Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the US jointly held the 173rd repatriation ceremony for the possible remains thought to be associated with a US service member missing in action (MIA) during the war in Vietnam on July 2.
The ceremony took place in Da Nang city with the participation of representatives from both sides, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the event, Vietnam handed over one box of remains recovered during a recent joint Vietnam – US excavation in Dan Hoa commune of Quang Tri province.
On June 30, forensic experts from both countries conducted a joint examination and made a preliminary assessment that the remains could be linked to a US service member missing during the war in Vietnam.
The remains will be transferred to the US Department of Defence's POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) forensic laboratory in Hawaii for further analysis and identification.
The handover was marked by the presence of senior US military officials, reflecting the importance the US Government attaches to MIA efforts while recognising Vietnam's goodwill and sustained humanitarian support.
On June 23, Acting US Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao visited a joint MIA excavation site in Truong Ninh commune, Quang Tri province, on the occasion of his attendance at the Pacific Partnership 2026 programme.
Speaking to reporters, the official thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their continued assistance in searching for missing US personnel. He described the cooperation achievements in addressing the war legacy as a clear example of the two countries' shared commitment to leaving the past behind and building a better future, helping heal the wounds of war over the past decades. He also reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining long-term support for war legacy settlement programmes in Vietnam.
Humanitarian efforts to seek US MIA service members in Vietnam began shortly after the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973 and have led to the identification and repatriation of remains belonging to about 740 US service members.
The cooperation has also contributed to broader bilateral efforts to address the consequences of war, including US support for the search for and identification of the remains of missing Vietnamese martyrs, unexploded ordnance clearance, dioxin remediation, and assistance for people with war-related disabilities./.
