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Vietnam, US hold 169th repatriation ceremony for American MIA servicemen

At the ceremony, Vietnam handed over four boxes containing remains recovered during recent joint excavations in Hue city, and Quang Tri and Kon Tum provinces. Preliminary forensic analysis on April 15 suggested the remains may belong to US MIAs and they will be sent to Hawaii for further identification.

The signing ceremony for the handover of the remains. (Photo: VNA)
The signing ceremony for the handover of the remains. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the US on April 19 held the 169th repatriation ceremony for the remains of US servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the war in Vietnam.

The event, held in central Da Nang city, came ahead of two significant milestones: the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025), and the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the US (July 12, 1995 – 2025). It marked a long journey of reconciliation, normalisation and development of Vietnam–US relations into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP), the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, US Ambassador Marc Knapper, officials from the US Embassy, the MIA Office, US MIA specialists, and American veterans involved in the recent joint field mission.

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Four boxes containing remains handed over at the ceremony (Photo: VNA)

At the ceremony, Vietnam handed over four boxes containing remains recovered during recent joint excavations in Hue city, and Quang Tri and Kon Tum provinces. Preliminary forensic analysis on April 15 suggested the remains may belong to US MIAs and they will be sent to Hawaii for further identification.

Humanitarian cooperation on MIA recovery has been carried out since the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. So far, 735 of 1,973 US personnel listed as missing in the war have been identified and returned. These efforts have also supported post-war recovery, including US assistance in locating Vietnamese war martyrs, clearing unexploded ordnance, dioxin remediation, and support for war-affected persons./.

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