, the unit will strictly follow the same rigorous process used at Le Thi Rieng Park.

At the aforementioned park, after more than one month of searching based on data, images, and witness accounts, authorities collected 11 remains of martyrs. Ho Chi Minh City is intensifying its efforts to search for, collect, and identify the remains of martyrs as part of the 500-day and night campaign launched by the National Steering Committee, leading up to the 80th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day (27/7/1947 - 27/7/2027).

Dinh Van