Today, on April 30th, Vietnam marks 50 years since the end of the war.
This national holiday, known as Reunification Day (Ngày Thống Nhất), signifies the end of decades of conflict and the beginning of an era of peace, recovery, and development.
While Vietnam has transformed itself over the past 50 years, the enduring legacy of war remains deeply embedded in the landscape.
Across Vietnam – and in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos – vast areas are still littered with unexploded ordnance: bombs, shells, grenades, and landmines left behind in the wake of war.
Even today, these remnants continue to pose a daily threat to communities.
The ongoing impact
Since the guns fell silent in 1975, explosive remnants of war have killed more than 40,000 people in Vietnam and injured around 60,000 more – many of them children, ethnic minorities, or those simply working the land to survive. Across the wider region, the death and injury toll exceed 100,000.
The most severely affected areas of Vietnam – Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, and Quang Nam – bore the brunt of the bombing campaigns. More than five million tons of ordnance were dropped on Vietnam during the war – more than twice the total used in the entirety of World War II.
In Laos, the scale of the bombing was unprecedented. The country became the most heavily bombed in history per capita, with over two million tons of ordnance dropped – the equivalent of one planeload every eight minutes for nine years. An estimated 30% of those munitions failed to detonate, leaving roughly a third of the country contaminated. Today, cluster munitions, often mistaken for toys or balls, are a particularly deadly threat to children.
Cambodia, too, was heavily affected during the war with explosive ordnance littering large areas of the north east of the country.
MAG’s work in the region
For more than 30 years, MAG has worked across the region to reduce the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance and restore safety and opportunity to affected communities.
In Vietnam alone, MAG teams have cleared over 285 million square metres of land, destroyed more than 398,000 explosive devices, and conducted over 3,200 risk education sessions, helping more than a 1.1 million people.
Among those leading the clearance efforts is Ninh, a Mine Action Team Lead from Quang Tri.
His commitment is deeply personal: "When I was six, my 12-year-old brother was killed by an unexploded bomb he found on his way home from school. In the years that followed, I was plagued by this loss. When I learned MAG operated in my hometown, I was eager to join their team.
"Since joining MAG in 2015, I have always felt proud to be part of the organisation. Whenever I find and safely remove explosive items at work, my pain is eased. I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that no one else suffers the same tragedy as my family. I have dedicated my life to this mission, and I know my brother would be proud of what I'm doing."
In Cambodia and Laos, MAG’s work continues apace. Clearance operations and risk education sessions have helped hundreds of thousands of people reclaim their land, rebuild their lives and equip the next generation with the knowledge needed to stay safe.
Looking ahead
As Vietnam commemorates the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, we recognise the extraordinary progress made thanks to the unwavering dedication of local communities, the determination of clearance teams, and the generous support of international donors and partners.
Yet, the commemoration also stands as a reminder: the end of conflict does not mean the end of danger. As of late 2024, the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre reported that approximately 17.7% of Vietnam’s land is still plagued by unexploded ordnance. Long-term commitment – both national and international – remains essential to achieving safe, sustainable development for years to come.
As Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos continue their journeys toward peace and prosperity, we reaffirm our commitment to helping communities overcome the legacies of conflict. MAG’s work is not just about removing physical threats – it’s about helping to rebuild lives and livelihoods and ensure that future generations can live free from fear.
