As part of its ongoing effort to identify Vietnam's fallen soldiers, Hue has completed biological sample collection at 11 martyr cemeteries, gathering more than 460 samples from unidentified remains for DNA analysis. Work is continuing at five additional cemeteries.

On June 29, the Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs' Remains in Hue held a conference reviewing the 2025-2026 dry season campaign and outlining tasks for the 2026-2027 dry season.

Under the "500-Day Campaign to Accelerate the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs' Remains," Hue recorded a number of significant achievements during the 2025-2026 dry season. Recovery Team 192 located and repatriated the remains of eight Vietnamese martyrs from Laos, achieving 53.3% of its target, while one set of martyrs' remains was recovered within Vietnam.

Authorities also actively investigated reports of mass graves in A Luoi 5 Commune, Son Na Pass, Phong Dien Ward and the Hue Imperial Citadel area, using ground-penetrating radar to collect scientific data.

In particular, the city completed biological sample collection at 11 martyr cemeteries and is continuing the process at five more sites. More than 460 samples have been collected from unidentified remains for DNA analysis in accordance with established procedures.

The conference also acknowledged several shortcomings. Recovery results in both Laos and Vietnam remained below planned targets, while DNA sample collection in some localities encountered difficulties because several local Party committees and authorities had not devoted sufficient attention to the work.

In his concluding remarks, Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Chairman of the Hue People's Committee and head of the city's Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs' Remains, called on all agencies and organisations to fully implement the tasks for the 2026-2027 dry season in preparation for the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

Priority tasks include strengthening cooperation with Laos to continue searching for and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese martyrs, while expanding the use of modern technology to verify information on suspected mass graves within Vietnam.

The city will mobilise personnel and ensure adequate resources to complete the collection and handover of biological samples from all unidentified martyrs' remains at local cemeteries during 2026, while ensuring strict compliance with procedures and maintaining the highest safety standards.

On the occasion, the Hue People's Committee presented Certificates of Merit to five organisations and five individuals. The Hue Military Command also awarded Certificates of Commendation to five individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the search, recovery and identification of martyrs' remains during the 2025-2026 dry season.

Le Bang