On 30/7, Ito Naoki, the Japanese ambassador to Vietnam, visited Hoan Lao commune, one of the areas most heavily contaminated by unexploded ordnance in Vietnam. Ambassador Ito observed the clearance of cluster munitions, one of the most common and dangerous types of explosives. He joined representatives from the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) to detonate two cluster bombs and one projectile found at the site.

Ambassador Ito Naoki (left) and a MAG representative detonate explosives on 30/7. Photo: MAG

Ambassador Ito Naoki (left) and a MAG representative detonate explosives on 30/7. Photo: MAG

Later that day, Ambassador Ito attended a ceremony where MAG handed over more than 2 km2 of cleared land to Hoan Lao commune authorities. Japan has supported mine action in Vietnam for 20 years. In the former Quang Binh province, Japan has provided approximately 5.5 million USD to MAG since 2015. This funding has resulted in the clearance of over 26 km2 of land, benefiting more than 137,000 local residents.

Nguyen Van Hai, vice chairman of Hoan Lao commune, said that during its operations in the area, MAG has removed thousands of dangerous explosives, making dozens of hectares of land safe for productive use and opening up new livelihood opportunities for residents. MAG also works with the local community to raise awareness of the dangers of unexploded ordnance.

MAG conducts mine clearance operations in Hoan Lao commune. Photo: Dac Thanh

MAG conducts mine clearance operations in Hoan Lao commune. Photo: Dac Thanh

MAG is an international humanitarian organization working in mine action to reduce the risks from unexploded ordnance left behind after conflicts. Since 1999, MAG has safely destroyed more than 400,000 explosive items in the former provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Quang Nam. MAG's work in Vietnam is supported by the US Department of State and the Japanese government.

Dac Thanh