(VOVworld) – The second phase of a project on dioxin-contaminated soil treatment at Da Nang International Airport kicked off on Tuesday.

The dioxin-contaminated area to be treated at Da Nang International Airport (phase 2). (Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA)

At a ceremony in Da Nang City jointly chaired by US Ambassador Ted Osius, Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vịnh said this was also the last phase of the project managed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of National Defence.

“The second phase is an important step in asserting the joint efforts of the relevant agencies in both Vietnam and the US, in speeding up the project’s implementation,” said Mr. Vinh. “This phase will promptly complete the cleanup of dioxin-contaminated soils at the airport referred to as a dioxin “hotspot” as committed by the two governments towards ensuring people’s health.”

Since 2000, Vietnam and the US have cooperated in Agent Orange/dioxin-related issues. The project to address dioxin contamination at Da Nang International Airport marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The two governments are designing a similar project for Bien Hoa in the southwestern province of Dong Nai.