Vietnam Police Launch Nationwide DNA Drive to Identify Unnamed War Martyrs

The Ministry of Public Security announced a high‑intensity campaign to collect DNA samples from relatives of unidentified Vietnamese war martyrs. The effort aims to gather 300,000 samples by the end of 2026, with an initial phase (June 25‑July 25) targeting 250,000 samples and a second phase completing the remainder. A three‑step procedure—registration at local police stations, priority classification of relatives, and supervised sample collection—has been detailed to ensure accuracy and humane treatment.

In a concrete outcome of the program, a martyr’s identity was restored after 54 years. DNA from the family of Private Nguyễn Trọng Cát, killed in 1972, matched remains in a cemetery in Cần Thơ, confirming his name and rank. This case is among more than 37,000 samples collected in 2025 and illustrates the broader impact of integrating DNA technology and digital records into Vietnam’s tribute to its war heroes.