Hyundai Thanh Cong Commercial, or HTCV, has handed 35 29-seat Hyundai County buses to Vietnam's Ministry of National Defence. The vehicles will be converted for teams working to search for and recover the remains of fallen soldiers during the 500-day campaign.
## Additional vehicles for a special mission
The campaign to speed up the search, recovery and identification of fallen soldiers' remains was launched to advance the work and mark the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's War Invalids and Martyrs Day.
The teams work in many areas, including places with difficult terrain and limited access. Vehicles and equipment are needed to support their work.
HTCV recently handed over 35 original 29-seat Hyundai County buses to the Ministry of National Defence. After receiving them, specialist agencies under the ministry began studying and modifying the vehicles for the mission.
## Converting 29-seat buses into special vehicles
According to the Ministry of National Defence, the special vehicles use the 29-seat buses as a base. The modifications include frames, platforms and holders for remains, a wreath holder, a holder for an incense burner and electric candles, and changes to the rear doors, partitions and related parts.
On September 14, the General Department of Logistics and Engineering organised the first-stage acceptance inspection of the model at the Northern Practical Testing Centre of the Institute of Military Mechanical Engineering.
The Vehicle and Transport Department and the Institute of Military Mechanical Engineering have completed the conversion, inspection and handover of all 35 vehicles. The vehicles will be assigned to teams searching for and recovering fallen soldiers' remains in different parts of the country.
## Hyundai County used for special assignments
Hyundai County is a 29-seat commercial passenger bus used in Vietnam for different transport needs. The model was selected as the base for the special vehicles after research and modification work by specialist agencies.
The 35 buses were supplied as original vehicles by Hyundai Thanh Cong Commercial. Specialist agencies under the Ministry of National Defence carried out all conversion work for the mission.
Hyundai vehicles have also been used for major events, including the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification on April 30, 2025, and the 80th National Day on September 2, 2025.
A representative of Hyundai Thanh Cong Commercial said the company was honoured to provide vehicles for the mission and to help return fallen soldiers to their comrades and hometowns. The representative said each journey carried the purpose of bringing the soldiers home with respect and gratitude.
## Continuing the recovery work
Searching for and recovering the remains of fallen soldiers is a political, social and humanitarian mission. Each search helps return people who died for the country's independence and freedom to their hometowns after many years away.
During the 500-day campaign, suitable vehicles and equipment are intended to help teams carry out the searches more effectively, safely and respectfully.
Once completed, the 35 special vehicles will serve recovery teams in different parts of Vietnam. The vehicles will support missions to return fallen soldiers to their homeland, comrades and families.
Sources: Dân Trí
