469 Unidentified Martyrs' Graves Excavated at Mai Dịch Cemetery

In Hanoi, Vietnam, authorities have begun a meticulous operation to excavate 469 unidentified martyrs' graves at Mai Dịch Cemetery. This initiative, part of a broader effort to identify fallen soldiers, involves collecting DNA samples for genetic analysis.

The excavation, led by the Hanoi Capital Command, commenced on August 7th. Soldiers are using advanced cutting and drilling equipment to carefully dismantle the grave structures, following precise technical procedures. The goal is to identify soldiers who sacrificed their lives nearly 80 years ago, providing closure for their families and honoring their service.

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However, with determination and responsibility, a command from the heart, we are determined to complete the sample collection mission as quickly as possible.

Major General Đào Văn Nhận, Commander of the Hanoi Capital Command, is personally overseeing the operation. He stated that 300 officers and soldiers, along with the command's most modern equipment, have been mobilized. Nhận acknowledged the challenges, noting that the martyrs were buried almost 80 years ago and the cemetery has undergone several renovations, making the exhumation more complex than in other locations. The long passage of time also presents difficulties in finding physical evidence to aid in sample collection.

Despite these challenges, Nhận expressed a strong commitment to completing the sample collection efficiently. He confirmed that nearly 100 graves have already had samples taken, and the team is determined to identify the remains within October. The process involves carefully excavating the soil to locate the burial sites, which are found at depths of over 2 meters from the current ground level. This extensive effort aims to bring clarity and recognition to soldiers whose identities have been lost to time.

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Currently, we have taken samples from nearly 100 martyrs' graves and are determined to strive to complete the sampling soon to determine the martyrs' information within October 2026.