98-year-old Tran Van Tiep of Ho Chi Minh City has been given permission to continue his hunt for Japanese treasure he believes is buried at Tau Mountain in Binh Thuan Province.
Tiep has spent over 20 years searching for 4,000 tons of gold and jewelry he thinks was buried by Japanese general Yamashita during World War 2. While his search for treasure has been unsuccessful, in 1992, Tiep uncovered an old Japanese sword with its scabbard, a 10,000-yen coin, a broken metal hookah, and two metal Black Dragon insignias.
Even though he has spent VND500 million of his own money to repair environmental damage caused by his quest, he claims he’s not in it for profit:
“I have hunted for the treasure not for my own benefit…I have always considered the treasure a state asset. I have sought the treasure at my own expense and have not asked the government for a cent.”
Earlier this week, the provincial People’s Committee gave Tiep permission to continue his hunt for 6 more months. The Committee gave him permission to use drills but rejected his request to employ explosives.
We probably wouldn't trust a 90-year-old with explosives either...
