In the classrooms of Vietnam, a new subject has been added to the curriculum: unexploded ordnance (UXO) safety. Decades after the Vietnam War, remnants of conflict still lurk beneath the soil—unexploded bombs, landmines, and rockets posing silent threats to communities across the country.
Children like Nguyen Thi Lan, a 12-year-old student from Quang Tri province, are gaining vital knowledge that could save lives. “Our teachers show us pictures of the bombs and tell us never to touch them,” Lan explains. “If we see something strange, we must tell an adult immediately.”
The importance of this education is underscored by the stories of individuals like Ho Van Lai. Lai was just a boy when he stumbled upon an old mortar shell in a field near his home. Unaware of the danger, he picked it up. The explosion that followed cost him his sight and three limbs. “If I had known about UXOs, my life would be different,” Lai reflects. “I don’t want any other child to suffer like I did.”
Organizations and the Vietnamese government are working collaboratively to integrate UXO awareness into school programs. These lessons not only inform children about the risks but also empower them to share this knowledge with their families and communities.
According to the Vietnam National Mine Action Center, an estimated 6 million hectares of land are still contaminated with UXOs. Since the end of the war, over 100,000 Vietnamese have been killed or injured due to these hidden hazards. The education initiative aims to reduce these numbers by fostering a culture of safety and awareness from a young age.
“Education is our most powerful tool against the remnants of war,” says Tran Minh Anh, a coordinator for a local NGO focused on UXO clearance. “By teaching children, we create advocates for safety who can help protect entire communities.”
The hope is that through these efforts, Vietnam’s next generation will inherit not the dangers of the past, but the prosperity of a safer future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
