Dong Nai Holds Solemn Ceremony for 63 Martyrs' Remains

Dong Nai city solemnly honored 63 fallen soldiers whose remains were recently recovered, both within Vietnam and from Cambodia. A memorial service, including a requiem and burial, was held at Binh Phuoc Cemetery in Dong Tam commune on July 11. The ceremony marked the upcoming 79th anniversary of Vietnam War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

Government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang and Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Gau, Deputy Minister of National Defense, attended the service. They joined local leaders from Dong Nai city's Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee in paying respects to the heroes and martyrs.

During the ceremony, Nguyen Thi Hoang, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee and head of the city's Steering Committee 515, delivered a eulogy. She highlighted the city's ongoing commitment to searching for, collecting, and identifying martyrs' remains, as well as maintaining martyrs' cemeteries and memorial sites.

Since 2002, the K72 team from the Dong Nai Provincial Military Command has worked tirelessly, excavating thousands of locations and recovering 4,009 sets of remains. In June 2026 alone, the team successfully recovered 62 sets of remains from Cambodia and one within Vietnam. Due to the prolonged and intense nature of the war, the identities of these 63 martyrs remain unknown. However, two biological samples were collected, offering hope for identification through DNA analysis.

"From these few biological samples, along with the collection of DNA samples from relatives of unidentified martyrs being carried out nationwide, we hope to find their kin, bringing solace and easing the pain for the martyrs' families," Hoang shared emotionally. Deputy Prime Minister Thang and other leaders laid wreaths and lit incense, observing a moment of silence to express gratitude and remembrance for the fallen heroes.

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From these few biological samples, along with the collection of DNA samples from relatives of unidentified martyrs being carried out nationwide, we hope to find their kin, bringing solace and easing the pain for the martyrs' families.