Report on Vietnam Unexploded Ordnance and Landmine Impact Assessment and Rapid Technical Response

Vietnam Veterans of American Foundation (VVAF), in partnership with the Technology Center for Bomb and Mine Disposal (BOMICEN) have worked in an effort to detect and remove all landmines/UXOs from Vietnam. The process of detection and clearance began following the Vietnam War in an effort to expand agricultural land and assist in the resettlement of internally displaced people. However, the mass campaigns were only able to remove explosive remnants of war and landmine explosions still pose a threat to many Vietnamese.  As a result VVAF and BOMICEN began work in 2004 to identity and remedy the landmine/UXO problems.

Landmines have had a prolonged impact in Vietnam, and there are still instances of explosions from landmines remaining from World War II. Contamination has prevented the development of new infrastructure and resettlement activities. Furthermore, landmines have prevented access to natural resources, and have prevented new transport routes to rural areas from being developed. Additionally, the high costs of rehabilitation and treatment of landmine victims is another problem for citizens.

Landmines currently exist in all 63 provinces of Vietnam. VVAF and BOMICEN’s project included the establishment of a national map of UXO/Landmine contamination, assessment of impact of UXO/Landmines on socio-economic life and provision further recommendations. The project, which began in 2004, was completed in 2008. The project included surveying individuals at the commune level and the mapping of bomb and mine contaminated areas. As of December 2008, the project had visited all 1,361 communes of 6 provinces: Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Ngai.