Today, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Ito Naoki, visited MAG's field operations in Quang Tri Province, one of the most heavily contaminated areas in Vietnam due to explosive remnants of war.
The visit underscored Japan’s strong support for mine action projects in Vietnam. Ambassador Ito Naoki observed the clearance of cluster munitions, the most widespread and hazardous type of unexploded ordnance in the country and the leading cause of explosive ordnance accidents.
During the visit, the Ambassador personally initiated the demolition of three explosive items (two submunitions and one projectile) recovered at the site.
Following the field visit, the Ambassador attended a handover ceremony in Hoan Lao Commune, Quang Tri Province, where MAG officially returned over 2km² of land that had been safely cleared of cluster munitions back to the community. This cleared land will enable people to farm, live safely, and develop sustainable livelihoods.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Ito Naoki remarked: “Before this ceremony, I observed MAG’s clearance activities. I truly felt that MAG is working to deliver hope, safety, and opportunities for the future to the residents of Quang Tri Province by freeing them from UXO. In Vietnam now, various reforms are being carried out to strongly support economic growth.
"Quang Tri Province, which made a fresh start on July 1, is aiming to become a new growth hub in the northern central region under the Party Secretary, Le Ngoc Quang. For this, it is essential to secure as much safe land and safety and security for people's lives in Quang Tri Province as possible, and I believe the international community needs to cooperate in removing cluster munitions and other ordnances.”
Representing local authorities, Mr. Nguye Van Hai, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoan Lao Commune, expressed: “During MAG’s operations in our locality, thousands of explosive items have been safely removed, restoring safety to dozens of hectares of farmland and opening new opportunities for livelihoods. This has contributed to a safer life for the people of Hoan Lao Commune.
"MAG has also worked alongside the community to raise awareness about the risks of unexploded ordnance. On behalf of the commune, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the MAG technical experts and staff, to all donors supporting this project, and especially to the Government of Japan for its active and ongoing support.”
Since 2015, funding from Japan has enabled MAG to clear over 26 km² of contaminated land, respond to more than 7,000 reports of explosive ordnance found by local communities, and safely destroy over 30,000 dangerous items. Thanks to these efforts, more than 125,000 people have been able to live, farm, and build a safer future.
In addition, through 1,121 explosive ordnance risk education sessions, the projects have helped more than 22,800 people, including both adults and children, acquire essential knowledge and skills to protect themselves in areas affected by explosive remnants of war.
The Government of Japan remains a committed partner in supporting humanitarian mine action to address the lasting impacts of war in Vietnam. Through its long-standing partnership with MAG, Japan has contributed to making communities safer, enabling local development, and promoting a future free from the threat of explosive remnants of war.
Learn more about MAG's work in Vietnam here.
