Environmental Protection and Demining in Vietnam
For centuries, the resilient Cỏ Bàng grass has swayed in the wind over Vietnam’s wetlands, forming the foundation for weaving hats, mats, and bags. Today, it is also used in the destruction of explosives, becoming one of Norwegian People's Aid Vietnam’s newest eco-friendly initiatives.
Vietnam is home to more than just endless beaches, rivers, and tropical rainforests. The country also contains vast amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind from the Vietnam War—a threat that has endangered local communities for over 50 years.
Important to Protect the Environment
Since starting operations in Vietnam in 2008, Norwegian People's Aid has focused primarily on demining and the destruction of old explosives. In recent years, however, Norwegian People's Aid Vietnam has also become a driving force in making these operations environmentally sustainable.
Several innovative projects have been launched to reduce pollution.
"As a humanitarian organization, we cannot focus solely on saving lives. We must also work to protect the environment and help people adapt to climate change," says Bui Doan Bach (29), Environmental Protection Coordinator for Norwegian People's Aid Vietnam.
Bach, who studied environmental technology in Toronto, is deeply passionate about nature and the challenges Vietnam faces. Since 2020, he has worked for NPA Vietnam, integrating environmental and climate initiatives into demining operations.
One of the most pressing issues he has tackled is the widespread use of sandbags.
Explosions and Plastic Sandbags
Explosives are destroyed using TNT, which creates a significant explosion. To contain the blast and minimize damage, sandbags are used. Up until 2023, these sandbags were made of plastic.
Plastic sandbags would often be torn into thousands of pieces and scattered over a large area, making cleanup time-consuming and difficult. Ensuring that all plastic fragments were removed was nearly impossible.
"One of our main goals has been to eliminate plastic sandbags," says Bach. Today, the sandbags are woven from Cỏ Bàng grass, which grows naturally throughout Vietnam.
This simple yet brilliant solution is completely sustainable. It eliminates environmental pollution while also providing a stable source of income for local communities.
"We are working with a village that has used Cỏ Bàng grass to craft bags, mats, and other items for centuries. Together, we came up with the idea of producing sandbags from Cỏ Bàng," Bach explains.
An Environmental Challenge Solved
Cỏ Bàng grass is environmentally friendly from start to finish. Even if remnants of the grass bags remain after an explosion, they pose no harm. Additionally, the bags are handcrafted—from harvesting to weaving—avoiding emissions from machine production.
Cỏ Bàng is also an ecologically beneficial plant, as it absorbs and binds carbon dioxide while protecting wetlands and marshlands where it grows. It helps maintain water quality and prevents erosion by stabilizing the soil. This is especially crucial in flood-prone regions, which are widespread in Vietnam.
By using Cỏ Bàng grass for sandbag production, one environmental challenge has been solved.
More Exciting Projects Ahead
However, much work remains. Unexploded ordnance that has yet to be found poses not only a detonation risk but also an environmental hazard. As these explosives degrade over time, they release heavy metals and explosive residues into the soil and water. This contamination affects farmland, threatens drinking water supplies, and can cause health issues for both humans and animals.
To address these challenges, Norwegian People's Aid Vietnam has launched several additional initiatives.
On the first Friday of every month, Norwegian People's Aid Vietnam organizes a "Green Day". On this day, all employees participate in various environmental activities, such as trash clean-ups, visits to national parks, or guided tours of conservation projects—all aimed at increasing awareness of environmental and climate issues.
"The goal of Green Day is to dedicate time for all employees to actively learn about environmental issues on a local level. This increases awareness of climate change and how we can help support local communities," Bach explains.
Mapping Environmental Issues
Another project currently in the testing phase is Norwegian People's Aid Vietnam’s new approach to non-technical surveys. Named Total Mine Action Survey (TMAS), this initiative aims to collect data to better understand operational areas, identify regions with environmental problems, and find ways to provide additional support to affected communities.
"The information gives us an overview of different environmental challenges. This allows us to carry out our work in the most environmentally friendly way possible," Bach says.
The data is reported to local authorities but will also help communities manage environmental challenges and strengthen their resilience to climate change.