A Fresh Perspective on the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training Range in Ba Vì, Hà Nội
Embracing the Past, Securing the Future
Enhancing Post-War Collaboration: Establishment of UXO Disposal Training Facility in Vietnam & US
The Vietnam War left a daunting legacy of hidden dangers in the form of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mines spanning Vietnam's landscape. Decades later, the country continues to tackle this insidious challenge, with international partners playing a crucial role in the search for solutions. The establishment of an EOD training range in Ba Vì, Hà Nội, marks a significant stride in this unending battle against the destructive relics of a bygone war.
Flaming the Torch of Cooperation – The Genesis of the Training Range
- Fundamental Funding: The project was primarily financed by the Office of Defence Cooperation (ODC) under the US Embassy in Vietnam, thanks to a generous grant of over $700,000 from the US Government[1][2]. Groundbreaking for this groundbreaking facility took place in Hà Nội's outlying district of Ba Vì in July 2024[1][2].
The Training Range's Amenities and Targets
- The Lay of the Land: The sprawling two-hectare training range boasts an assortment of amenities, including classrooms, kitchen and sanitation blocks, assembly zones, mine detection and disposal areas, parking spaces, internal roads, and a calibration zone for mine clearance equipment[1][2]. It adheres to the stringent International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)[1][2].
- Training the Troops: Its ultimate objective is to bolster Vietnam's capabilities in the safe and efficient removal of UXO, ultimately developing the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) into a commanding national hub for mine action training and operations[1][2].
Fortifying Alliances and Foster Sustainability
The genesis of this training range underscores the unwavering collaboration between the US and Vietnam aiming to put a leash on the aftermath of the war. It underscores a commitment to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and best practices in UXO disposal, contributing to the broader National Mine Action Programme for the 2010–2025 period[1][2]. Moreover, this initiative goes beyond just landmine clearance—it provides economic opportunities and supports local governance by liberating land for productive use, which in turn contributes to Vietnam's overall development and social stability.
Delegates participnating the ceremony observe a demonstration of preparatory procedures before conducting bomb and mine clearance operations. -VNA/VNS Photo
- The Office of Defence Cooperation (ODC) under the US Embassy in Vietnam, with a generous grant from the US Government, primarily financed the establishment of the EOD training range in Ba Vì, Hà Nội.
- The training range, spanning two hectares, boasts a variety of amenities that adhere to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), including classrooms, detection and disposal areas, and a calibration zone for mine clearance equipment.
- The training range's objective is to bolster Vietnam's capabilities in UXO removal, transforming the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) into a leading national hub for mine action training and operations.
- This collaboration between the US and Vietnam signifies a commitment to addressing the war's aftermath, enhancing safety, operational efficiency, and best practices in UXO disposal, contributing to the National Mine Action Programme for the 2010–2025 period.
- Beyond landmine clearance, this initiative provides economic opportunities, supports local governance, and contributes to Vietnam's overall development and social stability by freeing land for productive use in the Pacific region.
