Ceremony for the Presentation of Results on the Identification of Fallen Soldiers Using a New DNA Analysis Technology Process (NGS–SNP)

14/01/2026

In a special atmosphere marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; celebrating the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army, on December 11, 2025, in Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) solemnly organized the Ceremony for the Presentation of DNA Analysis Results for the Identification of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains. This event also represents a profound tribute to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the nation, and conveys gratitude to the families of these heroes. The event also announced the results of mastering and successfully applying a new DNA analysis technology process (NGS–SNP).

Overview of the Ceremony

Attending the Ceremony were Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Mr. Marc E. Knapper – Ambassador of the United States to Vietnam; representatives of the leadership of the Institute of Biology; representatives of the leadership of units under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; representatives of agencies under the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP), the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), the Departments of Home Affairs of Cao Bang Province and Thai Nguyen Province; representatives of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Families of Fallen Soldiers; leaders and staff of the DNA Identification Center, together with relatives of fallen soldiers’ families.

Speaking at the Ceremony, Vice President Chu Hoang Ha stated that the new DNA analysis technology process is the result of the persistent efforts of the staff of the DNA Identification Center – Institute of Biology – VAST, in coordination with international genetic and forensic experts and scientists from the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). Scientists from both sides jointly researched, selected, and refined an identification technology process suitable to the practical conditions of Vietnam. This activity was conducted within the framework of the Vietnam–United States cooperation project on “Enhancing capacity for identification of persons missing in war,” led by the Institute of Biology – VAST. The new DNA analysis technology process combines optimization of DNA extraction methods, the use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers of the nuclear genome, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques, and data management and matching software systems. This technology process enables accurate determination of kinship through both paternal and maternal lines up to 4–5 generations, and is particularly suitable for samples of fallen soldiers’ remains that have been buried for many years, from which only degraded and highly fragmented DNA can be recovered (average size approximately 50–70 bp), which often fails when using currently applied identification methods.

Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology delivering remarks at the Ceremony

Vice President Chu Hoang Ha further stated that the new identification technology process has been applied at Tra Linh Martyrs’ Cemetery (Cao Bang Province) to 58 sets of remains. Nearly 90% of the total samples yielded SNP marker data of sufficient quality for comparison and matching for identification purposes. In the first round of comparative analysis, the identities of two fallen soldiers were accurately determined: fallen soldier Hoang Van Hoa and fallen soldier Tran Van Can. Mastering and successfully applying the new technology process has helped overcome the limitations of the mitochondrial DNA–based identification process, opening a pathway to fundamentally address long-standing “technical bottlenecks” in the identification of fallen soldiers’ remains in Vietnam (including severely decomposed remains, cases lacking corroborating information, or cases where close relatives are no longer available). The two cases of fallen soldiers whose identities were determined and for whom results were handed over at the Ceremony serve as evidence of the first successful application of the new technology in Vietnam, marking a significant milestone and opening prospects for gradually resolving a large number of pending cases that previous scientific approaches had not been able to effectively address. Vice President Chu Hoang Ha also expressed confidence that, with the current technological foundation, Vietnam is fully capable of conducting analyses on a larger scale, enhancing identification capacity and contributing to the return of many fallen soldiers to their families and loved ones.

Colonel Nguyen Ba Thang – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) delivering remarks at the Ceremony

Speaking at the Ceremony, Colonel Nguyen Ba Thang – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) emphasized that the event holds special significance not only for the families of fallen soldiers but also for the collective efforts to accelerate the search, recovery, and identification of Vietnamese fallen soldiers who remain missing. The event marks the first concrete results of the DNA identification technology transfer project implemented with funding support from the United States Government and with technical and experiential support from the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). This serves as evidence of effective international cooperation in a field of profound humanitarian significance.

Mr. Marc E. Knapper – Ambassador of the United States to Vietnam delivering remarks at the Ceremony

Mr. Marc E. Knapper – Ambassador of the United States to Vietnam expressed his honor to participate in the event in an atmosphere commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam. The Ambassador stated that today’s event marks another important milestone in the increasingly developing partnership between the United States and Vietnam. This partnership is rooted in mutual respect, shared objectives, and the common commitment of both countries to carry out a highly solemn and important mission (addressing the remaining issues from the war between the two countries). The Ambassador acknowledged and highly appreciated the results achieved through cooperation between VAST and VNOSMP, ICMP, and relevant ministries and sectors. He emphasized that this cooperation enables the two sides to take the lead in applying advanced United States technologies to the identification of fallen soldiers’ remains. The Ambassador was pleased to announce that the United States Government, through the International Commission on Missing Persons, will provide an additional USD 3 million to Vietnam to complete the project. This new funding will help ensure that the project implementation team has the necessary resources to achieve the remaining objectives of the project, and will further enhance Vietnam’s capacity to identify fallen soldiers’ remains using next-generation sequencing technologies.
At the Ceremony, Dr. Le Hung Anh – Deputy Director of the Institute of Biology announced the DNA analysis results identifying the fallen soldiers’ remains; Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Mr. Ly Duc Bang – Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs of Cao Bang Province also presented the DNA analysis results identifying the fallen soldiers’ remains to two families of fallen soldiers’ relatives, namely fallen soldier Hoang Van Hoa and fallen soldier Tran Van Can.

Dr. Le Hung Anh – Deputy Director of the Institute of Biology announcing the DNA analysis results identifying the fallen soldiers’ remains

Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Mr. Ly Duc Bang – Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs of Cao Bang Province presenting the DNA analysis results identifying the fallen soldiers’ remains to two families of fallen soldiers’ relatives

According to the National Steering Committee 515, there are currently more than 300,000 fallen soldiers’ remains nationwide whose identities have yet to be determined, and nearly 200,000 fallen soldiers who have not yet been recovered. Vietnam has set a target to complete DNA analysis for approximately 20,000 samples of fallen soldiers’ remains by 2030. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology will continue to refine and standardize the DNA analysis process, and will closely coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and relevant agencies to expand the application of the new technology at multiple cemeteries nationwide, thereby contributing to the fulfillment of the Party’s and the Government’s objectives in the identification of fallen soldiers whose information remains incomplete.

Group photo

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version

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