In southern Vietnam, efforts to decontaminate soil tainted with dioxin from Agent Orange at a former American air base halted suddenly. Cuts in funding from the Trump administration to USAID also interrupted projects addressing unexploded ordnance, landmine clearance, and initiatives aiding war victims. These cutbacks have not only exposed many to potential health risks but could also undermine diplomatic relations with Vietnam, particularly as the U.S. seeks support against China’s growing influence. One American Vietnam War veteran, Chuck Searcy, emphasized the negative impact of the cuts on America’s reliability.
Though funding for the dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa Air Base resumed shortly after the halt, the administration of the project remains uncertain due to the absence of USAID employees. A group of senators has petitioned for the continuation of these crucial programs. However, many initiatives still face uncertainty, despite some reversals of the cuts, according to Tim Rieser, an advisor involved in these negotiations.
As the U.S. and Vietnam commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end and the normalization of their relations, the aid interruptions pose significant setbacks. In the 1990s, the United States began assisting Vietnam with war legacies like Agent Orange, a defoliant that has caused numerous health problems. The two nations’ defense relations have strengthened over the years due to shared concerns about China.
In an executive order at the beginning of his term, President Trump froze foreign assistance funds, questioning their efficacy. Nonetheless, the Defense Department has reiterated its commitment to resolving war-related issues. The abrupt reduction in USAID’s presence, however, has halted many programs worldwide, including those in Vietnam. Rieser disputes claims of wastefulness, pointing to the strategic importance of these efforts.
Despite successfully completing a similar project at Da Nang Air Base in 2018, the cleanup needed at Bien Hoa Air Base is more substantial. The province, home to thousands suffering from Agent Orange-related health issues, began a decade-long project funded by USAID and the Defense Department in 2020. However, recent funding cuts disrupted progress before the most contaminated soil treatment could begin.
Both the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and USAID directed inquiries about these projects to the State Department, which confirmed active dioxin remediation contracts in Bien Hoa but offered no further details. Vietnamese officials have expressed concerns about impacts on human safety and the environment should crucial funding end.
A federal judge recently ruled that the reduction of USAID staff likely contravened the U.S. Constitution. Still, full operational capacity has not been restored. Former Senator Patrick Leahy, influential in Vietnam-U.S. relations over decades, warns of the potential diplomatic fallout should ongoing efforts cease abruptly. Strategically, this situation may prompt Vietnam to reassess collaborations on military and procurement fronts.
While efforts to recover missing American troops continue unaffected as they are funded through military budgets, similar projects for missing Vietnamese war victims faced cuts before being reinstated. The launch of a new exhibit in Ho Chi Minh City’s War Remnants Museum, emphasizing U.S. contributions, also faces uncertainty. These initiatives aim to demonstrate American commitment to addressing historical wartime consequences, said Rieser, underlining the importance of not neglecting these efforts.