Vietnam advances 500‑day campaign to recover war martyrs' remains

Vietnam’s nationwide 500‑day campaign to locate and identify the remains of fallen soldiers has intensified. In Ho Chi Minh City, teams recovered 519 sets of remains, including 11 individual sets and four mass‑grave sets, and accelerated DNA testing to confirm identities. In Tay Ninh Province, authorities announced the recovery of 511 sets of martyrs’ remains, part of a broader effort that has already sampled DNA from 16,160 graves, covering 87 % of the province’s war‑martyr sites. The first batch of over 10,000 DNA samples has been sent to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology for analysis, while thousands of samples from relatives have also been collected. Officials highlighted cooperation with Cambodian counterparts to expand searches in border provinces. Ceremonies honored the recovered remains, awarded medals and certificates to participating units, and underscored the importance of swift identification so families can welcome their heroes home.