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An explosives disposal training ground was inaugurated on March 24 in the outlying district of Ba Vi of Hanoi. The facility was funded by the Defense Cooperation Office of the US Embassy in Vietnam for the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC), Vietnamnet reported.

Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Major General Lance Okamura, Deputy Commander for Internal Affairs of the US Army Pacific, discussed ongoing defense cooperation to address war legacies within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

A training range for explosive material disposal, funded by the Office of Defence Cooperation (ODC) of the US Embassy in Vietnam, was inaugurated and handed over to the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) on March 24. Photo: PANO

Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan noted that remnants of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the war continue to threaten lives, health, and property across Vietnam.

For many years, Vietnam has made significant efforts to address post-war mine clearance, reclaiming large areas of land previously contaminated with unexploded ordnance, thereby promoting socio-economic development.

However, to fully clear the remaining 5.6 million hectares suspected of UXO contamination nationwide, many challenges must be addressed, requiring substantial resources.

The Lieutenant General acknowledged that the US has made considerable contributions to Vietnam’s post-war recovery efforts, particularly in mine clearance.

"Since 2016, the US Army Pacific, through the Humanitarian Mine Action Program, has supported VNMAC’s efforts to clear unexploded ordnance. The Ba Vi training ground provides VNMAC with a dedicated facility for conducting essential demolition training, advancing instructor development, and meeting the demands of managing and implementing post-war recovery activities," said Major General Okamura.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper noted that Vietnam's growing capacity to address unexploded ordnance challenges further solidifies its role as a responsible and proactive member of the international community. Addressing war legacies remains a fundamental element of the enduring relationship between the two countries.

Delegates participnating the ceremony observe a demonstration of preparatory procedures before conducting bomb and mine clearance operations. Photo: VNMAC

Major General Lance Okamura's visit to Vietnam demonstrates the continued trust and collaboration that the two nations have cultivated since establishing diplomatic relations in 1995.

Looking ahead, the US Army Pacific hopes to continue collaborating with Vietnam on humanitarian support training, disaster relief, medical assistance, infrastructure projects, and civil-military relationship-building programs.

The humanitarian mine clearance training ground in Ba Vi covers an area of 2 hectares and was built in 2024 with an investment of USD 700,000. It meets international mine action standards and is designed to train personnel in mine clearance operations, explosive materials handling, equipment testing, and demolition procedures.

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