Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended the ceremony, where the remains were formally commemorated before being transferred to Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery. The recovery operation took place at Le Thi Rieng Park, formerly the site of Do Thanh Cemetery, where military personnel and search teams worked for more than three months.

The remains are officially commemorated as soldiers who died during the Tet Offensive, a major campaign of attacks across South Vietnam that began in January 1968. However, most individuals remain unidentified, leaving researchers with the continuing task of establishing names, family connections and other details.

The ceremony marked the end of the excavation and recovery phase for this group, not the end of the identification process. Vietnamese authorities say biological samples from the remains and DNA samples collected from relatives are being analysed to help identify those who died.

Months of excavation uncovered 731 sets of remains

Search teams recovered the remains between June 23 and October 5, 2026, according to the Vietnamese government. Team K74 and other forces worked at Le Thi Rieng Park, drawing on historical records, witness accounts, surveys and modern search equipment.

The recovery included 698 sets of remains found individually and 33 sets recovered from eight mass-grave locations. Officials said 307 sets were accompanied by personal belongings.

Those items included photographs, combs, jewellery, belts, canteens, sandals and military equipment. Such objects can provide clues about the people buried at the site and the circumstances of their deaths, but they do not automatically establish an individual’s identity.

The site had been a cemetery during the war, and investigators worked to connect the burial locations with historical evidence about fighting in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City.

The excavation was part of a longer search effort that began in 2018. Researchers and military authorities examined archival materials to determine where soldiers might have been buried, then used field surveys and equipment to guide the recovery.

Historical photographs helped guide the search

Architect Nguyen Xuan Thang and other researchers examined historical photographs, including an Associated Press image taken in February 1968 that showed burial trenches in the area. A water tower visible in the image provided a landmark that helped investigators compare the historical scene with the modern park.

Photographs can help researchers reconstruct the location of former buildings, roads and burial areas that have changed over time. In this case, the archival material formed part of a wider body of evidence rather than serving as proof of the identity of any particular person.

Military maps, witness accounts and historical records were also used to assess the site. The combination of documentary research and physical investigation helped search teams locate remains in an urban area that had undergone decades of development and change.

DNA analysis may help identify the dead

The central challenge now is identifying the people whose remains have been recovered. Vietnamese authorities said biological samples from the remains and DNA samples collected from relatives of unidentified soldiers are being analysed and stored in the national gene bank.

DNA comparisons can help establish family relationships, but results depend on the condition of the biological material, the availability of suitable reference samples and the ability to interpret the evidence. The process may be particularly difficult when remains have been buried for decades in challenging conditions.

Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Technology has been involved in the wider national effort to improve DNA identification. Its researchers are working with newer genetic-analysis methods intended to help recover usable information from old remains and compare it with family reference samples.

No public result reviewed for this report establishes that all 731 individuals have been identified, or provides a timetable for matching the recovered remains with named relatives.

For families who have spent decades searching for missing loved ones, the recovery provides a place for formal remembrance. Identification, however, remains necessary to connect individual remains to a specific name and family history.

A wider campaign to locate missing soldiers

The reburial forms part of Vietnam’s nationwide 500-day campaign to search for, recover and identify the remains of soldiers killed during the country’s wars.

Vietnamese government figures published on October 13 said the campaign had recovered 3,611 sets of remains, reaching 51.59% of its stated target. The campaign is intended to accelerate the search for missing soldiers and the identification of remains already held in cemeteries or recovered from burial sites.

The national effort involves more than excavation. Authorities are collecting and analysing biological samples, building reference records and seeking information from families and people who may know where soldiers were buried.

It is important to distinguish soldiers whose remains have not been found from those whose remains have been recovered but whose identities are still unknown. The two groups require different forms of work: locating suspected burial sites in the first case, and identifying recovered remains in the second.

The 731 sets from Le Thi Rieng Park fall into the latter category. Their recovery has provided a defined group of remains for continued examination, but most have yet to be connected publicly to individual identities.

The historical significance of the Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive began on January 31, 1968, during the Lunar New Year holiday, when North Vietnamese forces and the Viet Cong launched coordinated attacks across South Vietnam, including in Saigon.

The offensive did not produce a lasting military victory for communist forces in the cities they attacked, and they suffered heavy losses. But the scale of the attacks had a profound political and psychological effect, particularly in the United States, where it intensified doubts about the progress of the war.

Fighting in Saigon was intense, and many people died in a conflict that left families separated and records incomplete. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the war ended in 1975.

The recovered remains are officially associated with soldiers who fought and died during the Tet Offensive. Because individual identification is incomplete, the precise identity, unit and circumstances of death of most people in the group have not been publicly established.

Reburial provides a resting place, but the search continues

The October 14 ceremony brought the 731 sets of remains from the former cemetery site to Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery for burial. It also highlighted the continuing effort to identify those who were lost during the war.

The recovery shows how historical images, archival research, field investigation and scientific analysis can work together to locate and identify people decades after their deaths. Yet the process is often slow, and not every set of remains will necessarily yield enough evidence for a conclusive identification.

For the families of missing soldiers, the next stage remains critical: matching biological samples with relatives, checking historical records and confirming identities where the evidence allows.

The burial gives the recovered remains a formal resting place. The wider search continues, with the goal of returning names and family connections to as many of Vietnam’s missing war dead as possible.

Reporting Credit: Government of Vietnam; Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

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Destruction in the Philippines

Kalmaegi, known locally as Typhoon Tino, made landfall in the central Philippines on Tuesday, tearing through Cebu province and surrounding regions. Local officials said entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, with homes submerged, power lines toppled, and vehicles swept away by floodwaters. The country’s Office of Civil Defense reported at least 188 deaths and more than 130 people missing as of late Thursday.

Drone footage showed catastrophic flooding in Cebu City and nearby Talisay, where residents waded through waist-deep water. Thousands of homes along the Mananga River were buried in mud and debris. “We weren’t able to save anything. Everything is gone,” said Mely Saberon, 52, from Talisay. Another survivor in Cebu City described the floodwaters as rising so quickly that “there was no time to gather belongings.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national calamity and ordered continued relief operations across the central and southern Philippines. Emergency teams are working to reach isolated communities and distribute food and medical aid.

Vietnam Faces the Storm’s Fury

After battering the Philippines, Kalmaegi strengthened over the South China Sea before slamming into central Vietnam late Thursday with winds reaching 125 miles per hour, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The storm weakened as it moved inland but caused extensive damage in the provinces of Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, and Thua Thien Hue.

State media reported at least one death in Vietnam and three people missing after being swept out to sea near Ly Son island. More than half a million residents were evacuated, many by boat, amid warnings of life-threatening flooding and landslides. Local television showed images of collapsed homes, uprooted trees, and power lines brought down by the gale-force winds.

The typhoon’s impact was compounded by earlier floods that inundated parts of central Vietnam last week, submerging the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An and damaging over 100,000 homes. Authorities said recovery efforts from those floods had barely begun when Kalmaegi struck.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Across both countries, relief agencies are struggling to deliver aid to affected areas. In the Philippines, emergency shelters are overcrowded, and many survivors have limited access to clean water or electricity. In Vietnam, floodwaters have inundated farmlands, threatening food supplies and livelihoods.

International organizations, including the Red Cross and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have begun assessing the scale of the disaster. The UN has warned that recovery in both nations could take months, particularly in rural and low-lying communities vulnerable to repeated climate shocks.

A Slow-Moving, Rain-Heavy Storm

Meteorologists say Kalmaegi’s unusual destructiveness stemmed from its slow movement and extreme rainfall. In parts of Leyte and northern Mindanao, the typhoon dumped 150 to 250 millimeters (6 to 10 inches) of rain in just 24 hours—more than the average monthly total for November. “Wind speed is often what people focus on, but water is almost always the number one killer,” said CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense, said the flooding was worsened by clogged drainage systems and inadequate infrastructure. “We must rethink how we build our cities,” he told local media. “We need larger, more resilient drainage systems and better early warning communication.”

Corruption Scandal Clouds Flood Response

The disaster has also reignited public anger over corruption allegations involving billions of pesos in flood control projects. Dozens of lawmakers and contractors are under investigation for allegedly misusing funds meant to build flood defenses. Protesters have taken to the streets, accusing officials of neglecting vital infrastructure that could have mitigated the storm’s impact.

Climate Crisis Intensifying Typhoons

Scientists warn that Typhoon Kalmaegi reflects a growing pattern of extreme weather fueled by global warming. The western Pacific is the world’s most active tropical cyclone basin, and ocean temperatures there have hit record highs for eight consecutive years. Hotter waters provide more energy for storms, allowing them to strengthen rapidly.

“The climate crisis is supercharging tropical storms,” said climate scientist Dr. Mei Lin of the University of Tokyo. “Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall events like those we’ve seen in Vietnam and the Philippines.”

Just two months ago, Typhoon Ragasa tore through the Philippines, Taiwan, and southern China, underscoring how increasingly frequent and severe storms are placing immense strain on the region’s disaster preparedness systems.

Another Storm on the Horizon

Even as Kalmaegi weakens over mainland Southeast Asia, another tropical system, Fung-Wong—known locally as Uwan—is intensifying east of Luzon. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said it could strengthen into a Category 3 or 4 storm over the weekend, posing new risks to northern Philippines already saturated by weeks of rain.

As both nations confront the aftermath of Kalmaegi, experts say long-term solutions will require major investments in infrastructure, climate adaptation, and regional cooperation. For many survivors, however, recovery remains an immediate and deeply personal struggle.

Source: CNN – Typhoon Kalmaegi slams into Vietnam after unleashing deadly destruction in the Philippines

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As the U.S.-China trade war continues to escalate, one key difference between the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy may matter more than ever: the countries where these smartphones are assembled.

Unlike Apple, which remains heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing, Samsung has diversified its production across several countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, India, and Brazil. This strategic shift could give Samsung an advantage as the U.S. ramps up tariffs on Chinese imports, particularly smartphones.

Apple’s production is still deeply tied to China, with estimates suggesting that around 90% of iPhones are assembled there, according to Wedbush Securities. While Apple has shifted some production to countries like India, the bulk of its phones still come from China. This dependency has made Apple vulnerable to the impact of the U.S.-China trade tensions and tariffs, which can drastically affect prices and profit margins.

In contrast, Samsung closed its last phone factory in China in 2019, after losing market share to local competitors. Today, the majority of Samsung smartphones are manufactured in Vietnam, India, South Korea, and Brazil—countries that aren’t directly targeted by Trump’s tariff policies. According to Counterpoint Research, about 90% of Samsung’s smartphone production takes place in Vietnam alone.

While Apple has received some relief from the tariffs targeting consumer tech devices, the looming threat of new tariffs on semiconductors—the essential components for electronics—could hit Apple harder than Samsung. The tech giant’s dependence on Chinese supply chains means it could face higher costs and potentially higher retail prices if tariffs increase.

Samsung, however, stands in a better position due to its diversified production footprint. With significant operations in countries like India and Vietnam, Samsung may avoid the worst of the tariff burdens. As Gerrit Schneemann, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, puts it: “The advantage is, yes, they’re not facing the crazy numbers that Apple is dealing with.”

However, while Samsung may be insulated from some of the tariff effects, it doesn’t guarantee an immediate surge in sales. Analysts caution that Samsung’s market share might not increase overnight. “There’s not a direct line to turning that into just an exponential boost in sales,” Schneemann adds.

Apple’s pricing strategy is aimed at premium devices, with only a few high-end models in its lineup, ensuring it maintains higher margins. Samsung, on the other hand, offers a broader range of devices, including budget-friendly options through its Galaxy A series, which dominate the lower end of the market.

This difference in strategy means that while Apple may suffer more from price hikes due to tariffs, Samsung’s larger variety of phones might help it capture a wider array of consumers, particularly in price-sensitive markets. However, even with this advantage, analysts remain cautious about whether Samsung can pull customers away from the loyal Apple base.

Even with Samsung’s diversified production, the broader economic effects of the trade war and tariffs could hurt both companies. If consumer prices rise due to tariffs on imports from China, the economic strain may cause consumers to delay upgrading their devices. “Daily necessities and essentials are going to be higher on the list than maybe a new or upgraded smartphone,” Schneemann notes, particularly in mature markets like the U.S.

This shift could slow the growth of the smartphone market, especially in emerging economies, where demand for affordable smartphones has been rising steadily. Rising costs and a potential economic slowdown could lead consumers to hold onto their existing devices for longer periods, impacting overall smartphone sales.

While the tariff war may provide Samsung with a temporary advantage, the ongoing uncertainty in the global economy and tech supply chains makes the future unpredictable. As analysts from Wedbush Securities suggest, urgent negotiations with China are crucial to avoid further economic damage.

For now, Samsung’s global manufacturing footprint gives it a cushion against the most severe effects of tariffs. However, both companies will need to navigate a complex and volatile landscape if they hope to maintain growth and stay competitive in an increasingly unpredictable market.

Source: CNN – The iPhone’s biggest rival may have one advantage in Trump’s tariff war

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Lego has just taken a bold step toward a greener future. The iconic toy company officially opened a massive $1 billion manufacturing plant in Vietnam, designed to operate entirely on clean energy by early 2026.

Located in Binh Duong province near Ho Chi Minh City, the factory is Lego’s first in Vietnam, its sixth globally, and its second in Asia. It’s a critical part of the Danish company’s commitment to cut carbon emissions and eventually reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

“We want to make sure the planet our children inherit is one that’s still here and thriving,” said Lego CEO Niels Christiansen.

Spanning the size of 62 soccer fields, this state-of-the-art facility is packed with high-tech automation, including robots that craft Lego bricks with razor-sharp precision—accurate to one-tenth the width of a human hair. While the machines do the heavy lifting, thousands of skilled workers—many trained in Lego’s China factory—will oversee operations.

The factory runs on a solar-powered energy system equipped with 12,400 solar panels and battery storage. While most of its power will come directly from the sun, the remaining 10-20% will be sourced through clean energy agreements with local producers. Thanks to Vietnam’s new Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA), companies like Lego can now buy renewable energy straight from providers—a game-changer for the region’s sustainability goals.

“This factory shows that big, energy-intensive plants can be both green and profitable,” said Mimi Vu, co-founder of consultancy Raise Partners.

Vietnam, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, has set its own goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. With manufacturing accounting for 20% of the country’s GDP and half its energy consumption, the Lego factory serves as a much-needed model for sustainable industrial growth.

The new facility is also built with energy efficiency in mind—featuring five smart buildings and a major reforestation effort. Lego has already planted 50,000 trees, double the number it cut down for construction.

In another eco-friendly shift, the Vietnam plant is the first Lego factory to phase out single-use plastic bags, replacing them with recyclable paper alternatives.

To support its expansion in Southeast Asia and Oceania, Lego will also open a distribution center in Dong Nai province. By building factories closer to key markets, Lego hopes to cut logistics costs and shield itself from global trade tensions, including tariffs imposed by the U.S. under the Trump administration.

“Locating production close to consumers helps us stay agile,” Christiansen noted. “We’re watching global growth and consumer sentiment closely.”

Lego still faces a major challenge: making its iconic bricks out of eco-friendly materials. The company has invested over $1.2 billion in research to find alternatives to oil-based plastics. While progress is slow, it’s ongoing.

Today, about a third of the materials used in new Lego bricks come from renewable or recycled sources, though these options are currently more expensive.

“It’s not cheap, but we believe our efforts help build a new supply chain for sustainable plastics,” Christiansen said.

Founded by Ole Kirk Kristiansen in the 1930s, Lego has come a long way from wooden toys to becoming a global symbol of creativity and play. Now, it hopes to become a leader in sustainable manufacturing too.

Source: AP News – Lego opens a factory in Vietnam it says will make toys without adding emissions to the atmosphere

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