HANOI—Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam is urgently appealing to the United States Embassy to restore funding for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Agent Orange cleanup projects. These critical initiatives have been significantly impacted by funding cuts implemented by the Trump-Musk administration.
Since taking office, the Trump-Musk regime has drastically reduced foreign aid projects, with the exception of those that support Israel’s wars in the Middle East. This blanket reduction in aid included the cessation of U.S. support for vital projects aimed at addressing the devastating and lasting effects of the Vietnam War, specifically UXO clearance and Agent Orange environmental clean-up.
During the Vietnam War, from 1965 to 1973, the U.S. military conducted one of the most extensive aerial bombardment campaigns in history, dropping approximately 7.5 million tons of bombs on Vietnam. This staggering total amounts to three times the tonnage used in World War II. The munitions dropped included a wide array of deadly weapons such as conventional bombs, aerial mines, cluster bombs, white phosphorus, and napalm. Approximately 30% of these bombs failed to detonate, leaving large swathes of land contaminated with unexploded ordnance.
As of 2025, it is estimated that 20% of Vietnam’s land is still contaminated by UXO. These remnants continue to pose a severe threat to local communities, hindering development and endangering lives. Since 1975, approximately 100,000 Vietnamese have been killed or injured by UXO, with 40% of these victims being children who often encounter these deadly munitions while playing outdoors or assisting their families in farming activities.
From 1961 to 1971, the U.S. military also conducted extensive chemical warfare operations under Operation Ranch Hand, spraying more than 20 million gallons of herbicides over Vietnam, including 12 million gallons of Agent Orange. This toxic defoliant contained dioxin, a highly carcinogenic compound that contaminates soil, water, and the food chain. Nearly five million Vietnamese were directly exposed to these chemicals, and the effects continue to be felt across generations. Today, Vietnam is witnessing the health consequences of dioxin exposure among second and third generations of victims, including congenital disabilities, cancers, and other chronic illnesses.
Quang Tri Province is one of the most heavily affected areas in the country. The province has suffered significantly from both large-scale UXO contamination and the long-term environmental and health effects of Agent Orange. Since the end of the war, nearly 10,000 people in Quang Tri have been killed or injured in UXO accidents. Tens of thousands of tons of unexploded munitions remain buried beneath the ground, posing an ongoing danger to the local population.
Clearing UXO and remediating Agent Orange contamination is an expensive and complex task. Vietnam, as a developing country, lacks the financial and technical resources needed to complete this work independently.
After the 1996 normalization of relations between Vietnam and the United States, the U.S. government committed to assisting in cleaning up the remnants of the war it waged on this country. This included efforts to clear UXO, address environmental contamination from Agent Orange, and provide technical support for decontamination efforts. However, the U.S. has historically failed to provide adequate assistance for the human victims of Agent Orange exposure.
Quang Tri Province has been at the center of these cleanup efforts, with collaboration between local authorities and international organizations, including the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Project RENEW, and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). These groups have worked tirelessly to make land safe for agricultural use and to educate communities about the dangers of UXO.
The recent freeze in foreign aid funding has forced thousands of specially trained workers—both Vietnamese and foreign—to abandon this critical work due to a lack of resources. The funding cuts have jeopardized years of progress, leaving contaminated areas unaddressed and communities vulnerable to further casualties.
The United States cannot ignore its legal, historical, and ethical responsibilities to address the consequences of its actions in Vietnam. The Vietnam War was an unprovoked conflict, and its aftermath remains a lasting tragedy.
It is imperative that the U.S. restores funding for UXO and Agent Orange cleanup projects to uphold its commitment to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of those affected by the war. This renewed support would help prevent further deaths and injuries, promote economic development, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to reconciliation and justice.
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