HANDOVER 6 HALI OF CLEANED LAND CONTAMINATED WITH DIOXIN AT BIEN HOA AIRPORT
September 15, 2025 – A historically significant event took place at Bien Hoa Airport as the U.S. Embassy officially handed over the certification for 6 hectares of land successfully treated and cleared of dioxin contamination. After 6 years of implementing this bilateral cooperation project, this marks a crucial milestone, signifying the persistent efforts of both Vietnam and the United States in addressing the legacy of war and moving toward a sustainable future.
On September 15, 2025, a historic event took place at Bien Hoa Airport, when the US Embassy officially handed over the certificate of handover of 6 hectares of land that had been successfully treated and no longer contaminated with dioxin. After 6 years of implementing the bilateral cooperation project, this is an important milestone, marking the persistent efforts of both Vietnam and the US in overcoming the consequences of war and moving towards a sustainable future.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, from December 2019 to now, the Vietnam - US cooperation project has treated nearly half of the contaminated land area inside and outside the airport, reaching the safety threshold, handing it over to the military and Dong Nai province to serve economic, social and defense development.
To implement the next phase, the project started the thermal dioxin treatment technology system - the key step to success, aiming to complete the treatment of all toxic substances at the airport before 2030.
Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, assessed the handover of 6 hectares of clean land as an important milestone, affirming the effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries in overcoming the consequences of war.
Bien Hoa Airport used to be a key US military base, where herbicides were stored for spraying campaigns. From the end of 1969 to March 1970, there were 4 spills and leaks of toxic chemicals into the environment with about 2,500 liters of white substance and 25,000 liters of Agent Orange.
The dioxin treatment project in Bien Hoa is expected to last 10 years, divided into two phases, treating a total of about 500,000 m3 of land with a budget of 430 million USD. Of which, 150,000 m3 of soil will be cleaned in phase 1, until 2025.
On the same day, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper signed an agreement to provide an additional $32 million in non-refundable aid to expand the project to support the improvement of the quality of life for people with disabilities in provinces that were heavily sprayed with Agent Orange. The program has been implemented since 2021 in Quang Tri, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, Dong Nai, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and will soon be expanded to Ca Mau.
After 3 years, the project has supported more than 32,000 people with disabilities and victims of Agent Orange, achieving more than 60% of the set target, including health care, medical care, and employment activities.
