Repatriating war martyrs' remains in central Quảng Trị Province in November 2025. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà has ordered the application of science and technology in the search for and repatriation of martyrs’ remains.

She made the request while attending the ceremonial launch of a 500-day campaign to accelerate the search, identification and repatriation of martyrs’ remains at the Quảng Trị Citadel special national relic site.

The campaign started on March 15 and will run until July 27, 2027, marking the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

The deputy PM said the effort to repatriate martyrs’ remains is not just a professional task, but a profound expression of the national tradition of remembering the source while drinking water.

She asked ministries, sectors and localities to implement the campaign seriously, comprehensively and responsibly, identifying it as a particularly important political task for the entire political system, especially among members of steering committees at all levels.

Each ministry, sector and locality must urgently develop concrete plans aligned with their functions and practical conditions, and establish strict and effective mechanisms to monitor progress.

Trà also asked ministries and sectors to focus on building and digitising databases to ensure accuracy and effective data sharing.

She also called for the use of digital mapping in identifying search areas and applying biotechnology, especially expanded DNA testing.

The deputy PM said the military must continue to play a core role, particularly in zoning, identifying key areas and deploying specialised forces. Special attention must be paid to collecting and verifying information from veterans and historical witnesses, while strengthening communication efforts to raise public awareness.

She told the ministries and localities to enhance international cooperation, particularly with Laos and Cambodia, and expand partnerships with international counterparts in information exchange, technical and technological support and experience sharing.

The 500-day campaign to accelerate the search, identification and repatriation of martyrs’ remains aims to repatriate approximately 7,000 martyrs by taking around 18,000 samples from unidentified graves in martyrs’ cemeteries nationwide and conducting DNA analysis on them.

It also seeks to build and operationalise a genetic database of martyrs and their relatives whose identities currently remain unknown to support identification efforts.

Under the same initiative, mine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts will be accelerated to facilitate search and repatriation activities and focus on key areas, including the Vị Xuyên area in Tuyên Quang Province, parts of Lào Cai and Lạng Sơn, and other locations with information on martyrs’ graves. — VNS