Vietnam's 500‑Day Night Campaign Advances War Hero Remains Identification

The Vietnamese government’s “500‑day night” campaign to locate, collect DNA samples and identify the remains of war heroes is progressing in the provinces of Lâm Đồng and Thái Nguyên. In Lâm Đồng, officials aim to complete sampling, digitisation and hand‑over of remains before 15 November 2026. The province faces 4,845 unidentified graves, with 3,436 samples targeted at Bình Thuận cemetery and 651 at the local Lâm Đồng cemetery. Five specialised teams of medical, forensic, IT and logistical staff carry out excavation, sampling, preservation and data entry under tight quality controls.

In Thái Nguyên, troops and local militia are excavating 191 graves at Vô Tranh cemetery, extracting DNA from each and then restoring the graves to their original condition. The extraction rate is about 30 graves per day, while restoring each site takes roughly three times longer, requiring meticulous work to maintain the sanctity and appearance of the cemetery. Both provinces stress the need for precision, discipline and respect for the fallen as the campaign seeks to honour their sacrifices and provide closure for families.