Legacies of War is dedicated to addressing the lasting impacts of U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam
JOIN A MOVEMENT ADDRESSING OUR SHARED HISTORY OF WAR.
Together, Lam Vong Circle members take responsibility for addressing the long-term harm of U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam through education, advocacy, and memory.
Like the graceful Lao Lamvong dance—passed down through generations and recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage—our members move together with purpose, creating rhythm and connection in the work of healing and remembrance.
As the Lam Vong Circle grows, so does our collective ability to educate schools and communities about the American Secret War in Laos and advocate for U.S. funding to safely remove unexploded bombs and support survivors and their families in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Through our Legacies Library, Advocacy Ambassador Program, and preserving memory, we turn shared history into meaningful, lasting change.
We can’t do this alone. With over 170 members across the U.S., we’re showing what peaceful collaboration can look like across borders.
A PROBLEM WE CAN FIX
"For years, she urged the United States to do more to help remove unexploded bombs here in Laos. 'There are many, many problems in this world that might not be able to be solved in a lifetime,' she's said, but this is one we can fix. So, Channapha, we thank you for working to fix this problem."
-President Barack Obama
With over 270 million cluster munitions dropped on Laos, and 30% failed to detonate, leaving millions of unexploded ordnance (UXO) across Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Today, only 10% of UXO in Laos has been cleared. In Cambodia, 15% of farmland is contaminated. In Vietnam, all provinces still face UXO danger.
From 1964-1973, the U.S. dropped over two million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000 bombing sorties—equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 9 years.
The U.S. dropped more than 13 million tons of ordnance on Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Laos remains the most bombed country per capita in history.
Laos remains the most bombed country per capita in history.
Laos remains the most bombed country per capita in history.
More than 50 years later, UXO continue to claim and injure lives today.
Legacies of War was founded in 2004, inspired by a set of powerful illustrations drawn by Lao refugees depicting bombs raining down on their villages. First used in 1971 to inform the American public and Congress of the secret U.S. bombings on Laos, these drawings were rediscovered decades later by our founder, Channapha Khamvongsa, and used to spark a national conversation about a war many Americans never knew occurred.
_edited.png)
Legacies is a proud member of these working groups
Co-Chair, War Legacies Working Group
Conventional Weapons Destruction Network
Environmental Issues and Mine Action
