This mango-shaped cup was carved by Nguyễn Ngọc Diệp’s father during his imprisonment at Trại K3 (K3 Camp) in Vĩnh Phú Province, one of the northern “reeducation” camps where thousands of former South Vietnamese military officers were detained after 1975. Using only primitive tools and discarded materials, he engraved a phoenix on the cup’s surface. At the time of his imprisonment, Diệp’s mother was one month pregnant.
Issued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the HO Program in coordination with the U.S. and Vietnamese governments. Stamped dates (16 May, 11 July, and 21 September 1991) record stages of medical screening and departure processing for emigration.
In 1979, while imprisoned at the Gia Trung reeducation camp in Pleiku, Vũ Huy Thâm crafted a comb from the wreckage of a South Vietnam Air Force plane shot down in the surrounding forests. After shaping and polishing the metal, he asked a fellow inmate to engrave the intertwined initials “T” and “H” to represent himself and his wife, Lê Thị Nguyệt Hồng.
Gifted to Father Nguyễn Hữu Lễ by a close friend during his 11 years in prisons in Northern Vietnam, including time at Quyết Tiến disciplinary camp near the Chinese border, also known as Heaven’s Gate Prison.
Wallet was last worn by Trần Thắng Tài on the morning of his execution.
The tooth was dislodged during his execution, when he most likely bit down on the stone that was forced into his mouth to muffle his cries.
This button was last worn by Trần Thắng Tài on the morning of his execution.
Shoved into Trần Thắng Tài's mouth during his execution to muffle his cries.
Spoon hand-carved from a coconut shell and used by Trần Thắng Tài while imprisoned in a Communist "re-education" camp.