The memorial ceremony at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) is taking place as authorities actively search for and collect martyrs' remains within the park grounds. A recent workshop on 8/6 to verify information about graves revealed that a research group from the Operations Department, General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (Bo Tong tham muu Quan doi nhan dan Viet Nam), identified three mass graves. These are believed to contain the remains of about 900 martyrs and compatriots. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra has urged TP HCM to finalize its field survey, excavation, search, and collection plan by 18/6.

Thousands of Buddhists and local residents gathered quietly at Le Thi Rieng Park, once known as Do Thanh Cemetery, on the evening of 13/6. They participated in a memorial and prayer ceremony for fallen martyrs and patriots. The event, organized by the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM), spans two days, 13-14/6. It commemorates the 79th Anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day and upholds the Vietnamese Buddhist tradition of "protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people". Chanting sessions were held alternately throughout the night, continuing until 2h.

Amidst the solemn sounds of wooden fish and bells, Buddhists chanted the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's vows, praying for the souls of martyrs and compatriots who sacrificed their lives in the 1968 Mau Than offensive.

The search for remains began after the Ho Chi Minh City High Command (Bo Tu lenh TP HCM) issued a call for witnesses. This followed the discovery of archival photos documenting the burial of martyrs and compatriots who died during the 1968 Mau Than offensive. The aim is to accurately pinpoint grave locations to facilitate the collection effort.

Tran Thi Duoc, a resident of Tan Phu ward, stated that she had been at the ceremony since 13h. "I, along with everyone else, chanted two prayer sessions to remember and pray for the peaceful repose of these souls," she said.

Buddhist Nguyen Thanh Tuan, 38, offered incense to commemorate martyrs and compatriots at the memorial stele in the park.

Nguyen Duy Thuc, a veteran of the Air Defense - Air Force, offered incense to commemorate his comrades who died in the war.

Many paper military uniforms were brought by Buddhists and residents and placed before the memorial stele for heroic martyrs.

Residents living near Le Thi Rieng Park came to pray for the souls of martyrs and compatriots.

The ceremonies continued on 14/6 with a Buddhist ritual following Northern Vietnamese tradition, alongside another memorial and a "trai dan chan te" (a Buddhist ritual to feed hungry ghosts and pray for the deceased) for martyrs and compatriots.

Thanh Tung