This morning, Doan Van Khoi, along with relatives of two other martyrs, received DNA identification results for their loved ones' remains. The announcements were made at a ceremony launching a national campaign to collect DNA samples from relatives of unidentified martyrs, organized by the Ministry of Public Security.

Born into a farming family in Ninh Binh, Doan Van Khai, born in 1950, enlisted in the army one month after his marriage. After training, he was deployed to the military region 9 battlefield in the early 1970s.

In 1972, the family received Khai's death notice but held onto hope for his return. After national reunification, when his elder brother still did not come home, Khoi and his family confronted the truth and began their search for his remains.

For many years, Khoi searched numerous martyrs' cemeteries, but all efforts were futile as almost no information remained. The family even resorted to spiritual methods, receiving many leads that ultimately proved incorrect. At times, Khoi felt disappointed and was about to give up the search until he learned about the DNA sample collection program.

Doan Van Khoi receives the DNA identification results for his elder brother, martyr Doan Van Khai. Photo: Pham Du

Two years ago, Khoi provided a hair sample for DNA comparison with unidentified martyr remains at Nga Bay - Phung Hiep cemetery in Can Tho city. Two months ago, he was again called to provide a blood sample for further identification.

Three days ago, the family was informed of a match. Upon receiving the news, Khoi "burst into tears, his hands and feet trembling," unable to believe he had found his elder brother's remains. "The family immediately prepared an offering meal with incense and plans to bring my elder brother's remains back to our hometown in Ninh Binh soon," Khoi recounted.

In addition to Khoi's family, the Ministry of Public Security also delivered identification notifications to two other martyr relatives following DNA results: martyr Nguyen Thien Quyet, from the former Hai Duong province, whose grave is at Duc Co martyrs' cemetery in Gia Lai province; and martyr Nguyen Trong Cat, whose remains are at Nga Bay - Phung Hiep martyrs' cemetery in Can Tho city.

At the launch ceremony, many relatives of unidentified martyrs provided information and DNA samples. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, along with Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, visited each table, offering comfort and encouragement to the relatives.

The Deputy Prime Minister urged martyr relatives to actively cooperate by providing information and DNA samples. This cooperation will provide more data, evidence, and opportunities for the journey to identify martyrs.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra and delegates visit martyr relatives. Photo: Pham Du

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the country still has over 175,000 martyrs whose remains have not been found, and over 300,000 martyr graves still lack information. This represents a major concern for the entire political system and the people.

She assessed that the "500 days and nights campaign to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of martyr remains" is both a "historical responsibility" and an urgent race against time, as many direct relatives of martyrs are elderly and frail.

"Every day that passes means another opportunity could be lost, another historical gap that needs to be filled. Identifying martyr remains requires a systematic, scientific, and synchronized approach. Therefore, collecting DNA samples from martyr relatives is very important," the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

Recently, the Ministry of Public Security has built a DNA database with 53,000 samples. To date, after comparison, the authorized agencies have identified 30 martyrs.

Many martyr relatives continue to provide DNA samples. Photo: Pham Du

For relatives who have not found martyr remains, the Ministry of Public Security requests that individuals receiving martyr worship benefits bring their Certificate of National Recognition to the communal police where they reside. They should then contact the officer in charge to identify information for at least two relatives from the maternal line.

The order of priority is: the martyr's biological mother; the martyr's maternal grandmother; siblings from the same mother as the martyr; uncles and aunts who are the biological siblings of the martyr's mother; sons of the martyr's mother's sisters; children of the martyr's sisters.

Subsequently, the individuals selected to provide DNA samples will proceed to the designated collection site at the time informed by the police.

The 500 days and nights campaign to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of martyr remains will run from 15/3/2026 to 27/7/2027, leading up to the 80th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day. In addition to the goal of finding approximately 7,000 martyr remains, the campaign also aims to collect samples from about 230,000 unidentified martyr graves and conduct DNA identification for approximately 18,000 martyr remains samples.