Staff of the British Embassy in Hanoi observe a minute’s silence in memory of the 39 Essex victims, November 4, 2019. Photo: Twitter

Each holding a white mums flower, British diplomats and embassy staff members stood silent around an empty desk to commemorate the victims in a photo posted to the Twitter account of British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward.

“We’d like to express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and all those who’ve been affected by this tragedy,” the post reads.

A similar minute’s silence was also observed at the UK Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning.

On Friday, British police said they believe all victims found dead in a truck container in Essex, about 32 kilometers from central London, on October 23 were Vietnamese.

White mums flowers are dedicated to the 39 Essex victims at the British Embassy in Hanoi, November 4, 2019. Photo: Twitter

A delegation of officials from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security arrived in London on Sunday and started working with the local police on Monday to verify the victims’ identities, Minister To Lam told reporters outside a legislature meeting in Hanoi on Monday.

Another delegation of foreign ministry officials left Vietnam for the UK on Sunday to assist the identification, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said.

Vietnamese Public Security Minister To Lam speaks to reporters outside a legislature meeting in Hanoi on November 4, 2019. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre

The minister added that Vietnamese police officials have brought DNA samples to the UK for victim identification.

“We have brought many ministry-verified documents concerning the families who reported that their members had gone missing for cross-checks with the British side to reach an early conclusion so that we can start working with the UK to resolve [related issues],” Lam said.