First phase treatment of dioxin-contaminated soil completed

PANO - The first phase of the project to treat dioxin-contaminated soil at Da Nang International Airport was completed after ten months of work. This was announced at a ceremony held jointly by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on May 3^rd in Da Nang City.

Present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Sen. Lt. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, and US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius.

Delegates posing for a photo at the ceremony

Addressing the ceremony, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh said the success of the project demonstrates functional cooperation between the Vietnamese and US Governments, and between governmental agencies of the two countries. This cooperation enables participating units inside and outside the army to increase their professionalism and ability to treat contaminated land.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Defense Ministry, the deputy minister thanked the Vietnamese Government and Da Nang for creating favorable conditions for the ministry and USAID to complete the task. He also acknowledged the contributions of the US Ambassador to Vietnam – and of other US citizens - to the successful completion of the first phase. The Vietnamese general said the success of the first phase would deepen cooperation between the two governments while confronting dioxin contamination at Da Nang Airport by the second quarter of 2018, as well as in dealing with other hotspots in Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said the project has historical significance and is a practical action to overcome the consequences of the war. It demonstrates the efforts of both sides to move on from the past and to look towards the future.

The Deputy PM said Vietnam and the US have many opportunities to develop their comprehensive partnership. Both countries should prioritize addressing dioxin contamination, as well as detecting and clearing unexploded ordnance left after the war. 

The Deputy Pm thanked the US for providing technical and financial assistance to Vietnam. He also said the second phase of the project would be completed as planned.

The project to address dioxin contamination at Da Nang Airport began in August 2012. The first phase started in 2014. In ten months, participating forces treated 45,000 cubic meters of soil in seriously contaminated areas. 6 of the 15 hectares of treated land were handed over to the Vietnam Aviation Cooperation for the expansion of Da Nang International Airport, to prepare for the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.