Vietnam Begins Search for Martyrs' Remains in Laos, Cambodia

The K53 team under the Military Command of Quang Ngai province has commenced its mission to search for and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese martyrs in Laos and Cambodia during the 2026-2027 dry season. The team comprises 67 officers and soldiers, divided into three groups. Two groups will conduct searches in southern Laos (Champasak, Attapeu, and Sekong provinces) and Cambodia's Rattanakiri province, while the third group will operate within Quang Ngai province. During the mission, the K53 team will closely coordinate with local authorities and armed forces in Laos and Cambodia to survey search areas, verify information, and search for, recover, and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese martyrs. The objective is to recover at least 20 sets of remains during the 2026-2027 dry season, contributing to the implementation of the '500-day campaign'. Y Ngoc, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ngai People’s Committee, praised the team's responsibility and efforts in previous missions while acknowledging the difficulties involved in searching for martyrs' remains in neighboring countries. She urged the K53 team and relevant agencies to improve information collection and verification, and to adopt flexible, scientific, and targeted search methods suited to each area. She also called for close coordination with authorities, armed forces, and local people in Laos and Cambodia. Y Ngoc stressed the need to ensure absolute safety for personnel and equipment and to strictly comply with Vietnamese law as well as the laws and regulations of the host countries. She also requested relevant agencies to provide adequate logistical, technical, and financial support to the team, ensuring favorable conditions for its mission. During the 2025-2026 dry season, the K53 team recovered 16 sets of martyrs’ remains in Laos and Cambodia, which were brought home for reburial at Ngoc Hoi Martyrs’ Cemetery in Quang Ngai. Source: KPL Laos News