Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Naoki Ito presents certificates of land cleared of UXO to local authorities in Quảng Trị Province at the handover ceremony on July 30. — VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG TRỊ — A handover ceremony was held on Wednesday in Đông Trạch Commune, Quảng Trị Province, for over 2sq.km of land cleared of unexploded ordnance (UXO) as part of the Cluster Bomb Clearance Project in the formerly Quảng Bình Province.

The initiative falls under Japan’s Grassroots Human Security Grant Programme (GGP), known as Kusanone.

Present at the ceremony were Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Naoki Ito, local authorities, and representatives from Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Việt Nam, including Country Director Sarah Goring.

2025 marks 50 years since the end of the US war in Việt Nam, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war continue to cause injuries and fatalities – especially in Quảng Trị Province, one of the most heavily contaminated areas in the country.

MAG activities in Việt Nam. — Photo courtesy of the Japanese Embassy in Việt Nam

Over 6,000 casualties have been recorded in the area since the war ended, and large swathes of land remain abandoned due to the lingering threat of UXO, hindering infrastructure and agricultural development.

Japan has supported mine clearance efforts in Việt Nam for more than two decades, contributing approximately US$5.5 million to MAG’s activities in the formerly Quảng Bình area (now part of Quảng Trị Province) since 2015. To date, more than 26sq.km of land has been handed over, benefiting over 137,000 residents.

This project not only ensures the safety and security of local communities but also enables socio-economic growth, including rice, maize, and cassava cultivation, eucalyptus reforestation, and infrastructure improvements. Public awareness initiatives, especially for children, have also been implemented to educate residents on the dangers of UXO and safe practices.

Ambassador Ito expressed his satisfaction at seeing reclaimed land returned to local use and emphasised the shared post-war experiences of Japan and Việt Nam. He reiterated Japan’s continued commitment to supporting mine clearance operations.

"I hope that MAG’s activities and the widespread issue of unexploded ordnance in Việt Nam will become more widely known to the international community, and that this will serve as a platform to attract further support," the Japanese diplomat noted. — VNS