Quan is a 28-year-old North Vietnamese soldier who joined the army at age eighteen from Dong Tien village. He serves as a unit commander and suffers from profound disillusionment regarding his country's war efforts. Though graying prematurely and hardened by constant battle, he retains a deep sensitivity, often dreaming of his deceased mother and questioning the ideological rhetoric constantly repeated by his superiors.

Luong is a childhood friend of Quan from Dong Tien village who enlisted on the exact same day. He serves as an officer at division headquarters and acts as a liaison agent. He fully adopts the political ideology of his superiors and advances easily in his military career by following orders without question.

Bien is a physically imposing young man from Dong Tien village who grew up alongside Quan and Luong. Known for his exceptional strength and ability to carry heavy loads, the harsh realities of the conflict break him psychologically. He represents the severe emotional toll exacted upon even the strongest individuals.

Dao Tien is a commanding officer stationed at Zone K, characterized as a small, balding man with a booming voice. He adheres strictly to political teachings and expects unquestioning patriotism from younger soldiers. He refuses to acknowledge the psychological damage the conflict inflicts on his men.

Two men, one tall and one small, traveling on a train who occupy positions of power. They use their authority to demand absolute deference from the common people around them. Their private conversation reveals a cynical approach to leadership, prioritizing personal advantage over the ideals they publicly enforce.

Kha is a soldier in the North Vietnamese army who openly questions the purpose of the conflict. He acts out against orders by breaking captured enemy equipment rather than turning it over. He holds deep resentment toward the leadership, believing they exploit the common people for personal gain.

Vieng is a solitary woman who manages a jungle cemetery, gathering and burying the dead. She suffers from intense loneliness and bears the physical marks of her grim occupation. Her desperate attempt to connect with Quan forces him to examine his own emotional detachment.

Luy is a tall, capable hunter in Quan's military unit who suffers from constant hunger. Growing up as a spoiled only child, he struggles heavily with the deprivation of military life. His desperation for food leads him to make a tragic mistake in the jungle.

Hoa is a young woman from Dong Tien village who shared a romantic evening with Quan before his enlistment, promising to wait for his return from the war. Her life is fundamentally altered by the prolonged conflict, representing the vast divide between the soldiers on the front lines and the civilians left behind.

Hung is a brutally violent soldier in Quan's unit who embodies the darkest aspects of armed conflict. He takes pride in committing atrocities and refuses to perform basic duties like carrying the wounded. He operates without a moral compass, prioritizing his own impulses over military discipline.

Thai is a seasoned soldier and one of the few surviving original members of Quan's unit. He relies on the promise of future medals and career advancement to justify his continuous service. He serves as a sounding board for Quan, maintaining a more conventional view of their military duties.

Quang is Quan's younger brother. Their father pressures him into enlisting in the military against his natural inclinations, causing immense worry for his family. His memory heavily influences Quan's emotional state, frequently manifesting in traumatic, symbolic dreams.

Phien is a soldier in Quan and Luy's platoon. He is the only person who realizes their unit's terrible mistake during a friendly-fire incident. His tragic fate in the jungle sets off Quan's internal crisis regarding leadership and accountability.