Vietnam and Cambodia will work closely to search and repatriate the remains of about 500 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers believed to be still in Cambodia’s Military Zone 3.

The figure was revealed at a conference in Phnom Penh on July 16 to review the outcomes of collaboration between the two countries in the search efforts in six localities of Military Zone 3 – Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kep, Takeo, Koh Kong and Pres Sihanouk.

At the conference, both sides agreed that the authorities, people and soldiers of Military Zone 3 as well as the Cambodia Royal Armed Forces have effectively cooperated with the Vietnamese side in the work.

Both sides have shared information, gathered and returned remains of Vietnamese martyrs and jointly held ceremonies to send the remains home.

Representatives from the six Cambodian localities also affirmed that they will continue supporting Vietnamese search teams in the work.

Militiary officials in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta province of An Giang are seen paying tribute to their deceased comrades before bringing their remains home. (Photo: VNA)

In the dry season of 2014-15 alone, as many as 141 sets of Vietnamese martyrs’ remain were found while 132 other sets of remains found in Cambodia military Zone 3 were gathered and repatriated.

On July 15th, the government of Cambodia’s Takeo province also handed over 18 sets of Vietnamese martyrs’ remains to the Vietnamese side for repatriation.

Currently, about 4,000 Vietnamese martyrs who died during wartime are still lying in Cambodia. The two countries have set a target to complete the majority of the search, gathering and repatriation of martyr remains by 2020./.

VNF/VNA