Abandoned MiG-21 fighter jet relocated after over 40 years idle in southern Vietnam

On Saturday night, the provincial Military Command mobilized dozens of officers and soldiers, along with specialized cranes and transport vehicles, to move the plane from Nguyen Trai Street in An Xuyen Ward to the unit’s headquarters on 3/2 Street in Tan Thanh Ward, roughly four kilometers away.

The operation required meticulous preparation.

Workers first cleared dense vegetation surrounding the site to create a viable path.

A 20-tonne crane was used to lift the bulky aircraft over a five-meter-high gate before placing it onto a transport truck.

At around 11:00 pm, the convoy began its journey under the escort of traffic police and military control forces to ensure safety.

The route passed through Phan Ngoc Hien, Ly Thuong Kiet, and 3/2 Streets, drawing public attention.

Crowds gathered along the route, with many filming the unusual nighttime procession on their phones despite barriers set up by authorities to keep onlookers at a safe distance.

Officials explained that the overnight relocation was necessary due to the aircraft’s cumbersome size and the challenges posed by overhead power lines along the route.

Although the jet now weighs only about one metric ton after decades of deterioration, its large frame made transportation complex.

Authorities also anticipated traffic congestion caused by curious residents and opted for nighttime transport to minimize disruption and ensure public safety.

The aircraft is now stored at the military facility for preservation and maintenance, protecting it from further weather-related damage.

Origin of ‘abandoned’ MiG-21

The MiG-21, a supersonic jet designed by the former Soviet Union and introduced in 1959, was widely used by air forces around the world, including Vietnam’s.

According to a survey by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the plane’s frame remains relatively intact.

However, significant corrosion and deformation have affected parts of the wings, nose, and tail.

Its paint has largely peeled away, and several components have been damaged or lost over time on account of prolonged exposure and lack of maintenance.

Historical records indicate that the jet was one of three aircraft transported by the former Minh Hai Province, now Ca Mau, in collaboration with Military Region 9, to the province for display in 1985.

The display marked the 10th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification.

After the exhibition, two aircraft were removed, while the MiG-21 was left under local management.

However, the responsible managing authority has yet to be identified owing to missing documentation over the years.

Colonel Kieu Van Dung, former deputy chief of staff of the Air Force Division 370, said that in the 1980s, while carrying out international duties in Cambodia, the Air Defense-Air Force Service established a representative office in southern Vietnam to support operational command.

Vietnamese war hero Nguyen Van Bay, who was then deputy chief of staff of the Air Force Service, was appointed as the Air Force Commander’s representative in the region.

Following a directive, he arranged for several retired aircraft to be donated to southern provinces, including Minh Hai, where they could be put on display.

Local authorities later took over their management, showcasing the aircraft for public exhibition.

However, the Air Force’s representative office was later dissolved, while Minh Hai Province underwent several administrative divisions.

As a result, the MiG-21 in Ca Mau is not under the management of Military Region 9 but falls under local jurisdiction.