# Martyr identification efforts in central Vietnam

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/martyr-identification-efforts-in-central-vietnam
> Updated: 2026-09-09T10:49:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 5.

Authorities in central Vietnam are utilizing personal artifacts found in graves to identify unknown war martyrs. In Quang Ngai province, officials conducting a ‘500-day campaign to promote the search, collection, and identification of martyr remains’ discovered a faded portrait of a woman and a rubber sandal at the Hanh Thinh Martyrs Cemetery. At the Thien But Martyrs Cemetery, officials recovered a leather wallet and a dark red fountain pen engraved with the name ‘Pham Tao’. Recent excavations at the Ba To Martyrs Cemetery in Quang Ngai have yielded further clues. At grave site 32, officials found a small album containing a portrait of a woman and handwritten names, possibly ‘Nguyen Van Thuan’ or ‘Nguyen Van Tuan’, alongside a serial number. At grave site 12, a leather wallet inscribed with the name ‘Dinh Xuan Me’ was recovered. The Quang Ngai Military Command is preserving these items and restoring photographs to assist families and comrades in the identification process. In Da Nang, an inspection of grave number 104 at the Tam Thai Martyrs Cemetery led to the discovery of a wallet containing a portrait and a metal plate inscribed with “Thà hy sinh tất cả, quyết không làm nô lệ” (Rather die than be a slave). A resident, Nguyen Thi Hanh, identified the portrait as herself in her youth, noting it was a gift to her uncle, Nguyen Van Hau. Preliminary records suggest the remains likely belong to Private Nguyen Van Hau, who died in combat on May 14, 1969. Additionally, in Tra Giap commune, Da Nang authorities discovered decomposed remains following a tip from a local resident. Recovered items include a ‘Dũng sĩ diệt Mỹ’ (US-killer hero) badge, a belt, a fountain pen nib, tweezers, and clothing fragments.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Da Nang authorities discover martyr remains and war relics

Authorities in Da Nang discovered martyr remains and historical artifacts, including a ‘Dũng sĩ diệt Mỹ’ badge, during an excavation in Tra Giap commune.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/da-nang-authorities-discover-martyr-remains-and-war-relics

### 2026-09-03: Personal artifacts found in martyr graves in Quang Ngai

Authorities in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, discovered a portrait and a leather wallet inscribed with the name Dinh Xuan Me while collecting martyr remains for DNA testing at Ba To Martyrs Cemetery.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/personal-artifacts-found-in-martyr-graves-in-quang-ngai

### 2026-08-26: Quang Ngai authorities find engraved pen in martyr grave

Authorities in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, discovered a fountain pen engraved with the name ‘Pham Tao’ while excavating unidentified martyr graves at Thien But Cemetery, providing a potential clue for identification.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/quang-ngai-authorities-find-engraved-pen-in-martyr-grave

### 2026-08-22: Quang Ngai authorities use restored portrait to identify unknown martyr

A restored portrait of a woman found in an unidentified grave at Hanh Thinh Martyrs Cemetery is being used to help identify a fallen soldier in Quang Ngai, Vietnam.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/quang-ngai-authorities-use-restored-portrait-to-identify-unknown-martyr

### 2026-08-22: Da Nang authorities identify martyr via photograph found in grave

A photograph found in a martyr's grave at Tam Thai Cemetery has helped identify the remains as Nguyen Van Hau, after his niece recognized her own youthful portrait in the discovered items.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/da-nang-authorities-identify-martyr-via-photograph-found-in-grave

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Cite as: Martyr identification efforts in central Vietnam. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/martyr-identification-efforts-in-central-vietnam