Dong Nai (VNA) – The remains of 62 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who lost their lives while carrying out international duties in Cambodia were repatriated, with a ceremony held in Vietnam's Dong Nai province on June 30.
The event, organised by the municipal Steering Committee 515, also marked the completion of the second phase of the 25th search and repatriation campaign (2025–2026) by Team K72 of the Dong Nai Military Command.
Over a 105-day mission from March 26 to June 30, Team K72 collected information, conducted field searches and excavations, and recovered the remains of 62 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Cambodia's Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang, head of Steering Committee 515, praised Team K72 for its dedication, professionalism and strong sense of responsibility in successfully completing the latest phase of the mission.
She urged the city Military Command, Steering Committee 515 and Team K72 to intensify communications and accelerate efforts to locate, recover and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Cambodia.
Hoang also called for closer cooperation between Team K72 and Metfone in publicising information to support the search for fallen soldiers in Kampong Thom and Kratie, helping bring more martyrs' remains home. She further requested relevant agencies to strengthen searches within Vietnam, particularly in areas where information on martyrs and burial sites is still available.
Lieutenant Colonel Vu Van Tho, head of Team K72, said the team had received strong support throughout the mission from the authorities, armed forces and people of Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces, along with Vietnamese organisations and businesses operating in Cambodia.
On the same day, the Steering Committee 515 of Tay Ninh province held a ceremony to receive the remains of 173 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts repatriated from Cambodia.
During the second phase of the 25th campaign, Teams K70, K71 and K73 carried out search and recovery missions in eight Cambodian provinces: Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Svay Rieng, Battambang and Pailin.
Although changes in terrain, the dwindling number of surviving witnesses and prolonged hot weather made the search increasingly difficult, the teams overcame the challenges through determination and close coordination with Cambodian authorities, armed forces and local communities.
Over 97 days, the three teams verified information, conducted field searches and recovered 331 sets of remains, including 207 by Team K71, 79 by Team K73 and 45 by Team K70.
Earlier, Tay Ninh held a memorial service and burial ceremony for 158 sets of remains recovered during the mid-phase of the campaign./.
