Vietnam Still Contends with 5.6M Ha of Land Infected with Unexploded Ordnance

Vietnam continued to grapple with 5.6 million hectares of land, equivalent to 17.71% of its total area, infected with unexploded ordnance as of 2023, local media reported.

Vietnam ranks among the countries with the highest rates of landmine contamination globally. It is estimated the number of post-war remnants at 800,000 tons of explosives, affecting an area of approximately 6.1 million hectares, or 18.82% of the country's total land area.

Unexploded ordnances and mines are scattered across all 63 provinces and municipalities, with concentrated presence in the central, central highlands, and southeastern regions.

Earlier on April 21, 2010, the Prime Minister signed a decision to implement the National Action Program for Addressing the Consequences of Post-war Mines (referred to as Program 504). To execute the tasks outlined in Program 504 in 2014, the Prime Minister issued Decision 319 establishing the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC).

VNMAC, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense, executed the project "Surveying and Mapping Mine Contamination Nationwide" across all 63 localities, with findings announced in March 2018. The total value of surveying and clearance efforts amounted to VND12.61 trillion ($525.58 million), with domestic budgets contributing over VND10.42 trillion and direct non-refundable foreign aid totaling nearly VND2.2 trillion.

(Nhan Dan, Bao Chinh Phu, Tin Tuc, RFA).