A project to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from the American War in Vietnam has been performing in the central province of Nghe An, with a total investment of over 396 billion VND (18.8 million USD).

Implemented from 2010 until 2015 and funded by the governments of many countries, domestic and international organisations and non-governmental agencies, the project is expected to clear a combined 30,000 ha of land polluted by UXO in 16 districts and cities, especially those in mountainous and rural areas.

According to Major Tran Danh Han from the provincial Military Command, the High Command of Military Zone 4 performed bomb and mine clearance over an area of nearly 8,400 ha in 7 districts and cities from 2012-2013.

The project helped ensure safety for socio-economic development, infrastructure building and resettlement programmes in the locality.

The local authorities also handed over land areas removed from UXO to local residents to plant crops and vegetables, thus promoting poverty reduction in the locality.

According to several surveys, Nghe An remains one of the most mine-affected provinces in Vietnam, with 18 percent of the locality’s land acreage containing UXO.-VNA