DANANG, May 3, 2016-- U.S. Ambassador Ted Osius and Deputy Minister of Defense Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh announced today the successful treatment of dioxin-contaminated soil at Danang Airport under a project managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of National Defense. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam attended the event.

Joint scientific sampling of the approximately 45,000 cubic meters of treated soil established that it is well within the agreed treatment goal. “Completing the first phase of treatment marks a significant milestone for the project and our two nations,” said Ambassador Osius. “We did this in partnership, learning from each other, to accomplish an historic scientific and diplomatic achievement. This project shows how much we can accomplish in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.” 

At the event to announce the successful completion of Phase 1, treated land and soil from the project site was formally accepted by the Government of Vietnam. The Airports Corporation of Vietnam will use the land to construct a new taxiway and plane parking area to support the Danang International Airport expansion planned to prepare for the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The United States and Vietnam launched the historic project to address dioxin contamination at the Danang Airport in August 2012. Treatment of the first phase of contaminated soil was initiated in 2014 with an event attended by a U.S. Congressional delegation led by Senator Patrick Leahy; Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Chí Vịnh, Vietnam’s Vice Minister of National Defense; and other senior U.S. and Vietnamese government officials. The announcement today reflects the strength of cooperation over the course of the project. Treatment will begin on the second and final phase of approximately 45,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and sediment later this year.

For photos of the event, visit: https://www.flickr.com/gp/usaid_vietnam/ng02vs

For more information about the project, visit: http://www.usaid.gov/vietnam/environmental-remediation