Personnel from the martyrs' remains biological sample collection and digitisation teams work at Thới Bình Martyrs' Cemetery in Trí Phải Commune, Cà Mau Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Chanh Đa

CÀ MAU — Cà Mau Province has accelerated the search for and recovery and identification of martyrs’ remains, hoping to complete DNA sampling of all unidentified remains by the end of this year.

The activity is part of the nationwide "500 Days and Nights Campaign to Accelerate the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs' Remains", launched in preparation for the 80th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 2027).

The southernmost province is implementing a range of co-ordinated measures, including establishing a dedicated recovery team, calling on the public to provide information, and accelerating the collection of biological samples for DNA analysis.

On August 4, the province's Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains (Steering Committee 515) began collecting samples from more than 620 graves at Thới Bình Martyrs' Cemetery in Trí Phải Commune.

This was the third phase of a plan to identify the remains of unknown martyrs buried in martyrs' cemeteries across the province.

The martyrs' remains excavation team follows technical procedures during the recovery operation at Thới Bình Martyrs' Cemetery in Trí Phải Commune. — VNA/VNS Photo Chanh Đa

On August 3, the committee transferred 535 biological samples from unidentified martyrs’ remains at Phước Long Commune Martyrs’ Cemetery to the Institute of Forensic Science.

Before the samples were transported to Hà Nội for analysis, members of the Steering Committee 515 and local authorities offered flowers and incense in tribute to the fallen heroes.

According to the committee, 762 graves have been exhumed at Phước Long Commune Martyrs’ Cemetery and collected 535 biological samples in accordance with technical procedures since mid-July.

All sample records were digitised by specialised agencies before being handed over for analysis.

Ngô Vũ Thăng, deputy chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and head of the province's Steering Committee 515, said Cà Mau is implementing the "500 Days and Nights" campaign in line with central and provincial plans.

It aims to complete the collection of samples within 2026, ahead of the schedule set by the central authorities, he said.

He also called on departments, agencies, and local authorities to continue the task, strengthen public communication, accelerate the collection and verification of information, and mobilise the entire political system and the public to support the effort.

As of July 31, the province had exhumed 1,025 graves at two cemeteries in Trần Văn Thời and Phước Long communes and collected 772 samples that met the requirements for testing.

It aims to complete sampling of all 3,382 unidentified remains in the province this year.

Authorities in Phước Long Commune transfer samples from unidentified remains at the local Martyrs' Cemetery for DNA analysis on August 3. — VNA/VNS Photo Chanh Đa

Steering Committee 515 is intensifying efforts to search for and verify information about fallen soldiers.

On July 30, it issued an open letter calling on government agencies, organisations, war veterans, martyrs’ relatives, and people both in and outside the province to provide information on burial locations, collective and individual graves, landmarks, diaries, battlefield maps, memoirs, witness accounts, photographs, and other relevant documents to support the search.

It said all information would be received confidentially.

Based on information they collected, authorities have confirmed details relating to two martyrs’ graves in Biển Bạch Commune and recovered two others from a temporary cemetery in Hưng Mỹ Commune.

The province's Military Command has established a temporary Martyrs’ Remains Search and Recovery Team. — VNS