Vietnam is still counting the massive environmental cost of the Vietnam War. Seven million tons of bombs were dropped, and the defoliant chemical Agent Orange was sprayed over 4.2 million acres. In addition to the bridges, industrial zones and irrigation works destroyed, 50% of Vietnam's forests were seriously damaged and 5% wiped out. Continuing deforestation is now the major problem. Each year, 494,000 acres are lost, with consequential soil erosion and flooding.
