Vietnam removes 227kg wartime bomb near Phong Nha Cave

PeaceTrees Vietnam, a project addressing the legacy of the American war in Vietnam through mine action, community assistance, and citizen diplomacy, confirmed the disposal on Monday.

The device was located underwater in the Son River, approximately 200 meters from the cave entrance, part of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park.

It was discovered during riverbed dredging conducted by the park management board.

After the bomb was found, the board immediately halted dredging and suspended cave tours for safety.

The Quang Tri Military Command was notified and contacted PeaceTrees Vietnam, which is headquartered in both Quang Tri and Seattle, Washington and operates with funds from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement under the U.S. State Department.

PeaceTrees Vietnam then promptly deployed its team to the scene.

Following inspection, experts identified the device as an MK 82 bomb, believed to be left over from the wartime, and determined it was safe to move.

The team then transported it to an authorized explosive storage facility, after which dredging operations and cave tours resumed.

Phong Nha Cave, measuring 7,729 meters in length with 14 grottos and an underground river of 13,969 meters, is one of the most notable tourist sites in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, designated a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 and again in 2015.