Steering Committee on UXO, toxic chemical consequences established
The Prime Minister has decided to establish a National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Toxic Chemical Consequences.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Prime Minister has decided to establish a National SteeringCommittee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and ToxicChemical Consequences.
Thecommittee is formed on the foundation of the State Steering Committee on theNational Action Programme on the Settlement of Toxic Chemical Consequences.
PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is the committee’s head, while deputy heads areDefence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of Natural Resources and EnvironmentTran Hong Ha, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung andMinister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung.
Itsmembers include the deputy ministers of Defence; Natural Resources andEnvironment; Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; Science and Technology;Foreign Affairs; Health; Public Security; Planning and Investment; Finance;Information and Communications; and Justice; and a leader of the Vietnam Unionof Friendship Associations.
Thecommittee’s task is to study and submit to the PM measures to tackle importantand inter-sectoral issues related to the settlement of bomb and mine and toxicchemical consequences, as well as measures to attract domestic and foreign aidssupporting this work.
Thecommittee also helps build five-year and annual plans to implement the nationalaction programme, while coordinating the work between ministries,ministry-level offices, and local People’s Committees.
Thecommittee’s standing office is located at the Ministry of Defence.
Between1945 and 1975, more than 15 million tonnes of bombs and mines, four times theamount used in World War II, were dumped on Vietnam. As a result, about 800,000tonnes of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) are scattered across over 20 percent ofland nationwide, mainly in the central region. More than 100,000 people havebecome victims of UXOs.
Meanwhile,from 1961 to 1971, US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides- 44 million litres of which were AO, containing nearly 370kg of dioxin - onsouthern Vietnam.
Asa result, about 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Manyof the victims have died, while millions of their descendants are living withdeformities and diseases as a direct result of the AO/dioxin effects. -VNA
The National Mine Action Programme for 2010-2025 has helped survivors of war-time bombs and mines return to normal life and raised public awareness of bomb and mine risks.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) held a press conference on March 28 to update the media on the unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination and the settlement of post-war UXO consequences in Vietnam.
Thousands of youngsters gathered in a ceremony in the central province of Quang Nam on April 4 to launch activities responding to the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Vietnamese expatriates in France joined locals in a march on May 1 to call for support for Vietnamese people who suffer physical and mental pain caused by Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin sprayed by the US army during the war in Vietnam.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Bomb and mine clearance (Source: VNA) 
