Their visit follows an historic bilateral agreement signed in June in which Vietnam agreed to join the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program in order to receive modern demining equipment and related assistance. This modern equipment will help Vietnam tackle its extensive landmine and unexploded ordnance problem which, in some regions, continues to pose a significant physical hazard and obstacle to economic recovery and development years after conflicts with France and then the United States. Even prior to the June agreement, the State Department funded a very successful mine awareness program in Quang Tri Province, a joint effort of Peacetrees Vietnam, an American non-governmental organization, and James Madison University's Mine Action Information Center. This program was developed in concert with provincial government officials and is now fully operated by Vietnamese organizations. The United Nations and the U.S. Department of State estimate that there are approximately 3.5 million landmines in Vietnam.
Unexploded ordnance constitutes an additional threat.
Quang Tri Province, which adjoins the former border between North and South Vietnam, is one of the most affected regions although mines and unexploded ordnance also pose a threat near the Vietnam-China border and regions bordering Laos. Sadly, mines and unexploded ordnance continue to claim Vietnamese victims. Vietnam suffers over 2,000 casualties a year from landmines and unexploded ordnance. The Vietnamese Army has been engaged in humanitarian demining since the mid-1980s. Their expertise has been demonstrated by landmine clearance along their border with China and successful demining of more than 500 kilometers along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.