Vietnam destroys 27 unexploded bombs in operation backed by Norway

Unexploded wartime ordnance found during survey work in Quang Ngai Province was safely destroyed by the Vietnam National Mine Action Center with support from Norwegian People’s Aid. Photo: Vietnam National Mine Action Center.

A total of 27 pieces of unexploded wartime ordnance were safely destroyed in central Vietnam on 10 March, Vietnam National Mine Action Center reports.

The demolition marked another step in the long effort to clear unexploded ordnance that still threatens communities decades after the war.

The operation was carried out by the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC) together with the provincial military command in Quang Ngai Province. The work was supported by the humanitarian organisation Norwegian People’s Aid as part of an ongoing mine action project in the province.

According to VNMAC, the explosives were discovered during survey work in the Dak Bla and Dak Cam wards.

Dangerous discoveries during land survey

The finds included eight 105 mm artillery shells, one 81 mm mortar shell and 15 mortar shells of 60 mm. In addition, specialists located two M79 grenade rounds and one M26 hand grenade.

Such items remain highly dangerous even after decades underground. If disturbed or handled incorrectly they can still explode.

Photo: Vietnam National Mine Action Center

After being collected, the explosives were transported to the provincial military command’s central demolition site in Ngoc Tu ward. There, specialists carried out a carefully planned controlled detonation on 10 March.

All 27 items were destroyed safely.

Norwegian-funded project improves safety

The clearance operation forms part of a humanitarian mine action programme supported by the Government of Norway and implemented with assistance from Norwegian People’s Aid.

The project focuses on surveying land and removing explosive remnants of war to make affected areas safer for local communities.

More work is still underway in the area. According to VNMAC, teams planned to continue operations on 11 March to destroy additional explosives that cannot safely be moved from where they were found.

These include M79 grenade rounds as well as cluster munitions such as BLU-26, BLU-36 and BLU-59, which are known for their sensitive detonation mechanisms.

Large parts of central Vietnam remain contaminated with unexploded bombs and ammunition from past conflicts. Clearing them is considered essential to reduce risks for local people and allow land to be used safely again.