Vietnam shares experience in post-war landmine clearing
Vietnam shared experience and achievements in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war with the international community at a symposium themed “Safe ground, safe steps, safe home” held in the framework of the Mine Action Week hosted by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) on April 4.
Besides practical measures to deal with the consequences of landmines in the country, Vietnam actively participates in international joint efforts on this work. (Photo: VNA)
New York(VNA) - Vietnam shared experience and achievements in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war with the internationalcommunity at a symposium themed “Safe ground, safe steps, safe home” held inthe framework of the Mine Action Week hosted by the United Nations Mine ActionService (UNMAS) on April 4.
Addressing the event, AmbassadorDang Hoang Giang, Head of Vietnam's Permanent Mission to the UnitedNations (UN), said the Government and relevant agencies of Vietnam have outlinedand implemented specific programmes and measures to remove and address the heavy consequences of post-war UXO, and support victims.
He thanked internatio🏅nal partners and friends for theirvaluable support and assistance🍒 for Vietnam in this work.
Participants at the symposium (Photo: VNA)
At the event, a documentary film produced bythe Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) was screened, helping the international community better understand aboutVietnam's achievements and efforts in overcoming the consequencesof landmines and mines.
Delegates emphasisedthat terrible impacts of landmines and UXO are still a burning problem in manycountries and regions around the world. They also highlighted the importance ofraising public awareness and the need to step up international cooperation indealing with the problem.
In recent years,besides practical measures to deal with the consequences of landmines in thecountry, Vietnam has actively participated in international joint efforts onthis work. In April 2021, in accordance with the proposal of Vietnam as the President of the UnitedNations Security Council, the council adopted a presidential statement that affirmsthe UNSC’s commitment and upholds the necessity of international cooperation inovercoming consequences of landmines.
The Mine Action Week is organised annually by UNMAS to discuss futureimplementation plans of the international community, as well as recognise theefforts of organisations and individuals in mine remediation activities, including the International Campaign to BanLandmines (ICBL).
It also aims to reviewachievem𒁃ents by UN member states since the Anti-Person﷽nel Mine Ban Convention took effect in 1999./.
As many as 2,000 people were killed by post-war landmines between 2010 and 2014, while an estimated 6.1 million hectares accounting for more than 21 percent of Vietnam’s land remains contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO).
A delegation from the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) and HALO Trust of the United Kingdom held a working session with the People's Committee of northern border Lang Son province on coordination in overcoming the consequences of bombs, landmines and unexploded ordnances in the locality.
The central province of Quang Tri has so far cleared over 25,000 ha of land from war-left landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) and safely handled 765,000 UXO items.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are committed to support the Government of Vietnam in realising the goal to tackle UXO pollution nationwide.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide.
In recent decades, Vietnam’s mainstream media has become a reliable and persuasive channel for showcasing the nation’s development policies and achievements, especially in economic matters, according to a senior assistant editor at the Times of India.
A hub for sharing best practices, the event aims to forge solutions for financial sustainability, public media contracts, audience engagement, content innovation, and newsroom restructuring. It is also a moment for Vietnam’s media to accelerate its progress and figure out what the “revolutionary press” means in a new era.
From “Thanh nien”, Vietnam’s first revolutionary newspaper founded by Nguyen Ai Quoc (later President Ho Chi Minh) on June 21, 1925, the revolutionary press has remained devoted to its sacred missions -accompanying the nation, serving the Fatherland, and working for the people.
The official launch of Emirates’ Dubai–Da Nang route on June 2 has sparked a “tourism revolution” for Vietnam’s central coastal city. Da Nang is emerging as a top destination for high-end travelers, particularly from the lucrative Middle Eastern market.
Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said VNA has been a consistent and reliable partner in OANA, contributing actively to the regional media landscape through content sharing, coordination, and policy discussions. Their coverage of ASEAN and Indochina issues adds valuable perspectives. Bernama appreciates the collaboration with VNA.
In this era of global integration and digitalisation, the press must adopt modern multimedia models to not only meet increasing information and communication demands but also align with the broader socio-economic development of the country.
A master plan on implementation of recommendations accepted by Vietnam under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) took effect on June 17.
Running until June 21, the festival brings together more than 80 central and local media organisations, featuring nearly 130 exhibition booths that cover the full spectrum of national life, encompassing economy, politics, culture, society, defence, security, and foreign affairs.
As of June 17, Ca Mau province had achieved its target of supporting the construction and renovation of 4,400 homes, with a total budget of over 235 billion VND (about 9 million USD).
Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) Le Quoc Minh has called for technology to be leveraged not to replace identity, but to enhance it—allowing Vietnamese journalism to reach both local and global audiences.
In recent years, with strong support from the Party and State, and building on its tradition as a heroic news agency, the VNA has not only actively participated in OANA but also proactively proposed various ideas for cooperation, helping shape a fresh image of effective media collaboration in the digital era, said VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang.
The education sector has been one of the foundations playing a vital role in deepening Vietnam – New Zealand ties, said Prof. Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Besides practical measures to deal with the consequences of landmines in the country, Vietnam actively participates in international joint efforts on this work. (Photo: VNA) 
Participants at the symposium (Photo: VNA) 
