Dong Nai lays 63 fallen soldiers to rest, including 62 remains repatriated from Cambodia

Of the 63 sets of remains, 62 were repatriated from Cambodia and one was recovered in Vietnam.

The ceremony took place at Binh Phuoc Martyrs' Cemetery in Dong Nai and included an incense offering ceremony to commemorate the fallen ahead of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947-2026).

Among those attending were Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang; Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Gau, who is deputy head of the National Steering Committee for the Search for, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs' Remains (Steering Committee 515); local leaders, other officials, and residents.

At the event, Party officials, military personnel, local authorities, and residents paid tribute to fallen soldiers who died during wartime in Vietnam and Cambodia before their remains were laid to rest.

In her eulogy, Nguyen Thi Hoang, deputy chairwoman of the Dong Nai administration and head of the municipal Steering Committee 515, expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers whose remains were recovered during the latest search mission.

“We, the fortunate generation living in peace, respectfully bow our heads to offer wreaths and incense in tribute to you, our fallen heroes, whose youth remains forever at the age of twenty,” Hoang said, expressing deep gratitude for the soldiers' sacrifice.

She said Dong Nai has consistently prioritized the search for, recovery, and identification of fallen soldiers, as well as the maintenance and restoration of martyrs' cemeteries and memorial sites.

From 2002 to 2026, Team K72, a search and recovery unit under the Dong Nai Military Command, overcame numerous challenges while searching thousands of locations for the remains of fallen soldiers.

Its efforts have led to the recovery of more than 4,000 sets of remains of Vietnamese soldiers who died in wars both in Vietnam and abroad.

The recovered remains were reburied at Binh Phuoc Martyrs’ Cemetery.

In the first six months of 2026 alone, Team K72 recovered 63 sets of remains, including 62 repatriated from Cambodia and one recovered in Vietnam.

Because of the intensity and prolonged nature of the wars, the identities and hometowns of all 63 soldiers remain unknown.

However, biological samples from two sets of remains were suitable for DNA testing.

“From these limited biological samples, together with the nationwide collection of DNA samples from relatives of unidentified fallen soldiers, we hope to locate family members and bring some comfort and consolation to the families who have endured such profound loss,” Hoang said.

She said no opportunity or available method would be overlooked despite the challenges ahead.

Team K72, she added, will continue searching for fallen comrades until there is no further information to pursue.