A gravestone bearing the name of martyr Bui Van Kha and the phrase “6 years old” has sparked widespread curiosity at the Ben Cat City Martyrs’ Cemetery in Binh Duong Province. Visitors paying their respects were puzzled by the inscription but could find no clear answers - until now.

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The gravestone marked “6 years old” caused confusion among visitors. Photo: X.A

The Binh Duong Department of Home Affairs has officially explained the origin of the controversial grave.

Speaking with VietNamNet, officials cited a report from the Ben Cat City Department of Home Affairs confirming the grave of martyr Bui Van Kha, whose hometown is An Nhon Tay, Cu Chi. According to the gravestone, he died on February 28, 1966. The grave has existed since before 1996.

Authorities have clarified that the term “6 years old” carved on the stone is not the martyr’s age, but rather a codename or alias used during wartime. The martyr’s other details - such as date of birth, rank, unit, and position - remain unknown.

Currently, Binh Duong Province manages the grave of Bui Van Kha at Ben Cat Cemetery but holds no official records or dossiers for this martyr. No other graves in the cemetery feature similar inscriptions.

The Department of Home Affairs stated that it will continue reviewing graves in the province, and if any inconsistencies are found, it will coordinate with relevant agencies to verify and update martyr records in line with current regulations.

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The grave of martyr Bui Van Kha features two stones with identical information. Photo: X.A

Previously, a photo of the black stone gravestone was shared widely on social media. The inscription read:
“Martyr Bui Van Kha (6 years old), hometown: An Nhon Tay – Cu Chi… died on 28-02-1966.”
The grave also features an older gravestone with matching information.

VietNamNet reporters verified that the grave is located in section 2, row 3, plot 3 of the Ben Cat City Martyrs’ Cemetery, where approximately 4,000 other martyr graves are located.

Nguyen Van Hai, the cemetery caretaker for the past seven years, confirmed the grave’s presence predates his tenure. He noted that many visitors have asked about the “6 years old” inscription, but he could not explain it until now.

Field reports confirmed that all other graves at the cemetery include typical details - name, year of birth, hometown, unit, rank, date of death - but only this one bears the line “6 years old.”

Earlier, on May 4, the Department for National Devotees under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees martyr records, confirmed there was no official record of a martyr named Bui Van Kha dying in 1966 at the age of six.

The only similar record is for a martyr named Bui Van Kha (with a slightly different spelling: Khạ), born in 1948, who died in 1968 at the age of 20. That martyr also hailed from An Nhon Tay, Cu Chi, and is buried in Cu Chi Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Xuan An