Project Statement

During the Vietnam War, extensive spraying of Agent Orange as a biological weapon left residues in the water sources and soil of southern Vietnam. These residues persist in the environment and severely affect biological reproduction, ecological balance and industrial operations. The project is located in the most contaminated border and air base areas. It aims to build a remediation corridor based on the characteristics of the pollutants, using strategies such as dilution, vegetation remediation and UV degradation. At the same time, new use plans for the rehabilitated land are planned, with the aim of restoring and redesigning the natural and living environment of the border and urban areas.

Project Narrative

Project Background:

During the Vietnam War, nearly 80 million liters of herbicides were sprayed in southern Vietnam, the main component of which was the herbicide "Agent Orange", which contains a significant amount of dioxin. The toxins in Agent Orange adhere to the surface of plants and penetrate deep into the soil. TCDD, a lethal component of Agent Orange, poses serious risks to human health and future generations. Due to the extensive spraying and its long half-life, a significant amount of TCDD accumulates in the ecosystem and is transferred to humans through the food chain.

Project Strategy:

Based on the hydrophobic and lipophilic properties of TCDD, we have designed a degradation plan targeting its degradation by taking full advantage of these properties. The project covers two aspects: concentration of contaminants and use of transfer media. Methods such as soil reclamation, construction of purification corridors, and water flushing will centralize dispersed pollutants for treatment, while natural means such as plant adsorption, microbial degradation, and UV irradiation will be used to treat TCDD. In addition, we have planned for subsequent urban transformations, including community farms and healing landscapes. We plan to build several purification corridors in the city, using green ecological treatment methods to provide a good living environment for those affected by pollution.

Strategy One: Construct a Cleanup Corridor to Collect TCDD

Excavate channels along the riverbank toward the airport and install water barriers. Perform soil remediation and large-scale water flushing. The channels will collect TCDD on the river's surface and in the shallow sediment layer, while multi-level, stepped water barriers will eventually collect the contaminants in treatment ponds.

Strategy Two: Use Natural Degradation

Plant pollution-tolerant native plants to absorb and break down pollutants, and install Fresnel lenses to increase UV absorption, which promotes water evaporation and pollutant decomposition. Low-impact engineered interventions accelerate pollutant removal, alleviating severe pollution problems in border and air base areas.

Strategy Three: Post-War Trauma Recovery

We aim to create a new environment through the redesign and reuse of land, guided by humanitarian care, agricultural restoration, and improvement of living conditions. By creating scenes such as community farmlands, healing landscapes, and educational centers, we provide a healthy living environment for local residents. This initiative meets practical housing needs, alleviates people's fears of pollution, and contributes to the recovery from physical and psychological trauma after the war.