The event served as a key platform to raise awareness and responsibility among government agencies while enhancing international cooperation and donor engagement, particularly from 13 countries that maintain comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam.
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Sr. Lt. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, presents Friendship Orders from the Vietnamese State President to the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Vietnam and the PeaceTrees Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) |
Under the National Action Programme on the Settlement of Unexploded Ordnance Consequences (Program 504) for 2010–2025, Vietnam has increased global mine action partnerships and experience sharing with the governments of the U.S., Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, the U.K., France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany. International and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the U.N. Mine Action Service (UNMAS), have also contributed expertise and funding
Vietnam has expanded ties with international mine action agencies such as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC). Collaborations with foreign embassies and NGOs have sealed memorandums of understanding, beefed up institutional capacity and scored international funding.
From 2020 to 2025, VNMAC and local authorities secured 44 projects, pulling in 138.5 million USD in pledged aid. Of these, VNMAC rolled out 10 projects, while Quang Tri province handled 30 and Hue city managed four.
Between 2023 and 2024, 73,198ha of land were cleared of mines and UXO, with the army handling 59,310ha and VNMAC, alongside international partners, clearing 13,888ha.
Chairing the event, Sr. Lt. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense and head of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Overcoming the Post-War UXO and Toxic Chemicals Consequences (Committee 701), asked VNMAC and relevant agencies to propose a new National Mine Action Plan that is grounded in science and meets real-world needs.
Chien called for a rapid finalisation of the Ordinance on Overcoming Post-war Mine and UXO Consequences, along with relevant legal frameworks and projects, to get more local and foreign players in on the action. He also appealed to international organizations, enterprises, organizations and individuals at home and abroad for their continued support to speed up Vietnam’s cleanup and recovery.
On the occasion, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Vietnam and the PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) were honored with the prestigious Friendship Orders from the Vietnamese State President. Three international organizations, 19 collectives, and seven individuals also earned certificates of merit from the Prime Minister for their mine-clearing efforts from 2006-2022.
Source: VNA