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Lieutenant Colonel Bui Dinh Quan, a member of the team, prepares essentials for the upcoming mission. |
Over the years, officers and staff of the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command’s team in charge of search and collection of martyrs’ remains have overcome countless hardships to find, exhume, and bring home hundreds of remains for burial in their homeland.
During the 2025-2026 dry season, the team will deploy 27 officers and staff members to Laos to continue this special mission. All preparations have been completed, marking the start of a new chapter in the sacred journey of “finding comrades” and bringing heroic martyrs back to their motherland
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Members of Ha Tinh’s team practicing basic procedures for exhuming remains |
According to plan, on October 17, the team will depart for Laos to search for and recover remains of fallen soldiers. Having participated in the mission once before, Lieutenant Colonel Bui Dinh Quan, a member of the team, has carefully prepared essentials. “From last year’s experience, I realized that to obtain valuable information from local residents, one must speak Lao fluently and understand their customs. So, we’ve focused on improving our Lao language skills and preparing thoroughly for the long journey ahead,” he said.
This year, the team will conduct the mission in Bolikhamxay Province and Vientiane. To ensure success, the team has undergone intensive Lao language training and practiced real-life scenarios to enhance communication and information-gathering skills vital to their work.
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The team reviews its records on Party and political work. |
For Major Le Duy Nghia, this is his first time joining the mission. He said, “Receiving this assignment is a great honor. I have made all necessary arrangements at home and am ready to accompany my comrades in bringing back the remains of our fellow countrymen who sacrificed their lives for a noble international cause.”
Working independently and far from direct command, the team members always demonstrate strong political stance, responsibility, unity, and perseverance. Many have prior experience, are familiar with the local terrain, and possess the endurance and adaptability needed for harsh conditions in remote areas.
Colonel Tran Van Son, Head of the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command’s team, said, “Alongside preparing for the search and recovery mission, we also cooperate with local agencies and organizations to conduct outreach activities, provide material and medical support, and assist Lao communities during our work.”
The task of locating and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese soldiers and advisors who laid down their lives in Laos is a deeply symbolic political mission. It embodies the enduring tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source” of the Vietnamese people, helping settle war legacy and honoring those who sacrificed their lives for independence, freedom, and international solidarity.
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All vehicles and equipment carefully inspected, ready for the long journey ahead |
Since 1999, the team of Ha Tinh has found and brought home 825 sets of remains of Vietnamese martyrs. Memorial and reburial ceremonies have been solemnly organized by the provincial authorities and people, expressing profound respect for the fallen and reaffirming the everlasting Vietnam-Laos friendship.
Colonel Son added that the team has so far verified nine reports related to twelve martyrs. With a strong sense of responsibility and deep gratitude to previous generations, the Ha Tinh Provincial Military Command has carefully prepared for the upcoming mission. “The entire team is ready to set out once more,” he said, “continuing this sacred duty of bringing our heroes home.”
Translated by Tran Hoai