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DNA Identification Advances Vietnam War Martyrs' Remains, Fulfilling Family Wishes
In Vietnam's Thanh Hoa province, DNA identification technology is advancing the identification of remains of war martyrs whose identities have been unknown for years. This allows families to fulfill their long-held wish of reuniting with their loved ones' remains and reburying them in their homeland. The province is intensifying efforts to identify approximately 37,000 martyrs.
In Vietnam's central Thanh Hoa province, advancements in science and technology, particularly the application of DNA identification, are facilitating the identification of remains of war martyrs, helping families fulfill their long-held wishes. The province is home to approximately 56,000 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for national liberation, international duty, and homeland defense. Of these, over 37,000 lack sufficient information to connect them with their relatives. A recent case highlighted this progress: the remains of Mr. Le Dong Coi, believed to have died in fierce fighting in the southern battlefield in 1973, were identified through DNA analysis after more than half a century of searching. His remains were interred in a martyrs' cemetery in Can Tho province. DNA samples collected from his relatives by Thanh Hoa provincial police confirmed the familial relationship, allowing his family to transfer his remains to his hometown in Tan Ninh commune for a memorial service and reburial. Similarly, the remains of Mr. Nguyen Trong Cat were identified through DNA analysis, bringing relief to his family who had long worried about him. Mr. Nguyen Trong Bay, Mr. Cat's younger brother, expressed that his parents passed away still longing for news of their son, but this identification has allowed him to fulfill their dying wish. Thanh Hoa province is accelerating its efforts in identifying martyrs, having collected DNA samples from over 38,000 relatives. The province is also widely soliciting financial support for DNA sample analysis, utilizing advanced DNA sequencing technology in collaboration with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The province aims to complete the DNA sampling for 2,932 unidentified martyrs buried in cemeteries across the province by the first quarter of 2027. Thanh Hoa province is also promoting initiatives such as housing support for martyrs' families and those affected by chemical warfare agents, as well as the "Gratitude for Merits" (Đền ơn, đáp nghĩa) movement. This year alone, the province has allocated nearly 45 billion VND (approximately 2 million USD) for gifts to individuals with meritorious contributions and their relatives. Source: Nhan Dan
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Nhan Dan