Senior officials from Laos and Vietnam sign an MOU on the repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese soldiers.

Remains of Vietnamese soldiers to be repatriated after disinterment in Laos

The governments of Laos and Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding endorsing the repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Attapeu province during the Indochina war.
During searches that took place this year and last, the K53 team - a Vietnamese military unit tasked with wartime remains recovery - located and excavated the remains of 12 Vietnamese soldiers and experts in Attapeu province.
The operation was carried out in close coordination with Lao authorities and local communities.
Following their excavation, the remains will be respectfully transported to Champassak province, where a formal ceremony will take place. From there, they will be handed over to the Vietnamese taskforce and returned to Vietnam with full military honours.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in a formal ceremony attended by senior officials from both countries in Attapeu province on May 5, reflects the longstanding friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
It also underscores a shared commitment to honouring those who made sacrifices during times of conflict.
The two sides reviewed the outcomes of the 2024-2025 mission to search for, excavate, and recover the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died during the war in Laos, confirming the recovery of 12 sets of remains in Attapeu province.
Lao and Vietnamese taskforces partnered in a highly effective collaboration, actively gathering information about the burial places of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts.
They called on local authorities at all levels to enhance public outreach, mobilise community support, and work closely with the K53 excavation team by sharing information and guiding search efforts to ensure timely, accurate, and effective operations.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 8, 2025)