Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) hosted a conference in Hanoi on October 21 to rally global aid and support to sweep the country clean of deadly mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war.
The event served as a key platform to raise awareness and responsibility among government agencies while enhancing international cooperation and donor engagement, particularly from 13 countries that maintain comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam.
Under the National Action Programme on the Settlement of Unexploded Ordnance Consequences (Programme 504) for 2010–2025, Vietnam has increased global mine action partnerships and experience sharing with the governments of the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany. International and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), have also contributed expertise and funding
Vietnam has expanded ties with international mine action agencies such as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC). Collaborations with foreign embassies and NGOs have sealed memoranda of understanding, beefed up institutional capacity and scored international funding.
From 2020 to 2025, VNMAC and local authorities secured 44 projects, pulling in 138.5 million USD in pledged aid. Of these, VNMAC rolled out 10 projects, while Quang Tri province handled 30 and Hue city managed four.
Between 2023 and 2024, 73,198ha of land were cleared of mines and UXO, with the army handling 59,310ha and VNMAC, alongside international partners, clearing 13,888ha.
Chairing the event, Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence and head of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Overcoming the Post-War UXO and Toxic Chemicals Consequences (Committee 701), asked VNMAC and relevant agencies to propose a new National Mine Action Plan that is grounded in science and meets real-world needs.
Chien called for a rapid finalisation of the Ordinance on Overcoming Post-war Mine and UXO Consequences, along with relevant legal frameworks and projects, to get more local and foreign players in on the action. He also appealed to international organisations, enterprises, organisations and individuals at home and abroad for their continued support to speed up Vietnam’s cleanup and recovery.
On the occasion, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Vietnam and the PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) were honoured with the prestigious Friendship Orders from the Vietnamese State President. Three international organisations, 19 collectives, and seven individuals also earned certificates of merit from the Prime Minister for their mine-clearing efforts from 2006-2022./.
VNA
