Quang Ngai (VNA) – In the central province of Quang Ngai, one of the localities with the largest number of unidentified war martyrs' graves, hundreds of officers, soldiers and specialists are pressing ahead with the nationwide 500-day campaign to collect biological samples and digitise grave records for DNA analysis, with the hope of restoring the names of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
At the martyrs' cemetery in Tra Cau ward, dozens of military and militia personnel, and doctors have worked from dawn till dusk for more than 10 consecutive days to collect samples for DNA testing. At the Pho An Martyrs' Cemetery, where 353 martyrs are buried, including 68 whose identities remain unknown, different forces have coordinated closely to ensure the work proceeds on schedule during the campaign's peak period.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Hoang, head of sampling team No. 3, said his unit has been assigned to collect samples from 2,598 graves across 11 eastern communes and wards of the province. According to him, the task has proved demanding. Many graves were relocated during previous renovation projects, with some shifted by more than one metre. While some still contain recoverable remains, others have deteriorated over time, limiting the availability of biological material. The harsh coastal weather has added further difficulties, with intense heat during the day followed by frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
To maintain progress, officers and soldiers often work through midday and resume excavation immediately after rainfall, continuing until evening. Every stage of the sampling process requires meticulous care and precision to preserve the integrity of the evidence.
Under temporary shelters erected to shield them from the scorching sun, members of the working teams rotate duties to cope with the physically demanding conditions. Major Colonel A Ka, a member of recovery team K53 under the provincial Military Command, said each participant performs assigned tasks with the highest sense of responsibility.
Taking part in this work is both a sacred mission and a great honour, he said, showing his hope that their efforts will help identify the martyrs as soon as possible and bring comfort to their families.
Working alongside the military throughout the campaign, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung from the Quang Ngai provincial Forensic Centre noted that many remains at cemeteries across the province have deteriorated after decades, making sample collection impossible. However, at the Pho An cemetery, a considerable number of intact teeth and bone fragments have been recovered, providing valuable material for DNA testing.
Hung stressed that strict procedures are followed at every stage, from sample collection during excavation to cleaning, packaging, preservation and transportation, ensuring there is no cross-contamination. The ultimate goal, he said, is to help restore the identities of those who laid down their lives for the country's independence and freedom.
Alongside sample collection, comprehensive digitisation of grave information is also underway. Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Duy Tra, a member of sampling team No. 3, said each grave is photographed, assigned a unique identification code and fully documented, including its location and excavation process. The resulting electronic records, together with biological samples and supporting images, are carefully cross-checked to ensure accuracy for DNA analysis while establishing a long-term digital management system for martyrs' cemeteries nationwide.
At the Quang Ngai provincial Martyrs' Cemetery in Nghia Giang commune, sampling and digitisation are also progressing rapidly.
According to Vice Chairman of the commune People's Committee Truong Van Trung, the commune manages three martyrs' cemeteries containing 540 unidentified graves, including 194 at the provincial cemetery alone. Local authorities have coordinated security arrangements, supported the sampling teams and will restore every grave to its original condition after the work is completed.
Thanks to strong coordination with local authorities and the determination of officers and soldiers, sampling team No. 4 is processing around 30 graves each day. At the current pace, work at the provincial cemetery is expected to finish about three days ahead of schedule, allowing additional time to restore the cemetery grounds before activities marking the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27).
Quang Ngai currently has 127 martyrs' cemeteries containing 37,689 graves, including 26 collective ones. Of these, 16,758 have complete information, 5,134 contain partial information, while 15,771 remain unidentified. Around 6,000 martyrs from the province have yet to have their remains located.
Under the 500-day campaign, the locality aims to collect biological samples from 13,650 graves by October. Beyond building a national DNA database for martyrs, the campaign offers renewed hope that thousands of unidentified heroes will one day regain their names and be reunited with their families and hometowns after decades of waiting.
During a recent inspection of the campaign at the provincial cemetery, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Y Ngoc described every DNA sample as "another hope" of returning a fallen son of Vietnam to his identity, homeland and family.
He called on local authorities to mobilise youth unions, women's associations and other mass organisations to support frontline personnel, while stressing that all sampling procedures must be conducted with scientific rigour and the utmost respect. Once completed, every grave, he said, must be carefully restored to its original condition, reflecting the nation's enduring gratitude to the martyrs./.
