On their journey to recover unfinished memories, officers and soldiers of the Search and Collection Team for the remains of fallen soldiers under the Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command silently traverse mountains and forests every day. For them, it is not just a duty, but a command from the heart, a sacred promise to their comrades.

In November 2025, we followed the task force to Hill 211, Giang Nam village, Thanh Thuy commune. The forest path was steep and slippery after the last rains of the season. Silent footsteps followed one another, clinging to the mountainside, following the meager information gathered over the years. After many days of perseverance, four sets of remains of fallen soldiers were found.

Crossing mountains and traversing forests, officers and soldiers of the Search and Collection Team for the remains of fallen soldiers of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command are persistently bringing their comrades back to their homeland.

Amidst the treacherous terrain, the excavation work was carried out carefully and meticulously. Layer after layer of earth and rock was removed, and each artifact was handled with care. No one spoke much; only concentration and silent emotion prevailed.

Colonel Nguyen Minh Khoi, Deputy Political Commissar of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command, who was directly in charge at the scene, said: “The search area has complex terrain, causing many difficulties. But overcoming all obstacles, the officers and soldiers remain persistent and meticulous in every step, with the highest sense of responsibility.”

The moment they were lifted from the ground left everyone present speechless. On the steep mountainside, the stretchers were passed from hand to hand. Those ahead scouted the way, those behind kept pace. The mountain wind howled, and sweat soaked through their shirts. No one stopped.

Officers and soldiers meticulously exhumed and collected the remains of fallen soldiers at the site.

I still remember the biting cold of January 2026. In Sinh Tung Chu village, Dong Van commune, from fragmented information, through cross-referencing records, meeting with witnesses and relatives of fallen soldiers, the unit collected four more sets of remains.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Kien, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the Provincial Military Command, directly supervised the work. Among these, there were 3 sets of remains whose identities have not yet been determined, initially believed to belong to the 21st Special Forces Battalion, former Military Command of Ha Tuyen Province. Notably, one set of remains has been identified as that of martyr Ha Tien Quyet, who died in 1984.

After more than 40 years, one soldier was finally called by name and returned to his family and hometown. But three other soldiers remain unaccounted for, their names unknown. This incomplete return only fuels the search for soldiers today. Because in battle, they fought side-by-side; in peacetime, they cannot leave their comrades behind.

These days, deep within the Nam Ngat forest in Thanh Thuy commune, a special road is being built leading to Hill 685. It's not just a road through the forest and over rocky terrain, but also a journey back to the memories of the war.

Each remains of a fallen soldier returned represents the fulfillment of a promise to their comrades, continuing the spirit of gratitude and the moral principle of "remembering the source when drinking water."

Without detailed maps or precise coordinates, today's soldiers rely on the memories of veterans. According to accounts, there used to be a large cave on the eastern slope of Hill 685. During a fierce bombing raid, the cave entrance collapsed, burying approximately 15 to 18 officers and soldiers. These fragmented memories, accumulated over the years, became "living coordinates," guiding the search.

Major Doan Viet Tuan, a non-commissioned officer in the team searching for and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers, shared: “The journey to open the path was extremely arduous. Some days, fog covered the mountain slopes, reducing visibility to only a few meters. The ground was slippery, and the forest was dense. Some sections were steep, forcing the team to cut down trees to make ladders and tie ropes to themselves to cling to the rock face. Despite the hardship and danger, no one lost heart, because everyone hoped to find their comrades soon.”

Behind those persistent efforts lie numbers that cause deep concern. The entire province of Tuyen Quang has 4,267 martyrs; of which only 3,100 remains have been collected. 1,167 martyrs remain undiscovered. Each number represents a gap in the records, and also a gap that cannot yet be filled in the hearts of their relatives and comrades.

Incense sticks were lit amidst the mountains and forests, silently paying tribute to the fallen soldiers whose remains had just been found.

To accelerate progress, Tuyen Quang province is preparing the conditions for the implementation of the "500 Days and Nights" campaign with high determination. Vice Chairman of the Tuyen Quang Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee 515, Vuong Ngoc Ha, emphasized: "The work must be carried out with a clear roadmap, strictly monitored according to the '6 clear' principles, ensuring no areas are overlooked and absolute safety is guaranteed. At the same time, the application of science and technology, especially DNA testing, is a crucial solution to restore the names of unidentified martyrs."

Amidst the high mountains and deep forests of the Tuyen Quang border region, today's soldiers continue their journey silently. And as long as there are martyrs yet to return to their homeland, that journey will continue, as an extension of the nation's sense of duty, responsibility, and the principle of "drinking water and remembering the source."

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/vuot-nui-bang-rung-dua-dong-doi-ve-voi-dat-me-1035109