Cemeteries in Vietnam

I was interested in how the Vietnamese government buried their veterans. I know in the U.S. we have national cemeteries for our veterans but I didn't have any idea what occurred in Vietnam. The sign above is a cemetery for soldiers who fought for the North.

The opening in the graves allows the soul of the body to leave. The opening is normally covered in gravel.

These are all soldiers who fought for the North during the war. There was a section of new graves in the back. The government is always finding remains from the war.

Cemetery for the North

The cemeteries are well maintained by the local residents and school children.

Unknown Grave

There are dozens of unknown graves containing multiple remains. The gravestone does indicate the battle.

Reunification Bridge

Both of these are on the 17th parallel. The are a victory monument for the North.

Reunification monument

South Vietnam also had a cemetery for their soldiers, Bien Hoa cemetery, near Saigon. At the end of the war it fell into disrepair and was vandalized. Recently the government has started allowing visitors and relatives to repair the graves. I feel this is a sign of how the Vietnamese government wants to move past the war. I had to receive permission to visit the site. It is still guarded.

Vietnam memorial in DC

Vietnam memorial in Dayton

This is the U.S. national cemetery in Dayton OH. During Christmas, the graves are decorated with wreaths.

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