They are not just lumps of metal. They are cluster bombs, or unexploded cluster munitions (each containing dozens to hundreds of steel pellets that scatter upon detonation). A single physical trigger could claim a life or leave someone permanently disabled. And these bombs are only one among dozens of explosive remnants of war still scattered across Vietnam. No one knows exactly how many remain in total.

“It could take a thousand years, or perhaps Vietnam will never be completely cleared of explosives”, said Chuck Searcy, an American veteran, peace advocate, humanitarian, and co-founder of Project RENEW.

I once thought of war as something long buried in the past, but it does not. A silent war still lingers beneath the ground of a land long declared at peace.

Why hasn’t the war truly ended for the Vietnamese?

On April 30, 1975, the two-decade-long war came to an end, marking Vietnam’s reunification and peace. Yet peace did not mean an end to casualties. According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, since 1975 more than 100,000 Vietnamese have fallen victim to unexploded ordnance (UXO). Millions more have lived with disabilities caused by Agent Orange.

During the war, more than five million tons of bombs were dropped on Vietnam – the largest bombardment of any country in history and double the total tonnage dropped by the U.S. Air Force during World War II. A large portion of these fell on Quang Tri, making it the most bombed place in the world.

Today, remnants of that history still lie beneath Quang Tri’s soil, not just large bombs, but countless cluster munitions, shells, mortars, grenades, and mines. Many lie just below the surface, posing deadly risks, especially when heavy floods frequently sweep through Central Vietnam.

For those living safely elsewhere, it may be hard to imagine the fear of living on land riddled with explosives. But imagine a child having to learn how to distinguish between a bomb and a toy in order to survive.

Data from Project RENEW – a partnership between Quang Tri Province and international NGOs to clear UXO – shows that more than one-third of UXO victims are children under 18, with most under 15. Cluster munitions remain the deadliest threat.

However, victims are not only human lives, the economy also suffers.

After the war, Quang Tri was largely an agricultural province. When farmland was contaminated by explosives, local people could hardly make a living. Worse still, injuries caused by UXO stripped families of their labor capacity, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

Unexploded ordnance are like ghosts of the war, created for destruction but unable to die itself. After visiting the all-female UXO clearance team of Project RENEW/NPA (Norwegian People’s Aid) funded by the U.S. government through the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, Vietnamese American poet and essayist Kimberly Nguyễn wrote:

“bury a seed
you eat the fruit of its tree.
implant a bomb, and you swallow a ghost,
buried alive, returning now to die
a second, final death. let us lay
all these ghosts to rest…
may the past be a wound we close,
so that the future can never reopen it.”

(Excerpted from the poem “reaping what you sow”.)

For a safer Quang Tri, for a future without fear

Healing the consequences of war is a long journey, and some have dedicated their entire lives to it. Dang Quang Toan, Victim Assistance/Disability Support Program Manager, joined Project RENEW right after his university graduation in 2004. He has now spent nearly 25 years with the project.

“I’ve witnessed unforgettable suffering among war victims. The positive changes the project has brought to families are what motivates me and my colleagues to keep faith in our mission.” he shared.

Over two decades, Dang Quang Toan has met and supported thousands of victims of UXO and Agent Orange. Among the most haunting yet inspiring stories is that of Ho Van Lai.

Lai, now 35, is a core member of Project RENEW’s Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Program. At the age of 10, he and his cousins picked up cluster munitions while playing. They threw one at another, triggering an explosion. His cousins were killed instantly. Lai lost an eye, both legs, his right arm, and most of his left hand. Over 86% of his body was pierced with shrapnel.

No one thought he would survive, but miraculously, he did – bearing deep scars, both physical and mental. Against all odds, Lai returned to school, worked diligently and dedicated himself to helping others.

Lai is also one of over 3,000 amputees who have received support from Project RENEW’s Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotics Outreach Program in recent years.

The prosthetic devices enable Lai to participate actively in social and cultural events in town and around the district, Lai explained:

“For people with disabilities, this kind of service is really practical and meaningful. Along with income generation and Viet Nam’s comprehensive law on disabilities, these are important ways to sustain the lives of people with disabilities, to create favorable conditions and opportunities for persons with disabilities to integrate into cultural and social activities.”

Thanks to Project RENEW, NPA and other international demining organizations working in Quang Tri for more than 2 decades, the casualty rate has dropped significantly. In 2019, for the first time, the province recorded zero accidents, deaths or injuries from explosive remnants of war.

Bomb and mine clearance will continue for decades, and no one knows when, or if Vietnam can ever be completely free of UXO. Despite that, the truth is, even today thousands of bombs left over WWI and WWII are still found each year across Europe. According to Spiegel Online, in Germany alone, more than 2,000 tons of ordnance – from grenades to anti-tank mines and artillery shells – are found annually. That is why it is neither possible nor necessary to remove every single bomb in Vietnam.

The real goal is to make Quang Tri safe – by prioritizing the clearance of cluster munitions, grenades, mortars, shells, and other small explosives that lie on or just beneath the surface. These are the weapons that most often cause casualties among children, farmers, and other vulnerable groups. At the same time, safety can be ensured when both children and adults are taught about the dangers of unexploded ordnance and how to protect themselves if they come across it.

That’s why, beyond clearance work, the Project RENEW team is pushing forward with two key missions:

• Risk education for vulnerable groups, especially children.
• Victim assistance and rehabilitation for survivors of UXO and Agent Orange.

In 2024, with funding from the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, Project RENEW partnered with Behalf Studio to launch a digital education platform. This interactive resource transforms data into vivid stories, connecting communities and shedding light on ongoing clearance work. The next step is to integrate technology into the “Mine Action Visitor Center”, offering interactive experience to help youth and international visitors understand UXO risks.

 

The long-term vision is to develop the center into a modern museum with advanced exhibitions and interactive technology, raising global awareness of UXO and humanitarian efforts, while positioning Quang Tri as a must-visit historic destination and a potential hub for educational tourism and local economic growth.

Vietnam – A global leader of peace

Ngo Xuan Hien, Communications and Development Manager at Project RENEW, reflected on ongoing wars in the Middle East and along the Russia-Ukraine border: “We don’t know when those wars will end. But we know their legacies will be as devastating as those left behind in Vietnam.”

Chuck Searcy has also affirmed: “Vietnam can and should serve as a global model in addressing the long-lasting consequences of war.”

Yet, this mission cannot be completed overnight, nor can it be done alone. Only together can we truly close the painful legacy of war in Vietnam.

Nguyen Thanh Phu, UXO Risk Education Officer and Manager of the Mine Action Visitor Center at Project RENEW, adds:

“Overcoming the consequences of war, especially UXO and Agent Orange, is a long process that requires sustainable, multi-sector support. Every message we share, every bomb report from villagers, every story we tell visitors helps protect communities and build empathy. Together, we can make Quang Tri safe again. Together, we can turn the page on this painful chapter and look toward revival and growth.”

Project RENEW is seeking your support to carry on its humanitarian mission of aiding people with disabilities, Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, saving life through mine risk education for vulnerable groups affected by bombs and mines. Your contributions, regardless of size, hold immense value.See how your donations can help here.

The project “For a safer Quang Tri” is funded by the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam and implemented by RENEW Project & Behalf Studio. Read more about the project here.

Source: Vietcetera
Original article: Closing The Painful Legacy Of War In Vietnam Together

Project RENEW is seeking your support to carry on its humanitarian mission: aiding people with disabilities, supporting Agent Orange victims, and saving lives through explosive ordnance risk education for vulnerable groups. Your contributions, regardless of size, hold immense value.