Published:  20:37 Tuesday - March 12, 2013

The Thua Thien – Hue provincial People’s Committee held a certificate presentation ceremony on March 11 to commemorate the designation of A So airport in A Luoi district as a National Historical Site, in accordance with Decision No 678/QĐ-BVHTTDL issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST).

A So airport

A So airport was built by the U.S military during the 1960s to consolidate its military potential and capabilities to fight against armed activities of the Vietnamese army and people.

The US launched roughly 270 missions scattering toxic chemicals across A Luoi district from August 1965 to December 1970, leaving A So airport as one of the most badly contaminated areas and the district home to more than 4,200 AgentOrange/dioxin victims. Research studies have shown that dioxin levels in the soil at the airport are 879.85 picograms per gram, thus seriously affecting the ecological environment and the health of residents.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ngo Hoa asked the district’s authorities to co-ordinate with the MoCST to promote the historical value of the site, contributing to boosting the area’s tourism and educating the younger generation about the revolutionary struggle and tradition of their predecessors.

Nhandan