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 tℱhe Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is Vietnam’s efforts in supporting the 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 secto⛄r cooperates with not only the US but also France to provide information in the search for missing soldi🅰ers, thus meeting the needs of their families. He also affirmed that the sector will continue 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 seminar was the first activity in during Thanh’s visit, the first-ever by a top Vietnamese legislator since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1975.
Hansen said Denmark attaches importance to the Comprehensive Partnership and Green Strategic Partnership with Vietnam while speaking highly of the positive development in the bilateral relations over the recent past.
The Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat on July 11 announced disciplinary measures against three incumbent and former officials for serious violations of the Party's regulations and the State's laws while performing their duties.
HCM City, as Vietnam’s vibrant economic and cultural hub, has played a pivotal role in fostering cooperation between the two countries. French businesses, as well as educational, health care, heritage conservation, and urban development organisations have maintained an active and visible presence in the city.
Over the past three decades, two-way trade has increased more than 300 times, with Vietnam becoming a major player in global supply chains. Many major US corporations now view Vietnam as a strategic manufacturing and consumer market, while more Vietnamese firms are entering the highly competitive US market.
Three decades since the normalisation of bilateral ties, thanks to tireless efforts from both nations, Vietnam and the US have built mutual trust, becoming friends and comprehensive strategic partners across all sectors.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
People-to-people exchange has long served as a vital bridge between Vietnam and China, forming a strong social foundation for building trust, fostering cooperation, and maintaining peace. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025, the two Parties and Governments have jointly designated the year as the “Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange,” reflecting a shared strategic vision to promote sustainable bilateral relations rooted in public engagement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held separate meetings with the foreign ministers of China, Australia, and Algeria on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-58) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 10.
The Lao Vice President asked the Central Committees of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) to continue enhancing coordination to effectively implement their 2022–2027 cooperation agreement, especially in youth exchanges and education of younger generations about the countries’ traditional ties.
Three former US ambassadors to Vietnam have shared their views on the past achievements and future prospects of bilateral relations as the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of their diplomatic relations this July.
National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh held talks with French Senate Vice President Loic Hervé and French NA Vice-President Nadège Abomangoli, met with Anne Le Hénanff, Chairwoman of the France – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group (FVFG) in the French NA, and Amélia Lakrafi, General Delegate of the APF.
Speaking at the closing session of the 47th meeting of the NA Standing Committee in Hanoi on July 10,National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man commended the close, prompt, and active coordination among involved bodies.
Welcoming female diplomats at the meeting, PM Pham Minh Chinh wished them good health and continued contributions to the nations and to global diplomacy so as to keep promoting peace, cooperation, and development, advocating multilateralism, and promoting international solidarity.
The Mekong – Japan Cooperation (MJC) includes six members: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 2025, a new co-chair mechanism will be launched, with Vietnam becoming the first Mekong country to assume this role.
Based on their long-standing ties, shared interests, common viewpoints, as well as ASEAN membership, deepening the Vietnam-Indonesia relationship will not only serve the interests of the two peoples but also contribute to a united, strong, and cohesive ASEAN, and to peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers of Japan and Switzerland on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 10.
