On the afternoon of August 11, the Military Command of Lam Dong province - the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee 515 - said that it had completed the campaign to take DNA samples of martyrs' remains, 3 months ahead of the deadline assigned by the province, which is November 15, 2026.
Implementing the "Operation of 500 days and nights to promote the search, gathering and identification of martyrs' remains", the Steering Committee of 515 provinces has mobilized forces to synchronously deploy the search, gathering and sampling of martyrs' remains in the area.
Regarding the search and repatriation work, so far functional forces have repatriated 13 sets of remains of martyrs and continue to survey the area based on the information provided.
Regarding DNA sampling work, at 11 martyrs' cemeteries in the province, there are 4,776 graves with unidentified information.
The forces excavated 100% of these graves and collected 3,625 sets of remains for DNA testing, reaching 75.9%.
Some cases after excavation do not collect biological samples or samples that do not meet the conditions for DNA testing, mainly because the remains have completely decomposed after decades.
According to the Provincial Steering Committee 515, the implementation process is carried out urgently and closely from reviewing the list, determining the location of graves to excavating, taking samples, preserving and completing dossiers for appraisal.
The forces also ensure professional requirements, while maintaining the solemnity of the martyrs' graves.
The completion of the campaign 3 months early is the result of the efforts of participating forces, and also shows the determination to accelerate the progress of identifying martyrs who are still missing information.
After completing the sampling, specialized agencies will continue to conduct DNA testing and comparison with the samples of the martyr's relatives.
Through this, step by step identify the names of martyrs who have sacrificed but have not been able to identify information for many years.
In the coming time, Steering Committee 515 of Lam Dong province will continue to coordinate with functional agencies to conduct DNA testing and comparison; and at the same time promote the search, repatriation and identification of remains of martyrs who lack information, contributing to the good implementation of the military rear policy and the "Gratitude" work.
