Wartime Files, Memorabilia Handed Over to Support Vietnam’s 500-Day Campaign to Locate Fallen Soldiers

Ho Chi Minh City's Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains on July 9 received wartime memorabilia and burial records from the research team for the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI) to support the "500-day campaign" to locate and identify fallen soldiers. The "500-day campaign" is a nationwide effort to recover and identify the remains of fallen soldiers. It is a race against time to identify those who remain unknown through DNA technology, involving central agencies, local authorities, organizations, and citizens across Vietnam, paying tribute to the nation's fallen heroes and their families. In connection with this campaign, by July 14, the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh had completed DNA sample collection from the remains of all unidentified war martyrs buried at 18 cemeteries across 15 localities. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung visited the Kim Bang Invalids Nursing Centre in the northern province of Ninh Binh ahead of the July 27 War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, extending warm regards and profound appreciation to invalids, sick soldiers, and revolutionary contributors nationwide. Hung stressed that caring for those who served the revolution should be reflected not only through policies but also through the responsibility of authorities at all levels, organizations, and every citizen. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam affirmed on July 15 that caring for revolutionary contributors is both a political responsibility and a moral obligation, calling for more comprehensive and timely policies to ensure that those who sacrificed for the nation receive the care and respect they deserve. Under Vietnam's one-party system, the inheritance of national historical memory and the commemoration of those who sacrificed for the nation play a crucial role in fostering national unity and patriotism. These initiatives are part of the government's ongoing efforts to ensure that memories of past wars are not forgotten and to strengthen citizens' loyalty to the country. Information source: VietnamPlus English