Vietnam Intensifies War-Missing Remains Search, US Businesses Encouraged to Support

Vietnam is intensifying its efforts to collect the remains of soldiers who perished in past wars. As of August 26, a total of 917 sets of remains had been recovered nationwide, with 264 teams involving 3,500 personnel engaged in the search. Samples have been collected from 159,370 graves, representing 74.9% of the target, with 109,897 graves eligible for sampling. Notably, Team K91 under the Dong Thap Provincial Military Command has recovered 114 sets of fallen soldiers’ remains, including 47 found in Cambodia and 67 within Vietnam, during the 500-day campaign. The Ho Chi Minh City Command also completed an urgent three-day search in Lac An 3 hamlet, recovering five sets of remains. These remains collection activities are positioned as crucial humanitarian efforts under Vietnam's one-party system, aimed at healing war scars and promoting national reconciliation. The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) is encouraging US businesses to support this initiative, suggesting a dimension of joint efforts on historical issues alongside the deepening economic ties between the two nations. Concurrently, amidst its continued economic growth, Vietnam is also strengthening ties with its over 6.5 million expatriates worldwide. Following Politburo Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW from 2004, a new Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW was adopted on August 2, 2026, focusing on mechanisms to unlock the full potential of the Vietnamese community abroad. This is part of Vietnam's strategy to drive economic development and enhance its international influence. Furthermore, Vietnam is cracking down on corruption, with police investigating alleged violations of accounting regulations and bribery at a medical company. This reflects the government's commitment to fostering a sound domestic economy and improving the investment environment. In addition, Vietnam is working to strengthen its international relations. Regarding ties with France, Vietnam's development in culture and economy is noted as attracting French public interest, which can be seen as a rise in Vietnam's soft power. Source: VietnamPlus English