740 US soldiers missing in Vietnam war identified: US officer
The Vietnamese archives sector cooperates with not only the US but also France to provide information in the search for missing soldiers, thus meeting the needs of their families. It will continue to proactively cooperate and exchange information with the US side in this work.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (right) holds talks Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency under the US Department of Defence. (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) - With the support of Vietnam, the remains of 740 US servicemen have been identified and returned to their families, according to Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency under the US Department of Defence.
Visiting the National Archives Centre III under the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs’ State Records and Archives Department on July 10, McKeague stated that the year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam–US diplomatic relations, and, notably, the 40th anniversary since the US first sent a team to Vietnam to search for missing service members.
Immediately after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, Vietnam established an agency dedicated to searching for those missing in the war. The country has been proactive in supporting the search for US soldiers missing in action during the war in Vietnam.
Expressing gratitude for these efforts, especially on behalf of the families of the missing, he affirmed that a fundamental cornerstone of the Vietn🌠am-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is Vietnam’s efforts in supporting th🌼e search for missing service members.
Participants at the meeting (Photo: qdnd.vn)
However, McKeague noted that there are still 1,157 US soldiers missing in the war in Vietnam, and these cases are extremely difficult to find due to the lack of information.
According to the Director of the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency, gathering information is the first and crucial step, as sometimes such information is key for the search teams to determine whether they are at the correct site or speaking to the right witnesses.
Director of the State Records and Archives Department Dang Thanh Tung stated that the Vietnamese archives sector cooperates with not only the US but also France to provide information in the search for missing soldiers, thus meeting the ⛎needs of their families. He also affirmed that the sector will continಌue to proactively cooperate and exchange information with the US side in this work./.
To mark the 30th anniversary of Vietnam–US diplomatic relations, the National Archives Centre III held an exhibition in Hanoi on July 10 titled “30 Years of Vietnam–US Diplomatic Relations.”
Such a journey is rare in international relations, and for Vietnam, it represents the fruit of a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and deep global integration for peace and development, Dung said.
At the ceremony, Vietnam handed over four boxes containing remains recovered during recent joint excavations in Hue city, and Quang Tri and Kon Tum provinces. Preliminary forensic analysis on April 15 suggested the remains may belong to US MIAs and they will be sent to Hawaii for further identification.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
