The Military Region 9 (MR9) force in southern Vietnam collected and handled over 193.4 tons of unexploded ordnance between 2013 and May 2018, mainly in Tien Giang, Ben Tre, and Dong Thap provinces, according to a report by the unit. Up to 30% of the area in the southern region are polluted with landmines and bombs, the report noted. Some of the provinces were named include Ca Mau (419.33ha), Soc Trang (199.42ha), An Giang (193.41ha), Kien Giang (105.57 ha), Ben Tre (84.78ha), Dong Thap (76.52ha), and Tra Vinh (71.95ha). The local forces told Quan Doi Nhan Dan newspaper that handling the bombs and mines remain a significant challenge to them as they do not have enough capital to tackle all areas while municipal authorities have no warehouses to store the bombs and mines collected. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – The People’s Army June 4)
