The 500-day campaign to identify fallen soldiers.

In response to the "500-Day Campaign," Lam Dong province is urgently implementing a comprehensive range of solutions, determined to accelerate the search, collection, and DNA sampling to identify the remains of fallen soldiers.

Officers and soldiers of the armed forces light incense at the graves of heroes and martyrs at the Da Lat Martyrs' Cemetery.

4,845 DNA samples were collected.

Implementing the "500-Day Campaign to Intensify the Search, Collection, and Identification of Martyrs' Remains," the province aims to collect DNA samples from nearly 4,845 unidentified graves. From 2026 to 2030, the province will implement two phases of searching, collecting, and identifying the remains of martyrs.

In Phase I (from Q2/2026 to July 2027), the province aims to locate and collect approximately 150 remains of fallen soldiers. The province will complete the sampling of unidentified graves at martyrs' cemeteries and the newly discovered and collected remains.

In Phase II (from July 2027 to December 2030), the province will continue searching for approximately 100 fallen soldiers' remains. The province will complete the sampling of graves with some information but whose identities have not yet been determined; verify, supplement, and correct missing information on fallen soldiers' graves using empirical methods.

Comrade Dinh Van Tuan - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee 515 - affirmed that searching for, gathering, and identifying the remains of martyrs is an extremely difficult and complex task, requiring high political determination, the involvement of the entire political system, and the support of the people. The province is focusing resources and coordinating closely with relevant forces to collect samples and conduct DNA testing in a scientific, rigorous, and compliant manner.”

The Provincial Steering Committee 515 has established 11 specialized teams to survey, search for, and collect the remains of fallen soldiers, and 11 teams to carry out the sampling of fallen soldiers' remains. The Provincial Military Command, acting as the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee 515, has proactively advised and implemented many key tasks. The unit has conducted training and professional development for the sampling teams; and coordinated with the Department of Interior and local authorities to review and compile statistics on the graves of fallen soldiers whose identities have not yet been determined.

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Quang, Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, said: “This is a new task, unprecedented, implemented in a short time; the actual conditions are still very difficult. Therefore, we have conducted surveys of the actual situation at martyrs' cemeteries in the province to prepare for the procedures for collecting DNA samples from fallen soldiers.”

After thorough investigation, the Provincial Steering Committee 515 selected the Duc Linh Commune Martyrs' Cemetery as the site for sample collection. This is currently the resting place of 298 heroic martyrs. Among them, 55 graves remain unidentified.

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After working closely with the survey teams of the Steering Committee 515, the locality has developed a specific plan to facilitate DNA sampling. The locality has proactively prepared logistical plans and maintained security and order throughout the implementation process...

Comrade Huynh Van Tinh - Secretary of the Party Committee of Duc Linh commune.

Officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces commemorate the heroic martyrs. Photo by Nguyen Luan.

Ensure that no errors occur.

Under the scorching sun, officers and soldiers of the Provincial Military Command are diligently conducting thorough inspections. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Truong Giang, Head of the Policy Department of the Provincial Military Command, said: “The graves of martyrs here have complete grave number, row, and lot markings, facilitating the sampling process for DNA testing. The structure of the graves is suitable for excavation, sampling, and restoration to their original state. We have been at the martyrs' cemetery for a week now to prepare as best as possible for the sampling process, ensuring no errors occur.”

At the site, data updating and information digitization will be carried out continuously in stages to fully supplement the data system, ensuring the ability to monitor, compare, and manage information throughout the sampling process. After the sampling process at Duc Linh Martyrs' Cemetery, specialized units will evaluate and draw lessons from the procedures and methods of implementation, thereby deploying them synchronously and effectively at other martyrs' cemeteries in the province.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/chien-dich-500-ngay-dem-xac-dinh-danh-tinh-liet-si-445743.html