Whether you found this page by accident or design, you have come accross a challenge which every missing person investigator who enjoys "people hunting" would welcome, but for any family member directly involved with the search for a loved one, wished circumstances were not as they are.We ask ourselves everyday: Where is Tran Bon?

This webpage is dedicated to Lee Nogc Anh Smith, known in Vietnam as Tran Thi Xuan Hanh and her search for her brother, Tran Bon, born in 1942, Tam Ky, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Lee lost contact with her brother after coming to America in 1969, and after an exchange of letters which stopped in 1973. One of the letters from Tran Bon to his sister can be found at the bottom of this page. Please click the two images to read the faded handwritten letter in Vietnamese. Feel free to save any image to your hard drive and or print out for easier reading of any text.

In addition to losing contact with her brother during these stressful war years, Vietnamese call the American War, Lee is also suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease, and her memory fades in an out like the passing of the seasons... Lee has no photo of her brother, but has photos of her brother's daughters, Tran Thi Huong, and Tran Thi Nang. Tran Bon's wife's name was Pham Thi Xuan Cuc. We have no other information about her. Tran Bon's job at the time was believed to be wood seller. Lee seems to recall him getting up in the morning and going out into the forest to collect wood, which he would then bring back and sell. Below is a map of Quang Nam Province and where Tam Ky is located, (south of Da Nang and Hoi An). Click to enlarge the image

Tran Bon was born in Quang Nam Province, as well as his sister, wife and two daughters. His last known address, (36 years ago) was 187 Tran Cao Van, Tam Ky formerly called Quang Tin) Quang Nam, Vietnam. Our search team has visited this location and confirmed that this specific address no longer exists. Tam Ky city has had 3 address changes in the intervening years, and nobody seems to know what happened to this address or the Tran Bon family home that was located there. Tran Bon's ID card number (pre-1975) was 06054750. We have been to the police in Tam Ky and they either cannot or will not help up with this. The post office in Tam Ky has no record for this addresss, cannot tell us what happened to this address, and nobody listed under the name Tran Bon in the local telephone directory.

Where the search stands to date: We have visited Tam Ky, advertised both in local and nationwide newspapers, advertised on TV in Tam Ky, and on radio. Walked around the general area handing out flyers and discussing this with many people from all walks of life, ages and levals of education. None of which developed any new information or leads. We have contacted the Red Cross but they cannot be of help to us, as well as various goverment agencies both in Vietnam and America.

If you feel you know any of these people, or have a suggestion of an approach that may not have been covered or mentioned, your help and advice in this search would be most appreciated.Although Lee has lived in the USA for many years, her English is limited, but she thanks anyone for stopping by to view this page, and regardless of whether you can be of help or not, she says from the bottom of her heart to everyone- "Cam On Rat Nhieu". Thank you very much..