This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
On October 23, 39 Vietnamese nationals were found dead in a refrigerated container in Essex, UK. The incident has left families in central Vietnam desperate to bring their loved ones back home.
According to an official document, the cost to repatriate a body is $2,858, while the fee to bring ashes back in a jar is $1,774. Families are being forced to take on significant debt to cover these costs, with some already owing over $30,000.
Le Minh Tuan, whose 30-year-old son Le Van Ha was among the victims, said, "We'll pay any price, whether I have to sell my house or my land, I am determined to bring him back." Tuan plans to bring his son's body back instead of ashes so he can give him a traditional burial.
Cremation is not common in rural Vietnam, where the majority of the 39 victims come from. The foreign ministry has urged families to opt for cremation "to ensure speed, low cost and sanitation safety".
However, families are determined to give their loved ones a traditional funeral. Vo Thi Hong said, "Our priority is to bring him back. We'll think about how to pay the loan later."
