500-Day Campaign: 28 Martyrs’ Remains Repatriated from Two Lao Provinces

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Colonel Truong Viet Hai, Political Commissar of the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command and Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains in Quang Tri Province, speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

On May 21, the Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains of Quang Tri Province held a ceremony to welcome Teams 584 and 589 of the Political Department under the Provincial Military Command after they completed their mission in Laos during the 2025-2026 dry season and returned home.

During the 2025-2026 dry season, thanks to thorough preparations and strong support from local Party committees, authorities, armed forces, and people of various Lao ethnic groups, Teams 584 and 589 conducted surveys, gathered information, and recovered 28 sets of martyrs’ remains in the Lao provinces of Savannakhet and Khammouane.

The achievements of the two teams have made an important contribution to the effective implementation of the “500-Day Campaign to Intensify the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains” launched by the Government. They also continue to affirm the nation’s sense of responsibility, gratitude, and the enduring moral tradition of “remembering the source while drinking water” toward those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

In carrying out the mission to search for and recover the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos during the 2025-2026 dry season, Teams 584 and 589 quickly stabilized their operations immediately after arriving in the Lao provinces of Savannakhet and Khammouane. They promptly disseminated mission objectives, conducted field surveys, collected information, and organized search operations.

Although information about burial sites has become increasingly limited and the teams faced difficult terrain and severe weather conditions, officers and personnel of both teams consistently demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, solidarity, and determination in overcoming hardships to successfully fulfill their assigned tasks.

In addition to effectively carrying out their professional duties, the two teams also maintained strong discipline and organizational standards, improved camp facilities, promoted production activities to enhance soldiers’ living conditions, and carried out defense diplomacy and public outreach activities effectively, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Speaking at the ceremony, Colonel Truong Viet Hai, Political Commissar of the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command, acknowledged and highly praised the sense of responsibility and outstanding achievements attained by officers and personnel of Teams 584 and 589 during the 2025-2026 dry season.

He also requested the units to quickly stabilize all aspects of their operations, organize reviews and evaluations of the mission, pay close attention to policies and benefits for personnel, promptly commend collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, and proactively make thorough preparations for the search and recovery mission during the 2026–2027 dry season.

On this occasion, the Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains of Military Region 4, the Quang Tri Provincial Steering Committee, the Provincial Military Command, and the Department of Home Affairs of Quang Tri Province presented numerous gifts to encourage officers and personnel of Teams 584 and 589.

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