Vietnam Officially Recognizes Woman as Wife of Fallen Soldier After 60 Years

In Tây Ninh province, Vietnam, Nguyễn Thị Lệ, 79, received official recognition as the wife of fallen soldier Huỳnh Văn Quên and will receive survivor benefits starting in July, nearly 60 years after they became engaged. The decision follows the discovery of remains and artifacts bearing Quên’s name during an excavation at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this month.

Local authorities in Vàm Cỏ commune confirmed the relationship after consulting with six family members, all of whom agreed on Lệ’s status as Quên’s fiancée. She will receive a monthly allowance of over 2.7 million đồng in bereavement support, plus an additional 2.2 million đồng for living alone with no family support, totaling nearly 5 million đồng per month.

Vietnam’s regulations for recognizing spouses of fallen soldiers prioritize marriage certificates and family records. When those are unavailable, confirmation from family and relatives can be used to establish the relationship. Investigators determined that Quên served with the 1st Battalion of Long An and fought in the Battle of Chữ Y Bridge during the Tết Offensive in 1968.