Efforts to search for and identify the remains of soldiers who died in Vietnam's struggle for independence are now entering a more progressive new chapter. Driven by the moral spirit of "drinking water, remembering the source," the local government is mobilizing all sectors, from the military and police to the scientific community, to fulfill a historical responsibility toward tens of thousands of martyrs whose identities remain a mystery.
To date, an estimated 175,000 remains have yet to be found, while another 300,000 have been recovered but their identities remain unconfirmed. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of War Veterans Day in 2027, the government has launched a 500-day campaign as a national acceleration initiative. This step includes massive biological data collection and systematic integration across various ministries to ensure every family receives closure regarding their loved ones.
The main breakthrough in this humanitarian mission lies in the application of next-generation gene sequencing technology, or Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) using the SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) method. According to Associate Professor Dr. Phi Quyet Tien from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, this technology surpasses the limitations of conventional mitochondrial DNA testing. Its ability to analyze DNA samples severely degraded by environmental factors enables identification even when immediate relatives are difficult to find.
The advantage of NGS-SNP lies in its high accuracy in determining kinship up to the third or fourth generation. Through the integration of a national DNA database currently under development, each new sample can be automatically matched against the existing database. This scientific innovation is not merely a technical tool, but an emotional bridge reconnecting the families of martyrs with their heroes after a wait of more than half a century.
The Vietnamese government emphasized that this commitment is not just an administrative task, but a manifestation of the nation's deep gratitude for the sacrifices of its fighters. With cross-sectoral collaboration and cutting-edge technological support, the dream of bringing all martyrs home to their families now stands a significantly higher chance of success.
