Implementing the “500-day-and-night campaign” to accelerate the search, gathering, and identification of martyrs’ remains, the Điện Biên provincial Military Command focuses on receiving, verifying, and processing each information source, establishing the baseline to devise survey plans and search for martyrs’ remains.

Approximately three months ago, the provincial Military Command received information provided by local residents regarding an area suspected of containing a martyr’s grave in Nậm Pọng village, former Mường Đăng commune, now belonging to Nặm Chan village, Nà Tấu commune. In early October 2026, officers of the provincial Military Command sought out Giàng A Lư (born in 1924), residing in Nặm Chan village, to verify the information. Despite being 102 years old, Lư still recalls wartime stories when soldiers marched through the area and received assistance from villagers. Lư recalled: “In those days, when soldiers passed through the village, the villagers loved them dearly - some cooked rice, others washed clothes and cared for the wounded. On the final night, we heard artillery fire; come morning, villagers saw a grave where the troops had once passed. On the grave, a bamboo stave inscribed with the fallen soldier’s name served as a headstone, but because I am illiterate, I did not know the soldier’s name...”

War has long receded, villages have undergone many changes, and most who witnessed the event have passed away. Therefore, the memories preserved in Lư’s mind constitute a precious source of intelligence, providing functional forces with added grounds to verify, conduct field surveys, and step-by-step pinpoint the suspected martyr grave site, contributing to carrying forward the journey of searching for and gathering the remains of those who made sacrifices for the fatherland.

Upon learning that functional forces were stepping up the search and gathering of martyrs’ remains, Lư proactively reported to the Military Command of Nà Tấu commune, supplying information and pointing out the suspected grave site. From his accounts, military cadres gained additional evidence to verify, survey the terrain, and progressively clarify the remaining traces.

Colonel Lê Hào Quang, Deputy Head of Politics of the provincial Military Command and Head of the provincial Team for Surveying, Verifying, and Searching Information on Martyrs and Martyrs’ Graves, stated: “Receiving and verifying information provided by the people bears exceptionally vital significance. Every account and marker concerning burial sites, troop movements, or the circumstances surrounding the grave’s creation becomes evidence serving search operations. However, this is also a deeply challenging mission because historical witnesses are of increasingly advanced age, and many have passed away. After decades, topography and landmarks have changed, and war traces have gradually been buried by time, making the precise identification of original burial positions far from simple.”

Confronting that reality, functional forces have expeditiously received, thoroughly documented, screened, and cross-referenced each intelligence source; concurrently coordinating closely with local Party committees, authorities, and grassroots military forces for verification. Bringing witnesses back to the field, inspecting guided locations, completing dossiers, and archiving data serve as essential steps to ensure accuracy and prevent the omission of valuable leads.

“The verification process is conducted with prudence and perseverance, because not all information leads to immediate grave site identification. There are locations requiring continuous surveys and cross-referencing against relevant documents and accounts before formulating search, exhumation, and gathering schemes in accordance with regulations. Despite many obstacles stemming from elapsed time, topography, and field conditions, cadres and soldiers remain resolved to review every information source, preventing precious memories of witnesses from fading away,” Colonel Lê Hào Quang shared.

According to the report on outcomes of the 500-day-and-night campaign to accelerate the search, gathering, and identification of martyrs’ remains, from the campaign’s launch to date, the provincial Military Command has received 35 pieces of information, including seven verified as accurate. Based on data supplied by citizens, functional forces conducted searches and gathered 12 unidentified martyrs’ remains; completing biological sampling for 7 out of 7 cases according to provided data.

Within the framework of the 500-day-and-night campaign, receiving and verifying information continues to be identified as a crucial link establishing the foundation for search and gathering endeavors. Every lead provided by the public and every physical trace inspected and cross-referenced helps narrow search perimeters and elevates the probability of accurately identifying martyrs’ grave locations.

Despite persistent hurdles due to the passage of time, transformed topography, and the advancing age of historical witnesses, functional forces persistently review and verify each lead, coordinating closely with local governments and the populace. Preserved memories and promptly recorded information serve as key foundations for extending the journey of searching for and gathering martyrs’ remains. These dedicated actions manifest a profound sense of duty and heartfelt gratitude toward those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the fatherland.