The National Steering Committee on the search, retrieval, and identification of martyrs’ remains at the review conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — The remains of almost 17,000 soldiers have been collected over the past eight years.

Samples are being tested as part of projects to identify the fallen soldiers in an attempt to provide closure for their loved ones.

The data was released yesterday by the National Steering Committee on the search, retrieval and identification of martyrs’ remains.

The event reviewed the two projects on retrieving and identifying fallen soldiers for the 2013-2020 period, and defining the tasks and solutions for the 2021-2025 phase.

Head of the steering committee Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam, as well as high-level officials from the Ministry of National Defence, and the Ministry of Labours, Invalids and Social Affairs were in attendance.

Reports revealed that from 2013 until now, more than 17,000 martyrs’ remains were retrieved, which includes 8,000 in the country, over 2,000 in Laos, and 6,000 in Cambodia.

The country has received around 38,000 samples from the deceased soldiers and also from relatives of those who lost their lives in the hope of matching peoples' DNA, among which 23,000 samples have been analysed and stored.

A total of 4,000 cases with missing information were also identified.

Authorities have also verified and corrected information for 1,260 out of 1,736 graves at the Đắk Lắk martyr cemetery (accounting for 72.58 per cent of the graves with partial information, and 55.9 per cent of the total burials).

At the event, 2,749 individuals and units were praised for their outstanding achievements. 

Colonel General Võ Minh Lương, deputy head of the national steering committee said departments and units need to further promote this mission, while also collecting and analysing data on the martyrs, and deciphering wartime symbols and codes.

Deputy PM Vũ Đức Đam commended the proactive and innovative spirit of units, especially the officers and employees who directly worked on the mission to gather and identify the soldiers’ remains with determination, despite challenges and hardships. 

He said that it was necessary to further combine advanced information technology and biotechnology and apply new initiatives in collecting and receiving information related to the task.

He also noted that the localities need to focus on paying tribute and taking care of the martyrs’ families. — VNS