History

Throughout the twentieth century, Vietnam was devastated by its struggle for independence from France, its border conflicts with China and Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge, and the Vietnam War.

Landmines were first used during the struggle for independence and continued through successive conflicts. The landmines that remain hinder the country’s potential for growth and development.

• The UN estimates that 7-8% of land in Vietnam is contaminated with landmines.
• Although major cities are affected, most landmines can be found in the 61 central provinces such as Quang Tri, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai.
• There are also many landmines on the border with China and Cambodia.
• Few mines but many UXO can be found on the border with Laos.

While the Vietnamese government claims that it is committed to clearing landmines, it is hesitant to give up what it views as a cost-effective method of safeguarding its national security.

• Vietnam has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty and it abstained from the annual UN General Assembly resolution supporting universal acceptance of the Mine Ban Treaty. Although it has signed the Convention on Conventional Weapons, it has not ratified it.
• The government does not use landmines, but it does continue to produce and stockpile them.

Mining Action

These policies, however, should not overshadow the fact that the government is taking action to clear mines. As Vietnam attracts more international investment, there is more of an incentive for the Vietnamese government to clear mines and as the population grows, there is increasing pressure for farming land.

• The People’s Army of Vietnam and the Army’s Engineering Command are the primary agencies involved in mine clearance.
• The government’s mine clearance programs are done with the intention of preparing land for housing, farming and infrastructure projects.
• The largest landmine clearance project that was undertaken by the military was done to pave the way for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Highway through Central Vietnam.

From 1975-2002, approximately 1,200 million square meters of land in total were cleared. The government’s work is complimented by the work of several international NGO’s. For example, after clearing the site of a former American Military based referred to as “Charlie 1”, the Mines Advisory Group resettled 78 families in Truc Lam village.

Since Vietnam’s economy is based largely on agriculture (more than two-thirds of the workforce is agricultural and Vietnam is the world’s main rice exporter), landmines are a serious impediment to development. Most landmine injuries take place while gathering wood, farming and tending livestock.

Vietnam’s economic growth is leading to the urbanization of land around mine affected areas and endangering more and more lives. Given the government’s reluctance to give up landmines, international support is greatly needed to further landmine clearance in Vietnam and pave the way towards a more sustainable future.