Since 1975, bombs and mines left from the war in Vietnam killed more than 40,000 people and injured 60,000 others, mainly those of working-age and children.

Vietnam has been ranked one of the countries most contaminated with unexploded bombs and mines in the world.

It is estimated that the volume of bombs and mines left from the war is around 800,000 tons, contaminating around 6.13 million hectares of land or nearly 19 percent of Vietnam’s total area.

On April 21, 2010, the government approved a national action programme on settling the consequences of unexploded ordnance, known as Programme 504.

Its goal is to use national and international resources to minimise the effects of UXOs on social-economic development, defence and security, while ensuring safety for people and helping victims reintegrate into society.

VNA/VNP