Colonel Duong Quoc Long, Deputy Political Commissar of the Dien Bien Provincial Military Command, said that, driven by the desire to restore the identities of the fallen and reunite the nation's heroes with their families, officers and soldiers across the Provincial Military Command are united in accelerating excavation and DNA sampling work at the cemeteries.
Currently, the teams are carrying out excavation and DNA sampling at Doc Lap Martyrs’ Cemetery in Thanh Nua Commune, where 600 graves have been excavated. Of these, 534 yielded DNA samples, while 66 graves did not meet the conditions required for sampling.
Across Dien Bien Province, 2,054 graves remain to be excavated and sampled.
From August 6 to September 30, 2026, there are 54 days remaining to complete the mission. To meet the deadline, the teams must excavate and collect DNA samples from nearly 40 graves each day, including weekends.
“We are fully aware of the many challenges ahead. Both Doc Lap and A1 Martyrs’ Cemeteries have distinct geological conditions, were established many years ago and have undergone several rounds of renovation. Nevertheless, every officer and soldier involved in the sampling mission is determined to devote their utmost efforts in the hope of restoring the identities of our fallen heroes during the 500-Day Campaign of Gratitude,” Colonel Duong Quoc Long said.
According to the excavation and DNA sampling teams of the Dien Bien Provincial Military Command, as of the end of August 5, they had completed the excavation of 2,540 out of 4,594 graves, of which 2,356 yielded samples suitable for DNA analysis. The remaining 2,054 graves are now the focus of intensified efforts to accelerate progress.
