Bắc Ninh
Vietnam, US launch $700,000 UXO disposal training range
A new training range for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) has recently been inaugurated in Hanoi's outlying district of Ba Vi, marking another step in the U.S. and Vietnam's decades-long effort to heal the scars of war.
The facility was funded by the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) under the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, and delivered to the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC), as part of Vietnam's National Mine Action Programme for the 2010–2025 period, which seeks to address the deadly legacy of unexploded bombs and mines left from the war.
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A member of the U.S.-funded Mines Advisory Group detects unexploded ordnances in Trieu Son Commune, Trieu Phong District of Quang Tri Province, a battlefield during the Vietnam War, in 2022. |
The two-hectare range broke ground in July 2024, supported by a grant of over US$700,000 from the U.S. Government.
It has classrooms, kitchen and sanitation blocks, assembly zones, mine detection and disposal areas, parking spaces, internal roads, and a calibration zone for mine clearance equipment.
Designed to meet the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), the range aims to enhance Vietnam’s capacity to safely clear unexploded ordnance (UXO).
It is also expected to transform VNMAC into a fully capable national hub for mine action training, enabling more effective training and operations.
The inauguration held special significance, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties and following the recent elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper said since 1993, the U.S. has provided a total of $234 million for Vietnam’s UXO clearance, dioxin remediation at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, and support to people with disabilities.
He praised the contributions of the Vietnamese Government and non-governmental organizations, including Norwegian People’s Aid and PeaceTrees Vietnam, which have worked alongside local partners like the Quang Tri Mine Action Center.
This facility is a testament to the two nations’ shared commitment to peace and security, reinforcing Vietnam’s role as a proactive, responsible member of the international community, he said, adding that the project reflects closer bilateral defense ties, fulfilling a key component of the 2023–2028 defense cooperation plan focused on UXO remediation.
Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), called the facility’s opening a major milestone in the ongoing humanitarian mine action program and the result of years of meticulous planning.
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Highlighting the growth of the Vietnam-US relations over the past 30 years, the Vietnamese leader emphasised that the bilateral relationship has evolved from former adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners. The US supports a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Vietnam, he said, adding that the two nations have set aside the past and headed towards the future while respecting differences.
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