Vietnam, US expand cooperation to tackle Agent Orange impacts

Led by Major General Senior Doctor Nguyen Hong Son, Vice President of VAVA and President of VAVA Ho Chi Minh City, the delegation met with US Representative Rashida Tlaib, Veterans For Peace (VFP), legal experts, and several social and youth organizations.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Duc Quan, Defense Attaché to the Vietnam Mission to the United Nations, also attended the meetings.

During the visit, the delegation detailed Vietnam's ongoing programs in healthcare, rehabilitation, vocational training, scholarships, housing support, and legal protection for victims.

Emphasizing a victim-centered approach, the delegation highlighted efforts to not only offer immediate relief but also enable victims to build independent lives and integrate into society.

The story of Pham Thi Thu Thuy, an Agent Orange victim who overcame hardship to become a special education teacher, moved many American friends.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib voiced support for policy advocacy for those affected by Agent Orange/dioxin and improved healthcare for US veterans. She noted the need to broaden support in the US Congress, strengthen ties among lawmakers, veterans, and Asian-American communities, and engage younger generations in healing the wounds of war.

The Vietnamese delegation also held discussions with representatives from organizations including Viet Left Power, the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC), VietLead, SEAFN, and Mekong.

Both sides agreed to raise public awareness, especially among American youth, about the lingering effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Earlier, speaking at the VFP National Convention, Major General Nguyen Hong Son expressed gratitude for VFP's years of support and called on partners to continue assisting healthcare, education, and livelihood programs for victims, particularly children and youth.

The visit strengthened friendship, mutual understanding, and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the US, while expanding a humanitarian network dedicated to peace and healing the wounds of war. It continues to spread a message of responsibility, compassion, and international solidarity to ease the pain of Agent Orange, ensuring no victim is left behind.

Agent Orange victims' association honoured for humanitarian work

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) was awarded the Second-Class Labour Order at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 4, in recognition of its contributions to protecting the rights and improving the lives of Agent Orange victims.

65 years since Agent Orange disaster: Vietnam steps up long-term victim support

Sixty-five years since the Agent Orange disaster began in Vietnam, policies and programmes to address its consequences are increasingly moving beyond immediate relief to provide long-term support and improve living conditions for victims and their families across generations.