Vietnam, Laos review search for remains of Vietnamese soldiers, experts

The Vietnamese side was led by permanent member of the Central Military Commission and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Vo Minh Luong while the Lao side was headed by Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chairman of the General Department of Politics under the Lao People’s Army Sen. Lieut. Gen. Thongloi Silivong.

They said during 2022-2023 dry season, Vietnam's search teams found and repatriated 194 sets of remains of fallen soldiers, including 10 who have been identified by name and hometown.

During the 2023-2024 dry season, the Vietnamese side will continue maintaining eight search and recovery teams in Lao cities and provinces. Additionally, both sides will urge the public to provide information on fallen soldiers and the burial sites of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos during various periods of war.

In conclusion, they signed the minutes of the 28th meeting and agreed to jointly organise a ceremony to honour collectives and individuals in Laos who made outstanding contributions to the effort during 2013-2020.

In the afternoon the same day, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath hosted a reception for Luong and his entourage.

Luong informed the host about the outcomes of the 28th meeting to the Lao leader and wished that in the near future, the Lao Party, State, people and particularly the Deputy PM would continue offering support to the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts.

Agreeing with Luong’s proposals, Chanyalath expressed his profound gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for standing side by side with the Lao counterparts during both wartime and peacetime.