Soldiers search for war martyrs’ remains at Da Sap cave, Ha Nha Commune, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre
The figures were announced at a conference in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Saturday to review search, recovery and identification efforts during the first half of this year.
The meeting was chaired by Major General Luong Dinh Chung, political commissar of Military Region 5.
The Military Region 5 Command is responsible for organizing, building, managing, and commanding the armed forces in five central and Central Highlands localities, including Da Nang, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, and Quang Ngai.
Martyrs’ remains recovered in Ha Nha Commune, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre
Reports showed that local units conducted surveys and searches at 152 sites, involving more than 2,100 workdays.
Several workshops were organized to verify information about collective graves and areas with multiple martyrs’ burials.
Specialized teams expanded searches in Laos and Cambodia, excavating thousands of cubic meters of soil and rock.
So far, 61 sets of martyrs’ remains have been recovered in southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia.
Alongside search and recovery efforts, DNA sampling is underway to identify remains lacking information.
By July 16, more than 8,100 graves of unidentified martyrs had been exhumed, with 554 samples collected and handed over for testing.
Major General Luong Dinh Chung (standing), political commissar of Military Region 5, speaks at a conference in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 18, 2026. Photo: Khai Dang
Military Region 5 has advised the formation of temporary recovery teams in Da Nang and Khanh Hoa, while reinforcing specialized units in Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak to meet the demands of the 500-day campaign.
The nationwide 500-day campaign is running from March 15, 2026 to July 27, 2027 with an aim of locating and identifying remains of fallen Vietnamese soldiers.
Speaking at the meeting, Major General Chung urged strict implementation of the Vietnamese Party and government directives, emphasizing coordination between the military, veterans’ associations, and local organizations to verify information and mobilize public support.
He also called for closer cooperation with provinces in southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia, and tighter oversight of DNA sampling to ensure progress and quality.
