In southern Vietnam, family hopes newly-found remains could bring home soldier lost since 1968
A family in southern Vietnam is waiting for DNA test results after authorities uncovered human remains at a park in Ho Chi Minh City that may belong to a soldier killed during the 1968 Tet General Offensive and Uprising, raising hopes of ending nearly six decades of uncertainty.
Family members of Huynh Van Muoi gather at their home in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam after learning that human remains found at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City could belong to their eldest brother, Huynh Van Quen, who disappeared during the 1968 Tet General Offensive and Uprising. Photo: Son Lam / Tuoi Tre
The remains were discovered at Le Thi Rieng Park, where authorities are investigating possible burial sites linked to soldiers killed during the massive, coordinated surprise military campaign launched by Vietnamese forces against U.S. and then-Saigon administration troops during the American war in Vietnam on January 30–31, 1968.
Personal effects recovered at the site included the name Huynh Van Quen, prompting officials from Ho Chi Minh City's Military Command and agencies in neighboring Tay Ninh Province to contact relatives.
At the family's home in Tay Ninh Province on Tuesday, relatives gathered to recount memories of Huynh Van Quen, who joined revolutionary activities as a teenager before enlisting at the age of 18.
The family said they lost contact with him after the fighting during the 1968 Tet General Offensive and Uprising and later received official notification of his death in 1977.
Officials from Tay Ninh Province’s Department of Home Affairs collect information from relatives of Huynh Van Quen as part of efforts to verify the identity of human remains found at Le Thi Rieng Park, in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam, July 6, 2026. Photo: Son Lam / Tuoi Tre
Relatives said they had long believed he had been killed in combat but never knew where he was buried.
They said later administrative documents corrected the spelling of his name after an earlier death notice recorded it incorrectly.
Authorities collected DNA samples from family members this week to compare with the remains found in Ho Chi Minh City.
The family said they hope the tests will confirm the identity and allow him to be buried alongside relatives after nearly 60 years.
Among those awaiting the results is Nguyen Thi Le, 80, who said she had planned to marry Quen before he left for the operation in early 1968.
Nguyen Thi Le wears earrings given to her by the mother of her late fiancé, Huynh Van Quen, as she reacts after learning that human remains found at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City may belong to him, in Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Son Lam / Tuoi Tre
"We met while I was supporting revolutionary forces near his unit and remained together until he departed for what became his final mission," Le said.
She never married after Quen disappeared and remained close to his family through the decades, attending family events and memorial ceremonies.
She said she had preserved letters they exchanged during their relationship, although the documents were later destroyed over time.
The DNA analysis is expected to determine whether the remains belong to Quen, whose family has waited nearly six decades for answers.
Bao Anh - Son Lam - Le Phan / Tuoi Tre News