These hidden dangers continue to threaten local communities, hindering economic activity and daily life. To address this, engineering units of Military Region 1 have been deployed to systematically clear contaminated land, making it safe for development and long-term stability.
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Conducting mine clearance operations in border areas of Lang Son province |
Major General Do Van Tuan, Deputy Commander of Military Region 1, notes that Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces form a critical, rugged stretch of Vietnam’s northern border. As former sites of intense conflict, these areas remain heavily affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO), posing persistent risks in remote and agricultural areas.
Assigned by the Ministry of National Defense, Military Region 1 conducts UXO clearance across key border areas. Each cleared square meter ensures public safety and enables socio-economic growth, allowing communities to reclaim land for farming and infrastructure.
The mission is grueling and dangerous. Engineering soldiers work through extreme weather, using metal detectors to meticulously scan and mark hazardous zones. Lieutenant Colonel Than Van Hoat, Deputy Chief of Staff of Brigade 575, explained that decade-old explosives are often buried deep in rocks or vegetation, complicating detection. Every signal requires extreme caution, as the slightest error in this complex removal process can be fatal.
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Mine clearance in Lang Son |
Engineering teams follow rigorous technical processes, which involve surveying, detecting, and neutralizing explosives, requiring absolute precision and discipline. Major Luong Duc Duong, an engineering officer from Regiment 12, Division 3 under Military Region 1, notes that while every encounter with explosives is dangerous, the prospect of safe land for farming and children motivates his team.
The impact is evident across the mountainous border. Thousands of explosive devices have been neutralized, returning hundreds of hectares to local authorities for agriculture and infrastructure. In Kien Moc commune, 406 hectares were recently handed over, allowing residents to expand production. Similarly, 150 hectares in Mau Son commune now support cardamom and medicinal plant cultivation, fostering sustainable livelihoods.
Beyond technical tasks, units support social initiatives, including contributing VND 1.09 billion to replace dilapidated housing. This large-scale operation involves Brigade 575, Division 3, Provincial Military Commands of Cao Bang and Lang Son, the Engineering Corps, and enterprises like Truong Son Corporation and Mine Action One Member Limited Liability Company 319.
To date, 3,498 hectares have been cleared, of which 1,883 are in Cao Bang and 1,615 in Lang Son. Forces have handled 28,713 explosive devices, destroying 8,566 on-site and relocating over 20,000 for centralized disposal.
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UXO collected by engineering forces of Military Region 1 |
From once-devastated terrain, vast stretches of land have now been restored and returned to local communities, following multiple phases between July and December 2025. Each cleared area represents not only the removal of danger, but also a step toward economic growth, social stability, and strengthened border security. Through their quiet but vital work, engineering soldiers continue to transform former battlefields into safe and productive land, laying the foundation for lasting peace along Vietnam’s frontier.
Translated by Tran Hoai