Vietnam

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 16 November 2020

In 2019, four donors contributed US$19.6 million for clearance and risk education in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; this was $4.6 million more than in 2018 (a 31% increase).[1] The United States (US) has provided the largest annual contribution each year since 2010. In 2019, the US provided $15 million, representing more than three-quarters (77%) of total international assistance.

Vietnam did not receive international support for victim assistance in 2019. Instead, all funds were allocated to clearance and risk education activities.

International contributions: 2019[2]

Donor

Sector

Amount (national currency)

Amount (US$)

US

Clearance and risk education

US$15,000,000

15,000,000

United Kingdom

Clearance and risk education

£2,941,554

3,755,776

Japan

Clearance and risk education

¥69,336,829

636,001

Ireland

Clearance

€200,000

223,880

Total

 

N/A

19,615,657

Note: N/A=not applicable.

In 2019, as in previous years, Vietnam did not report national contributions to mine action, but in the past, it was reported in the media that Vietnam was spending $30 million per year on mine clearance work.[3] The lack of transparency and legislative oversight makes tracking government expenditures for mine action difficult. In April 2010, Vietnam released its 2010–2025 National Mine Action Plan. Although the plan did not include projected costs, a media article at the time of the plan’s release reported Vietnam “annually invests hundreds of billions of dong on disposing UXO [sic] and supporting victims.”[4]

International contributions to mine action in Vietnam have totaled some $67.7 million since 2015, representing an average of about $13.5 million per year.

Summary of contributions: 2015–2019[5]

Year

Amount (US$)

2019

19,615,657

2018

14,987,273

2017

13,778,168

2016

12,076,669

2015

7,207,098

Total

67,664,865

 


[1] Ireland Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 March 2020; Japan Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 March 2020; United Kingdom Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2019), 2020; and US Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), “To Walk the Earth in Safety 2019,” 2 April 2020.

[2] Average exchange rates for 2019: €1=US$1.1194; £1=US$1.2768; and ¥109.02=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2020.

[3]VN calls on donors to help with clean up of explosives,” Vietnam News, 15 March 2014.

[4]PM approves programme on unexploded ordnance,” Vietnam News, 29 April 2010. The equivalent of VND100 billion is approximately US$5.28 million. Average exchange rate for 2009: US$1=VND17493.10, Oanda.com, Historical Exchange Rates.

[5] See previous Monitor reports. Totals for international support in 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been updated as a result of revised US funding data.