Dien Bien province receives fallen soldiers' remains

A view of the ceremony

According to the report from Steering Committee 515 of Military Region 2, during the first phase of the 2024-2025 dry season, the team responsible for searching and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers under the Political Department of Military Region 2 found eight sets of remains in three provinces of Laos (two in Luang Prabang, one in Phongsaly, and five in Luang Namtha). Among these, one set of remains was identified to be of martyr Ha Cong Thien, from Bao La commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province; another set had only a name; and six others remain unidentified.

According to Senior Colonel Du Cong Thinh, Head of the Search and Collection Team under the Political Department of Military Region 2, in 2024, the unit successfully found and repatriated 20 sets of remains. Despite the wide search area, difficult terrain, and various challenges, the unit worked responsibly and closely collaborated with local authorities in Laos to conduct surveys, search, collect, and repatriate the remains of eight Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and advisors who laid down their lives while conducting international service in Laos.

Delegates paying tribute to the fallen

On the morning of January 9, the remains were solemnly received at Tay Trang International Border Gate in Dien Bien province and then transported to Tong Khao War Cemetery in Thanh Nua commune, Dien Bien district, for burial.

On January 10, a memorial service was held at Tong Khao War Cemetery, where seven sets of remains were reburied, and one identified martyr was brought to his home province of Hoa Binh for burial service.

Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien provincial People's Committee Vu A Bang speaks at the event.

A view of the burial service

In the memorial speech, Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien provincial People's Committee and Head of the province’s Steering Committee 515 Vu A Bang praised and expressed deep gratitude to the fallen soldiers' sacrifices. He emphasized that during their time fighting in Laos, the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and advisors had shown great unity with the Lao people, overcoming tremendous challenges and making selfless sacrifices for the cause of national liberation and strengthening the Vietnam-Laos friendship.

Translated by Tran Hoai