The June sun in the central coastal region is like a blazing furnace. In a patch of eucalyptus forest at the foot of the mountain, about 10km from the center of Bong Son ward, Platoon 1 of the 7th Engineering Brigade is deploying its mine-clearing team. The soldiers, clad in specialized protective gear and carrying metal detectors, move slowly across the ground that has been hit by bombs and bullets.
Every operation must be absolutely precise.
There is no rush whatsoever. Every step is meticulously calculated. Every signal from the detector is checked multiple times. In this work, error is not an option.
To better understand the story of the combat engineers tasked with demining, traversing "death zones," and gradually reviving the land, we spoke with Lieutenant Tran Tien Dung, Platoon Leader of the 1st Demining Platoon. He explained that the brigade currently has three platoons carrying out demining missions in the eastern Gia Lai and Quang Ngai provinces. Specifically in eastern Gia Lai, the task forces are currently operating in Bong Son ward and An Toan commune. Since August 2025, the team has been operating in Bong Son; prior to that, they participated in demining operations in An Vinh and An Toan communes.
“To be deployed in the field, each officer and soldier must undergo a very rigorous selection and training process. This job not only requires technical skills but also demands strong psychological fortitude,” Lieutenant Dung shared, adding that the team must complete specialized engineering training at military schools, receive a mine clearance certificate, and then continue training at the Vietnam National Mine Action Center. Only when they meet the requirements are they allowed to go to the field to perform their duties.
According to Lieutenant Dung, the biggest difficulty lies not in the terrain or working conditions, but in the unpredictability of unexploded ordnance. Some signals, seemingly simple, can conceal the danger of a detonation mechanism that remains highly sensitive even after decades buried deep underground. Unexploded ordnance is very difficult to predict. Even a small piece of metal could be connected to the detonation mechanism. Therefore, every operation must be absolutely precise; there is no room for intuition.
Adapt to even the most challenging conditions.
Having been dedicated to the job for over 10 years, Major Hoang Cong Ke, a professional military officer and member of the 1st Bomb and Mine Clearance Platoon, doesn't share much about the dangers, but his professional memories remain vivid in his mind.
“Once we discovered a bomb weighing about 230kg in An Tuong commune. The bomb was buried deep underground, its casing rusted, making identification almost impossible. The whole team had to work slowly, layer by layer, assessing the entire situation as we went. In this job, speed never means safety. Just one wrong step and there's no chance to correct it,” Ke recalled.
For combat engineers, there are sometimes more complex situations, such as handling phosphorus ammunition. This type of ammunition can smoke and ignite immediately upon contact with air. “In this profession, there are sayings that sound like jokes but carry special weight: ‘Stepping out of the demolition bunker means you know you’re still alive.’ Behind that saying lies a whole system of discipline, experience, and alertness, all earned through real risks,” Kế shared.
Not only do the officers and soldiers of the 7th Engineering Brigade face dangers on the battlefield, but they also have to adapt to prolonged outdoor living conditions while performing their duties. In some encampments deep in the forest, communication with family becomes difficult due to intermittent phone signals. To make a short call, many have to walk for kilometers to find a place with a signal. Not to mention, on days with heavy rain, slippery forest paths make movement extremely difficult. At night, heavy rain and strong winds blow away temporary shelters, leaving the entire team sleepless in their soaking wet uniforms.
And the dry season isn't any more pleasant. The scorching sun in the forest makes everyone's skin tanned and burned. But for the combat engineers, it has become a familiar part of their job. "Those experiences gradually become normal. Hearing the voices of my wife and children on the phone gives me more motivation to continue my mission and strive to do my job better," Major Hoang Cong Ke confided.
Reviving "dead lands"
According to the 7th Engineering Brigade, following directives from higher authorities, from 2022 to the present, the unit has simultaneously carried out bomb and mine clearance tasks in several localities in the Gia Lai East area (formerly Binh Dinh province). The unit completed Phase I from 2022-2024 and is currently implementing Phase II.
Specifically in Bong Son ward, during phase II, the engineering corps surveyed and cleared approximately 220 hectares of land. Of this, 32 hectares were identified as still contaminated with bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance; 188 hectares have been cleared. Through the process, many types of remaining explosive materials such as cluster bombs, artillery shells, mortar shells, grenades, and M79 rounds have been safely collected.
In An Toan commune, a former fierce battlefield, the demining effort is even more complex. Authorities have cleared nearly 180 hectares of land at a depth of 0.3 meters for agricultural production and collected nearly 200 explosive devices of various types. Notably, the former Gia Vuc airport area (village 1), considered a "hot spot," revealed 63 explosive devices in just over 72 hectares. Additionally, the unit carried out demining at a depth of 3 meters over an area of 9 hectares to facilitate the construction of flood-resistant houses and medical stations. To date, many projects have been completed and the land handed over safely, including 40 flood-resistant houses and 4 medical stations. Areas once considered dangerous are now gradually returning to normal life.
Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Manh Hung, Political Commissar of the 7th Engineering Brigade, stated: "Bomb and mine clearance is a particularly dangerous task but carries profound social significance. Mine clearance is not only a military duty but also a responsibility to the people. Every meter of land cleared represents a greater degree of safety, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality. For officers and soldiers participating in mine clearance, the unit always provides encouragement and timely rewards to ensure they successfully complete their nhiệm vụ," he affirmed.
From a local perspective, Mr. Dinh Van Nghin, Chairman of the People's Committee of An Toan commune, observed that the soldiers worked very seriously and systematically. More importantly, they helped the people feel secure in their production on their own land. The people greatly appreciate the efforts of the engineering soldiers who are performing their duties in this area.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/doi-song/hanh-trinh-hoi-sinh-nhung-vung-dat-chet-235577.html
