A project to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from the war in the northern mountainous provinces of Cao Bang and Lang Son was kicked off in Lang Son province on November 12. To be implemented from now until 2015 with an investment of VND74 billion ($3.47 million), the project is expected to clear a combined 657 ha of land polluted by UXO in Coc Pang, Bao Lac district, Cao Bang province and Quoc Khanh commune in Trang Dinh district, Lang Son province. Before the project, the High Command of Military Zone 1 worked with relevant agencies to conduct several other projects on bomb and mine clearance to serve socio-economic development in the two localities. However, about 3,249 ha of land in the two provinces still contain ordnance. The situation has hindered infrastructure expansion, resettlement programs and socio-economic development in the two provinces. As an urgent project of the National Action Program on Settling Consequences of UXO (known as Program 504) in the 2010-2015 period, the project aims to regenerate land resources, ensure safety for production and people living in the region, while restricting accidents caused by UXO. (vietnamplus.vn Nov 12)
