On the morning of June 25, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra - Head of the National Steering Committee for searching, repatriating and identifying martyrs' remains chaired a conference to summarize the implementation of tasks in the first 6 months of 2026 and deploy directions and tasks for the last 6 months of 2026.
According to a report by the Ministry of National Defense, in the first 6 months of 2026, the search and repatriation of martyrs' remains continued to be strongly implemented. The Ministry of National Defense maintained the operation of 24 search and repatriation teams in Laos, Cambodia and in the country.
To date, units have searched and collected 1,255 sets of martyrs' remains, including 314 sets in the country, 173 sets in Laos, 768 sets in Cambodia and 3 mass graves in Tuyen Quang," the report cited data.
The work of clearing bombs and mines and explosives has also been accelerated with an area of more than 5,742ha, reaching over 25% of the plan; especially the core area of Vi Xuyen/Tuyen Quang reached nearly 59%.
Along with searching and repatriating, taking samples of martyrs' remains and biological products of martyrs' relatives is identified as a key task to serve identity identification using DNA technology.
The Ministry of National Defense has issued technical procedures for taking samples, transporting, handing over, preserving, and storing martyrs' remains; organized training nationwide.
To date, 7/7 military regions have completed the organization of work first, taking samples for more than 15,400 martyrs' graves; establishing 297 sample taking teams with more than 3,600 officials and employees participating. At the same time, collecting and storing 93,464 samples of biological products of martyrs' relatives, of which more than 53,000 samples have been analyzed and synchronized into the database.
The Ministry of Public Security also deployed a peak period of collecting DNA biological samples from relatives of unidentified martyrs; coordinated with experts to research and improve technical standards for collecting and preserving biological samples, and at the same time developed a project to expand the DNA library, improving DNA testing capacity to serve the identification of martyrs' remains.
The Ministry of Home Affairs directs the Departments of Home Affairs of provinces and cities to develop plans and coordinate with DNA testing units to organize testing of remains of martyrs and biological products of martyrs' relatives that are backlogged before the implementation time of the local government at 2 levels.
To date, DNA testing units have organized the receipt of 8,157 martyr remains samples from localities; the Military Forensic Institute has tested 92 samples (including 20 samples with gene sequencing results).
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that this work must be evaluated by "existing products", because this is not only a political task but also a specific manifestation of tradition and morality of gratitude to heroic martyrs.
It is not possible to just say that one has done this, one has done that, but it must be based on specific results," Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized, and at the same time requested all levels and sectors to change the method of implementation and promote the responsibility of the heads.
Government leaders requested that in the last 6 months of 2026, agencies and units continue to uphold the spirit of responsibility, focus highly, overcome limitations and obstacles, ensure the progress of the 500-day and night Campaign, towards celebrating the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day with specific and meaningful results.
