Inauguration of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Ground

Delegates perform the inauguration ceremony of the training ground - Photo: VGP/Vu Phong

Attending the ceremony were Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Head of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Overcoming the Consequences of Post-War Bombs, Mines and Toxic Chemicals in Vietnam; Major General Tran Trung Hoa, Commander of the Engineering Corps, General Director of the VNMAC Center; Major General Lance Okamura, Deputy Commander of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC); Mr. Marc E.Knaper, US Embassy in Vietnam and representatives of the US Office of Defense Cooperation in Vietnam.

The explosive ordnance disposal training ground began construction in July 2024 with non-refundable aid funded by the Office of Defense Cooperation, US Embassy in Vietnam, with a total cost of more than 700,000 USD (equivalent to 16.86 billion VND).

The project is built on an area of ​​2 hectares in Ba Vi district, Hanoi city, including classrooms, kitchens, toilets, assembly areas, mine detection areas, explosives disposal areas, parking areas and internal road systems, and construction of a mine clearance equipment calibration area at VNMAC Headquarters, serving testing and inspection of specialized equipment.

This is a training ground according to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), serving the training work, improving the capacity to overcome the consequences of bombs and mines in Vietnam, contributing to the implementation of the National Action Program to overcome the consequences of bombs and mines in the period 2010 - 2025, improving training capacity, ensuring safety in the work of overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines, contributing to protecting people's lives, minimizing risks caused by remaining bombs and mines, and at the same time promoting the process of building a Training Center/VNMAC with sufficient capacity to perform the functions of a National Training Center on Mine Action.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan said that over the years, the United States has provided Vietnam with a lot of support in overcoming the consequences of war in general and in overcoming the consequences of post-war bombs and mines in particular. That support is of great significance, contributing to accelerating the implementation of the National Action Program on overcoming the consequences of post-war bombs and mines for the period 2010-2025 (Program 504), supporting socio-economic development in localities contaminated with bombs and mines. Cooperation in overcoming the consequences of post-war bombs and mines is also one of the foundations for developing the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the United States into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

In order for the training ground to be put into effective use, for the right purpose, and to ensure safety, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan requested the VNMAC Center to proactively coordinate with relevant units and agencies to develop a plan to organize forces to manage and use the training ground in accordance with regulations. Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan believes that the cooperation and support of the United States in overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines will contribute significantly to strengthening cooperation for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

Mr. Marc E. Knapper, US Ambassador to Vietnam, said that the completion of the training ground is not only a symbol of cooperative efforts, but also represents the two countries' shared commitment to peace and security. The project is also a testament to the cooperation between the two countries' Ministries of Defense, realizing one of the items in the bilateral cooperation plan for the 2023-2028 period between the two sides on resolving the consequences of explosive remnants of war.

The inauguration ceremony of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Ground took place at a very special and meaningful time in 2025, the year marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam - US relations (1995-2025), a special milestone in the relationship between the two countries, especially after the two countries upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new phase of deeper, more substantive and effective cooperation for peace, cooperation and development. This is the lever for the two sides to promote cooperation in the field of humanitarian mine action as a solid premise for the Vietnam National Mine Action Center to continue to develop sustainably, in line with the direction expected by the Government.

The Office of Defense Cooperation, U.S. Embassy in Vietnam has made many contributions to the field of mine action through non-project technical assistance, specialized training and equipment provision. Since 2016, ODC has made significant contributions to supporting capacity building for VNMAC on international mine action standards (IMAS), continuously increasing funding for mine action activities in Vietnam.

Vu Phong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khanh-thanh-thao-truong-huan-luyen-xu-ly-vat-lieu-no-102250324141246817.htm