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Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative

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The Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI) focuses on accounting for and recovering the remains of Vietnamese personnel killed or missing from the Vietnam War. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Department of Defense, working in collaboration with Vietnamese authorities, to provide closure to families of the missing and to promote reconciliation between the two countries. The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), as part of its Vietnam War Legacies and Reconciliation Initiative, launched in 2021, is dedicated to addressing these enduring impacts by fostering collaboration between the U.S. and Vietnamese governments on public communications, policy dialogue, and people-to-people exchange.

In 2018, Vietnam formally requested U.S. assistance to account for its own personnel killed or missing during the war. Vietnamese government sources estimate 180,000 people are missing and 300,000 remains are still unidentified. In response, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through the Defense Attaché Office (DAO) in Hanoi, developed a comprehensive plan to reciprocate the decades of support provided by Vietnam in helping the U.S. locate and repatriate its personnel.

This initiative highlights the growing strength of U.S.-Vietnam relations, with both nations united in efforts to reconcile the lasting impacts of war. Through these humanitarian programs, the U.S. acknowledges Vietnam’s enduring support, reinforcing the bond between the two countries.

Key components of the initiative include:

  1. Collecting and digitizing documents to aid Vietnam’s MIA cases.
  2. Leveraging technology to enhance research capabilities.
  3. Providing training, equipment, and resources to strengthen Vietnam’s accounting efforts.
  4. Conducting media outreach to build public awareness and support in both countries.
  5. Facilitating exchanges among veterans, academics, policymakers, and technical experts.
  6. Offering DNA analysis assistance through partnerships with organizations like USAID.

USIP contributes to delivering components 4 and 5 on public communications and exchange. This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening U.S.-Vietnam relations and continuing the mission of reconciliation through shared humanitarian goals. The initiative includes publications, events and videos produced by USIP and by partners in the U.S. and Vietnam.