Vietnam has launched a nationwide DNA collection campaign to identify unidentified war martyrs and reunite families.
On June 24, the Ministry of Public Security launched a nationwide campaign to collect DNA samples from relatives of martyrs whose remains have not yet been identified.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, a member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the National Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs' Remains, attended the ceremony and delivered keynote remarks.
The event was held at the Ministry of Public Security headquarters in Hanoi and connected online with police departments in all 34 provinces and centrally governed cities, as well as 3,321 commune-level police units nationwide.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra addresses the launch ceremony. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.
The campaign is one of the key activities under the national "500-day campaign to accelerate the search, recovery and identification of martyrs' remains," marking the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2027).
It also implements Plan No. 51-KH/DUCA issued by the Central Public Security Party Committee on April 24 and Plan No. 453/KH-BCA-C06 issued by the Ministry of Public Security on June 8.
Homecomings after more than half a century
One of the most emotional moments during the ceremony came when DNA identification results were presented directly to the relatives of fallen soldiers.
In recent years, the Ministry of Public Security has coordinated with relevant agencies to collect and compare DNA samples, resulting in the successful identification and official recognition of 25 previously unidentified martyrs.
Based on DNA matching results, the Department of Meritorious Services under the Ministry of Home Affairs officially confirmed the identity of martyr Nguyen Thien Quyet, whose remains are buried at Duc Co Martyrs' Cemetery in Gia Lai Province.
Nguyen Thien Quyet was born in 1953 in the former Hai Duong Province. He enlisted in February 1971, served as a Private in Unit V104/F7, B2, and was killed in action on September 3, 1971.
The Department of Home Affairs of Can Tho also officially identified two martyrs buried at Nga Bay - Phung Hiep Martyrs' Cemetery: Doan Van Khai, born in 1950 in Ninh Binh, a Sergeant and squad leader in Company 800 KB who was killed on October 3, 1972; and Nguyen Trong Cat, born in 1952 in Thanh Hoa, a platoon deputy commander serving in southern Vietnam who was killed on October 20, 1972.
"This is not only an immense joy for these three families but also for the entire nation, especially for those who have devoted themselves day and night to searching for, recovering and identifying the remains of our fallen soldiers," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
She stressed that these achievements demonstrate that although the war ended decades ago, the Party, the State and the Vietnamese people remain committed to bringing fallen soldiers home to their families and homeland.
Applying technology in a race against time
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra presents DNA identification results to relatives of a fallen soldier. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.
The Deputy Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Public Security for proactively developing and deploying modern technological solutions, including DNA collection, analysis and database development.
To date, the Ministry has coordinated the collection, comparison, analysis and synchronization of more than 53,000 DNA records from relatives of unidentified martyrs, resulting in the successful identification of 25 previously unidentified fallen soldiers.
She also praised the close cooperation of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and local authorities in carrying out this particularly meaningful mission.
Emphasizing that the 500-day campaign has entered a decisive stage, the Deputy Prime Minister said the work ahead remains immense.
More than 175,000 Vietnamese martyrs have yet to be found, while over 300,000 martyrs' graves still lack identifying information.
"This sacred mission compels us to act. It is both our responsibility to history and a race against time," she said.
Many direct relatives of fallen soldiers are now elderly and in declining health. Many have spent their entire lives hoping to find their loved ones.
Every passing day risks losing another opportunity and leaving another gap in history unfilled.
She stressed that identifying martyrs' remains, particularly those lacking information, requires a systematic, scientific, coordinated and long-term approach, making DNA collection from relatives a critical component of the process.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, presents gifts to relatives of fallen soldiers. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra speaks with relatives of fallen soldiers. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra meets relatives of fallen soldiers. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.
Mobilizing the whole of society
The Deputy Prime Minister urged ministries, agencies and local authorities to treat the campaign as a priority political task by mobilizing all available resources to accelerate DNA collection and identification efforts without delay.
She called on the Central Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization to intensify public awareness campaigns highlighting the political, historical and humanitarian significance of searching for, recovering and identifying martyrs' remains.
The Ministry of Public Security was instructed to continue leading DNA collection, analysis and database management while ensuring scientific accuracy, information security and data protection. It was also tasked with proposing additional modern equipment to handle the substantial workload efficiently.
Delegates attend the nationwide launch ceremony. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.DNA samples are collected from relatives of unidentified martyrs. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.DNA collection from relatives of unidentified martyrs begins immediately after the launch ceremony. Photo: VGP/Thu Giang.
The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and local authorities were instructed to accelerate forensic analysis of unidentified remains while strengthening data sharing with the Ministry of Public Security for DNA comparison and identification.
The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology was also tasked with advancing research into new DNA technologies and expanding technology transfer to improve national identification capabilities.
The Deputy Prime Minister urged provincial and local authorities to strengthen outreach efforts encouraging relatives of fallen soldiers to provide information and DNA samples, while mobilizing both public funding and social resources to successfully achieve the objectives of the 500-day campaign.
Launching the nationwide campaign, Pham Thi Thanh Tra called on ministries, local governments, organizations, businesses and the Vietnamese people to join together in fulfilling this sacred mission.
"Let all of us act with the highest sense of responsibility, gratitude and determination toward those who sacrificed their lives for the nation," she said.
Immediately after the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra and delegates witnessed the collection of DNA samples from relatives of unidentified martyrs in Hanoi.
Alongside the DNA collection program, the event also provided medical examinations, healthcare services and free medicines for martyrs' relatives, further reinforcing the humanitarian spirit of the effort to restore the identities of those who sacrificed their youth for Vietnam's independence and freedom.
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