The search and repatriation of martyrs’ remains in Minh Duc Commune, Dong Nai City, is a practical activity marking the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27, 1947–2026).
A report on the search for martyrs’ remains in Dong Nai City affirmed that the work had been carried out regularly by authorities at all levels, sectors and the armed forces, achieving many notable results. This has upheld the nation’s traditions of “When drinking water, remember its source” and “Showing gratitude to those who rendered service to the nation”, helping ease the pain of martyrs’ relatives and fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of their families and the people.
The mission also contributes to supplementing and completing historical records; supports the identification of martyrs’ remains using modern scientific methods when conditions permit; and raises awareness and responsibility among authorities at all levels, sectors, localities and society as a whole regarding the search and repatriation of martyrs’ remains.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that this was an activity of profound political, social and humanitarian significance, reflecting the Vietnamese nation’s traditions of “When drinking water, remember its source” and “Showing gratitude to those who rendered service to the nation”. It also demonstrated the responsibility, affection and boundless gratitude of the Party, State, army and people towards those who devoted their entire youth to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and the happiness of the people.
According to General Phan Van Giang, under the “500-day-and-night campaign to accelerate the search, repatriation and identification of martyrs’ remains”, the army has established more than 30 teams and reinforced search and repatriation units; set up working groups to collect information at grassroots level; organised specialised teams to collect samples from martyrs’ remains; held numerous seminars to verify information; and applied ground-penetrating radar, digital technology and management software to maximise support for the search, repatriation and identification of martyrs’ remains for which information remains incomplete.
With the highest sense of responsibility, after more than four months of implementing the “500-day-and-night campaign”, nearly 1,500 sets of martyrs’ remains and seven mass graves have been recovered nationwide. Notably, more than 100 sets of martyrs’ remains, two mass graves and numerous artefacts were found at the mass burial site in Le Thi Rieng Park, Ho Chi Minh City.
On the same day, General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission’s Standing Board and Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Viet Nam People’s Army, and his delegation offered incense at the Tau O Blockade National Historical Relic Site in Tan Khai Ward, Dong Nai City.
In a solemn and moving atmosphere, the delegates offered incense and flowers and observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the immense contributions of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and freedom and the happiness of the people.
According to historical documents, the Tau O-Xom Ruong area along National Highway 13 once held a particularly important strategic position, controlling the vital transport route connecting Sai Gon with Binh Long, Loc Ninh and battlefields in the south-eastern region.
On the morning of July 25, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, led a delegation to offer incense in commemoration of heroic martyrs, inspect the site and encourage forces searching for and repatriating martyrs’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park.
To date, Ho Chi Minh City’s Steering Committee 515 has recovered 101 sets of martyrs’ remains and five sets of commingled remains from the Le Thi Rieng Park area. Behind every set of remains recovered lies the longing for reunion cherished by countless families.
The search and repatriation of martyrs’ remains carries profound humanitarian significance while continuing society’s tradition of “Showing gratitude to those who rendered service to the nation”.
At the site, the delegation offered flowers and incense at the monument to late Party General Secretary Tran Phu and the memorial stele to heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 1968 Spring General Offensive and Uprising. They also offered incense at the facility housing martyrs’ remains and at the places of worship dedicated to Heroic Martyr Le Thi Rieng and Heroic Martyr Tran Van Kieu.
General Phan Van Giang and the delegation conducted an on-site inspection, heard reports on progress and encouraged the forces directly carrying out the mission.
Alongside expanding the search area in Le Thi Rieng Park, the city is applying various new measures, including collecting DNA samples from unidentified martyrs, building a digital database, cross-checking archival records and reconstructing portraits of martyrs using modern technology. These efforts are helping improve verification and enabling martyrs to be restored to their names and returned to their home.
