Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) on July 26 announced the DNA test results verifying 99 war martyrs who died in the field of jars in the Lao province of Xieng Khouang.
This is the fourth batch of war martyrs whose names were known owing to DNA tests. The first, second and third DNA tests together identified 143 war martyrs.
In 2012, the national liaison board for families of volunteer soldiers and military experts who died in the jar fields in Xieng Khoang submitted a request for forensic tests on 1,179 remains of volunteer soldiers and military experts died in Xieng Khoang. The remains were repatriated and reburied in the Vietnam-Laos Friendship War Martyrs Cemetery in Anh Son district, central Nghe An province.
Between November 29, 2012 and January 5, 2013, forensic workers had collected DNA samples taken from 1,804 remains of volunteer soldiers and military experts at the Vietnam-Laos Friendship War Martyrs Cemetery and analysed 696 set of remains. The DNA work will continue on the rest of remains in a bid to return the correct names to the martyrs.
At the ceremony, MoLISA Deputy Minister Doan Mau Diep said the DNA tests is a practical work of paying respect to those who died for the nation-building cause and for international missions as well.
There are more than 1 million martyrs laid to rest in 3,077 war cemeteries across Vietnam, of which over 300,000 remains have yet to be fully identified.
An estimated 200,000 martyrs, including volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos and Cambodia, have yet to be found.
Dao Ngoc Loi, Deputy Head of the Department of National Devotees, said the project to identify the remains of unknown martyrs has been carried out since 2011.
The MoLISA has been coordinating with ministries and sectors to complete the database on martyrs and cemeteries with a view of identifying around 20 percent of the remains of unknown martyrs by 2020.-VNA
See more
Programme brings Tet atmosphere to Vietnamese peacekeepers
Blue-beret Vietnamese officers and soldiers who are on duties in UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Abyei on the border of South Sudan and Sudan, the Central African Republic, and at the UN Headquarters in New York, joined warm moments with their comrades and relatives at home during an online exchange programme on January 15, celebrating the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival.
Sa Dec city kicks off 2025 spring flower festival
Sa Dec city in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on January 14 kicked off its 2025 Spring Flower Festival, hoped to become a magnet for visitors from far and wide as the Lunar New Year (Tet) is coming.
Exchange festival between Vietnamese, Chinese border residents held
A series of activities for the border people exchange festival and the Year of China-Vietnam Humanistic Exchange 2025 kicked off in Malipo county, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province of China on January 13 evening.
Notice of Office Auction in Hanoi
The Vietnam News Agency will conduct an auction for office leasing at No. 79 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Over 220kg wartime bomb detonated in Binh Phuoc
Military sappers in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on January 14 safely moved and detonated a wartime bomb weighing 227kg found in Bom Bo commune, Bu Dang district.
Ben Tre works hard to handle ‘three no’s’ fishing vessels
The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre will continue to strongly implement key tasks in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, especially completing the registration of ‘three no’s’ fishing vessels, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
Vietnamese in Laos celebrate Lunar New Year
The General Association of Vietnamese People (GAVP) in Laos hosted a programme to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival 2025 in Vientiane on January 13 evening, gathering representatives from its member oganisations in Lao localities.
Tet Viet Festival opens in HCM City
The Tet Viet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) Festival opened in Ho Chi Minh City on January 13, packed with various celebration activities, all infused with the distinct cultural identity of the nation, aiming to spread the values and spirit of traditional culture.
UNFPA, KOICA pledge continued support to Vietnam to eliminate gender-based violence
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has allocated 5.5 million USD to fund two news projects to support the Government of Vietnam with technical and financial support from UNFPA to address gender-based violence against women and girls, especially marginalised groups such as people living with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities.
New child adoption regulations to see assessments every six months
The People's Committee at the commune level will conduct a review every six months to assess whether children without any obvious family can be considered for adoption.
NHK to introduce Vietnamese language service to audience
Japan's public media organisation, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), will host an event “Discover Japan with NHK World-Japan from January 17 to 23 at Aeon Mall Ha Dong in Hanoi to introduce its Vietnamese language and external information services to the general public in Vietnam.
Former legislators, associates sentenced in major corruption case
The People’s Court of the northern province of Thai Binh on January 13 handed down verdicts to former National Assembly deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van as well as their associates for extorting property and abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain.
Eighteen Vietnamese fishermen aboard sunken ship to return home soon
Eighteen Vietnamese fishermen onboard cargo vessel Dolphin 18 which encountered an incident at sea have safely entered Malaysia, the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia reported.
Vietnamese students in France promote cultural values through Tet celebration
Vietnamese students in Rennes, France, celebrated Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025 with a recent vibrant cultural event.
Vietnamese people in Malaysia, Thailand celebrate Tet
The Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) space, jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia and the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA), officially opened at bbpark, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur capital city on January 11, marking the first time it has been held outside the premises of the embassy.
Vietnamese in Sweden, Latvia promote national cultural values
The Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden and Latvia on January 11 organised a get-together themed Homeland Spring 2025 on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet), which falls late this month.
Book about China-Vietnam friendship debuted in Nanning
A book entitled “ Guangxi Narrative on China-Vietnam Friendship” has been launched in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China.
Vietnamese youths in Japan hold congress
The Vietnam Youths and Students Association (VYSA) in Japan convened its congress for the 2025-2026 tenure in Tokyo on January 11.
Laos honours Hoa Binh collectives, individuals for education project
The Lao Government on January 11 bestowed various prestigious rewards on individuals and collectives in the northern province of Hoa Binh for their contributions to the construction of a high school in Huameuang district, Houaphanh province.
Tet greetings extended to soldiers, people on Ly Son Island
A delegation from the Naval Region 3 Command visited and delivered Tet (Lunar New Year) greetings and provisions to officers, soldiers and people on the outpost island of Ly Son, the central province of Quang Ngai, on January 11.