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| Deputy Secretary of Hue City Party Committee, Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Le Tri Thanh concluded the conference |
DNA sample collection exceeded schedule, recovery of fallen soldiers’ remains expanded
Colonel Le Hong Viet, Political Commissar of Hue City Military Command, said that since the launch of the ‘500 Days and Nights Campaign’, Hue has completed the collection of DNA samples at 31 out of 42 martyrs’ cemeteries, with work now underway at the remaining three.
To date, search and recovery teams have exhumed 5,113 out of 7,283 graves requiring DNA sample collection, reaching 70.2% of the target. 2,685 samples have met the criteria for DNA analysis, including 1,681 that have been transferred to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology for testing. The city is on track to complete sample collection by August 2026, 8 months ahead of the deadline set by the National Steering Committee.
At the same time, the city police collected 1,975 of the targeted 2,000 DNA samples from relatives of fallen soldiers, achieving 98.75% of the target and surpassing the quota assigned by the Ministry of Public Security by 28.75%. Notably, DNA samples were collected at the homes of 137 elderly and infirm relatives through mobile sampling teams.
During the 2025-2026 dry season, Team 192 recovered the remains of 10 fallen soldiers, including 8 in Salavan Province, Laos, and two in Hue City. As a result of communication and public outreach efforts, the Steering Committee received 87 reports on the locations of fallen soldiers’ graves in Vietnam and overseas, which will be used for verification, site surveys, and subsequent search operations.
Under the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing for the biological children of resistance fighters exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin, the city has approved housing assistance for 82 households, including the construction of 39 new homes and the renovation of 43 others.
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| Colonel Le Hong Viet, Political Commissar of the City Military Command, delivering remarks at the conference |
As of July 26, construction was completed on 19 newly built houses and 33 repaired homes, while work on the remaining projects was being expedited. The City Military Command mobilized over 1,035 workdays contributed by officers, soldiers, and militia and self-defense force members to support the construction and repair of homes for policy beneficiary families.
However, the implementation process has continued to face numerous challenges. According to Colonel Le Hong Viet, the war ended decades ago; many witnesses are no longer alive, the terrain and battlefield traces have changed, and archival records remain incomplete and inconsistent, making the verification and search for fallen soldiers’ graves particularly difficult. The proportion of biological samples eligible for DNA analysis at some cemeteries also remains low because the remains and associated artifacts have deteriorated over time.
Regarding the collection of DNA samples from relatives of fallen soldiers, more than 500 cases remain uncollected due to relatives living outside the locality, old age, poor health, or incomplete personal information.
Regarding the temporary and dilapidated housing elimination program, the biggest challenge is that funding support from the central government has yet to be disbursed. Meanwhile, local authorities have had to advance funds and mobilize contractors and building material suppliers to keep the project on schedule.
Mobilizing the entire political system to join hands
Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Le Tri Thanh acknowledged the efforts of relevant forces in implementing the ‘500-Day and Night’ Campaign, while also recognizing the challenges posed by the specific conditions of search areas both within Vietnam and in Laos, which have caused results to fall short of expectations.
Chairman Le Tri Thanh endorsed the City Police’s proposal to review the outcomes of the intensive campaign on collecting DNA samples from relatives of fallen soldiers, allowing for timely recognition and commendation of outstanding collectives and individuals. He also tasked the City Military Command with working with the Department of Home Affairs to launch a focused communication campaign to encourage residents to provide information about fallen soldiers and their graves, while engaging the entire political system in the effort. Information collection should be carried out through accessible and efficient channels, with proper screening and verification procedures in place to restrict inaccurate information.
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| Team 192 of Hue City Military Command collecting and relocating the remains of a fallen soldier in Huong Thuy Railway Station area, Chau Son Residential Group, Huong Thuy Ward. Photo: Quang Dao |
Regarding cases in which relatives had not been included in the DNA sample collection list, or identified graves of fallen soldiers had not yet been reflected in official records, Mr. Le Tri Thanh requested relevant agencies to promptly review the cases and coordinate with central ministries and agencies to develop suitable measures, thereby safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of fallen soldiers’ families.
“We must spare no effort and do everything within our capacity. The outcome depends on many objective factors, but we must remain determined to carry out this task with the highest sense of responsibility,” Mr. Le Tri Thanh stressed.
Regarding the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing, Chairman Le Tri Thanh directed authorities to proactively utilize available funding sources to support localities in carrying out construction, ensuring that the projects remain on schedule without delays.
“It is not enough to simply complete the construction of houses; we must also pay attention to providing support so that families have the minimum living conditions needed to soon settle into a stable life,” Chairman Le Tri Thanh stressed.