Located Mai Dich Ward in Cau Giay District, Mai Dich Cemetery was built in 1956 on a total area of 59,000 square metres. This is the resting place of 1,228 soldiers and 394 party, state, and government leaders, scientists, authors, and military officials.
The cemetery usually attracts a large number of visitors who are relatives and friends of the dead ahead of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, July 27.
A visitor, Nguyen Van Thang, said that his uncle died in the US War, and he always visits the cemetery to offer incense and flowers at his grave and some surrounding graves during Tet Festival and War Invalids and Martyrs' Day.
Another visitor, Le Thi Bich Hang, said that she also had a family member resting here so she often visits the cemetery on special occasions.
"My father died in the US War and was buried here in Mai Dich," Hang said. "I'm always very moved by the great contribution of the fallen soldiers and other figures whenever I visit here."
Some of the leaders resting at Mai Dich include late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, late Party General Secretary Le Duan, late Party General Secretary Truong Chinh, late Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, late Prime Minister Pham Hung, and late State President Ton Duc Thang, among others.
After the two-day state funeral on July 25-26, late Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will also be buried at Mai Dich Cemetery.
