This is the third and last portion of land to be turned over for expansion of this airport.
This event also marked the completion of the six-year, $110 million project on the environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Danang airport, jointly implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ministry of National Defense (MND).
Launched in August 2012, USAID’s project on environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Danang airport has successfully treated over 90,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and sediment through thermal desorption and safely contained an additional 50,000 cubic meters of low concentration, dioxin-contaminated material.
USAID and MND tested the treated soil and sediment to determine if the cleanup objective of 150 parts per trillion (ppt) was achieved. Phase 1 treated soil was less than 9 ppt and Phase 2 even lower (<1 ppt), exceeding all project goals.
"Our successful efforts with Vietnam's Air Defense-Air Force Command have resulted in over 30 hectares of additional land for expansion of Danang international airport, which will drive regional economic growth", said USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Michael Greene.
According to US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Bien Hoa (Dongnai province) would be the next destination as the Bien Hoa airbase area is the largest remaining hotspot of dioxin contamination in Vietnam.
On May 11, USAID signed a grant with Vietnam's Air Defense-Air Force Command for a total expected contribution of $183 million towards remediation activities in the Bien Hoa airbase area over an initial five-year period. The signing of this joint project document is the first step in this important initiative.
