In southern Vietnam, efforts to address the residual impacts of the Vietnam War have been halted, as work to clean up dioxin-contaminated soils at a former American air base came to a sudden stop last month. This disruption is a result of significant funding cuts by the Trump administration, which affected programs supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including the clearance of unexploded ordnance and rehabilitation programs for war victims. The abrupt cessation of these initiatives poses health risks to thousands and threatens diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam, a key strategic partner in countering China’s increasing assertiveness.
Chuck Searcy, a Vietnam War veteran advocating for humanitarian causes in Vietnam, voiced concerns over the negative implications these cuts send, reflecting an unreliable image of the U.S. Though funding for the Agent Orange cleanup at Bien Hoa Air Base was resumed shortly after the suspension, the operational continuity remains uncertain, with Senator Peter Welch and other lawmakers urging the administration to restore the program’s full funding.
The U.S.-Vietnam relationship, once adversarial but now a growing partnership, is confronted with challenges as both nations were set to commemorate significant anniversaries of their war and peace relations. The U.S. had previously initiated aid programs to address war legacies, including the detrimental effects of Agent Orange, which has been linked to severe health issues including cancer and congenital disabilities. Over time, defense and security cooperation between the two countries has strengthened against the backdrop of regional tensions with China. Notable in 2023, Vietnam upgraded its ties with the U.S. to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
President Trump’s inauguration saw an executive order that froze various foreign aid funds, citing perceived inefficiencies and misaligned agendas. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, however, maintained support for collaboration on war legacy issues. Despite this, the administration directed significant reductions in USAID personnel and contracts worldwide, including Vietnam. Tim Rieser, a senior adviser associated with this cause, criticized the administration’s perspective, arguing that the cessation could reverse the progress made in bilateral relations.
A project successfully concluded in Da Nang in 2018 set precedence for the efforts underway in Bien Hoa, where contamination levels are significantly higher. Initial undertakings commenced in 2020 under a comprehensive plan backed by USAID, earmarked at $430 million. Tasks involve managing contaminated soil by relocating less hazardous material to secure sites and treating more dangerous deposits. Yet, the progress remains uncertain due to the funding interruptions.
Reactions to these developments include heightened concerns from Vietnamese ministries about the detrimental environmental and safety impacts of stopped projects. Although a U.S. federal court recently intervened, blocking further cuts to USAID, uncertainties prevail about the program’s full restoration. These disruptions risk unsettling decades of diplomacy aimed at fortifying U.S.-Vietnam ties, as highlighted by retired Senator Patrick Leahy.
The potential for eroding trust in U.S. reliability may influence Vietnam’s strategic choices, particularly concerning military collaborations and defense procurements. Analysts suggest that Vietnam’s wariness could arise from current tensions, affecting its future engagements with the U.S.
While programs like the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency remain intact due to defense-related funding, other initiatives, such as efforts to locate missing Vietnamese war victims, face funding volatility. Additionally, plans for a new U.S. exhibit at Ho Chi Minh City’s War Remnants Museum, intended to illustrate American post-war remediation efforts, remain in limbo. The intended narrative was to showcase U.S. actions to counterbalance its wartime actions, fostering a comprehensive historical perspective.
The situation remains closely monitored, with diplomatic, environmental, and health implications hanging in the balance as Vietnam and the U.S. navigate their complex, evolving relationship.
