Funding for dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airport raised to 430 million USD

The funding for the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport has increased from 300 million USD to 430 million USD. Since 2019, over 107,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil have been excavated, with 13 hectares of land excavated and treated.
Workers are managing dioxin remediation inside the Bien Hoa Airport area.
Workers are managing dioxin remediation inside the Bien Hoa Airport area.

On the morning of January 17, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Marc Knapper, the US Ambassador to Vietnam, inspected the progress of Phase 1 of the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport.

Also in attendance, were representatives from various units under the Ministry of National Defence, officials from the US Embassy, USAID, and leaders of Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee.

During the inspection, leaders from the Air Defence and Air Force reported the results of Phase 1 of the project, highlighted difficulties and challenges, and proposed solutions to address them.

Representatives from participating agencies and units suggested measures to overcome limitations and improve coordination between military and civilian entities to accelerate the project’s implementation.

The delegation also conducted an on-site inspection of project activities and areas slated for handover in 2025.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien commended the efforts of the Air Defence and Air Force, USAID, and other involved units in executing Phase 1 of the project.

Notably, the first-phase thermal treatment technology design has been completed, and the design dossier was approved by the Ministry of National Defence in November 2024 for implementation.

Key milestones include excavation, monitoring, and supervision, with over 107,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil excavated since 2019 and 13 hectares treated.

Looking ahead, Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien directed the Air Defence, Air Force and related units to work closely to expedite the project. Coordination with USAID is required to quickly construct and install the thermal treatment system for the project.

The project must continue monitoring construction, environmental observation, and worker health per approved content, ensuring compliance with regulations on environmental protection, health, security, and safety.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Hoang Xuan Chien and Ambassador Marc Knapper inspect the progress of the Phase 1 dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Hoang Xuan Chien and Ambassador Marc Knapper inspect the progress of the Phase 1 dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport.

Close collaboration with USAID and consulting firms is needed to define the scope and workload for the additional funding, enabling early research and submission of a feasibility study and project adjustments to the Ministry of National Defence and the Prime Minister for approval.

A combined event in April 2025 will include the groundbreaking for the thermal treatment system, an amendment to the limited aid agreement to increase the US Government’s ODA grant to 430 million USD, and the handover of treated land.

On the same morning at Bien Hoa Airport, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien hosted US Ambassador Marc Knapper.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence affirmed that cooperation between the two countries in addressing the aftermath of bombs, mines, and chemical/dioxin contamination has been effectively implemented over the past year, achieving significant progress.

This collaboration has contributed to healing the wounds of war, cleaning polluted areas, supporting Vietnam’s socio-economic development, and strengthening national defence and security.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien thanked USAID for its efforts in securing US Government funding, raising the project budget from 300 million USD to 430 million USD, and allocating an additional 140 million USD to expand support for victims of chemical/dioxin exposure in Vietnam.

He requested Ambassador Marc Knapper to continue overseeing and directing USAID to closely collaborate with Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence in implementing joint efforts to address the aftermath of bombs, mines, and dioxin contamination.

Ambassador Marc Knapper expressed his gratitude to Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien for the meeting. He hoped that, based on the effective collaboration achieved so far, both sides would further strengthen their partnership in 2025 and beyond, achieving even greater results.