U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, Director of the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Kelly McKeague, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) Chu Hoang Ha, representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Home Affairs, the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP), and National Steering Committee 515 attended the event.
    |
 |
|
An overview of the inauguration ceremony (Photo: U.S. Embassy in Vietnam) |
The new laboratory, housed within VAST’s Center for DNA Identification, represents a groundbreaking step in identifying the remains of Vietnamese service personnel missing during the war. It was made possible through U.S. government funding for equipment and training by the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).
“This facility is a testament to what our partnership can achieve,” said Ambassador Knapper, adding that “as our nations celebrate 30 years of bilateral relations, we reaffirm our shared commitment to address war legacies, using cooperation in science and technology to bring answers to families.”
The laboratory’s advanced DNA analysis capabilities will enable Vietnamese scientists to tackle the complex challenges of identifying degraded remains, including those recovered from high acidity soil, offering closure to families who have waited decades for answers.
|
|
 |
|
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper speaks at the event. (Photo: U.S. Embassy in Vietnam) |
Over the coming months, ICMP will continue mentoring VAST scientists in the use of these cutting-edge protocols.
This initiative reflects the broader evolution of U.S.-Vietnam relations, which have grown from reconciliation cooperation to a robust partnership across diverse fields, including science, technology, and innovation.
The inauguration of the DNA laboratory is not only a symbol of the progress made in settling the war legacies but also of the possible cooperation that lies ahead. Together, the U.S. and Vietnam are building on a relationship rooted in mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for a brighter future.
Translated by Chung Anh