Vietnam accelerates search and identification of war martyrs' remains

Vietnam is intensifying its ‘500-Day-and-Night Campaign’ to search for, recover, and identify the remains of war martyrs. The campaign has mobilized 32 search and recovery teams, including 19 operating overseas in Laos and Cambodia, involving approximately 1,559 personnel.

As of August 22, the campaign has recovered 1,863 sets of remains. Significant recovery efforts have taken place in Tuyen Quang, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Tri, Dong Nai, Dak Lak, and Quang Ngai. To facilitate identification, biological samples have been collected from 148,601 graves, reaching 69.8% of the target. Specialized teams are working to process these samples for DNA testing through the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Regional efforts include preparations in Ha Tinh for a mission to Laos scheduled for September 2026, and ongoing sampling operations in Dien Bien. Additionally, the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States continues to facilitate cooperation with U.S. partners under the Vietnam War Accounting Initiative, which supports the search for both Vietnamese martyrs and U.S. service members missing in action.