Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Major General Lance Okamura, Deputy Commander in charge of civil affairs of the US Army in the Pacific, discussed continued defense cooperation to overcome war consequences as proposed within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Cooperation in overcoming the consequences of post-war bombs and mines is one of the foundations for developing the Vietnam-US relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The handover of the training ground also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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Delegates visit the display area of ​​training equipment and models. Photo: US Embassy

Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan said that in Vietnam, the consequences of bombs, mines, and explosives left over from the war are still affecting people's lives, health, and property.

Over the past years, Vietnam has made efforts to overcome the consequences of post-war bombs and mines; a large area has been cleared of bombs, mines and explosives to serve production and socio-economic development.

However, to clean up 5.6 million hectares of land suspected of being contaminated with bombs, mines and explosives nationwide, many problems must be solved and a lot of resources are needed.

Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan assessed that the US has provided a lot of support to Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war in general and overcoming the consequences of post-war bombs and mines in particular.

"Since 2016, U.S. Army Pacific, through the Humanitarian Mine Action Program, has supported the mine clearance efforts of the Vietnam Mine Action Center (VNMAC).

"The Ba Vi training ground provides VNMAC with a dedicated training ground to conduct important mine clearance training, continue to develop its teaching staff, and meet management requirements and implement activities to overcome the consequences of war," said Major General Okamura.

For his part, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper shared that Vietnam's ability to contribute to addressing challenges related to unexploded bombs and mines will continue to increase, strengthening Vietnam's role as a responsible and active member of the international community.

Overcoming the consequences of war is a fundamental element of the strong relationship between the two countries.

The visit by Major General Lance Okamura, Deputy Commander of the US Army Pacific, demonstrates the maintenance of the trust that the two countries have built since establishing relations in 1995.

In the coming time, the US Army in the Pacific wishes to cooperate with Vietnam in humanitarian assistance training, disaster relief, military medical support, construction projects and programs to build civil-military relations.

The Ba Vi Humanitarian Mine Clearance Training Field has a total area of ​​2 hectares with an investment of 700,000 USD, built in 2024. The training field complies with international mine action standards and is designed to train personnel for mine clearance operations.

There is a dedicated training area that meets standards for handling explosive ordnance, conducting mine clearance operations, testing equipment and training in demolition procedures.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/my-vien-tro-700-000-usd-xay-thao-truong-xu-ly-vat-lieu-no-tai-ha-noi-2383945.html