Speaking at the congress, Vice President and General Secretary of VAVA, Tran Xuan Thu, emphasized that since its establishment, the association focused on calling for support from both local and international organizations for AO victims and lodged a lawsuit against American chemical companies which produced the toxic chemicals during the war in Vietnam.

In response to the call from the Party, the State, the President of VAVA and fatherland fronts at all levels, many organizations, agencies and individuals inside and outside the country extended their deep sympathy to AO victims and presented gifts worth more than VND86 billion.

In the lawsuit against American chemical companies, VAVA has also gained ground that is of political and human significance, countering erroneous allegations by the US. Mr Thu emphasized that this is a complicated civil lawsuit which concerns millions of AO victims and is without precedent in the US judiciary sector. Therefore, the struggle for justice for AO victims has encountered a lot of difficulties and VAVA will pursue the struggle until the end. Currently, the lawsuit has been submitted to the US Supreme Court.

Addressing the congress, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan extended deep condolences to the more than 3 million of AO/dioxin victims and highlighted VAVA’s activities which have helped ease the suffering of AO victims over the past five years.

The Deputy PM also asked VAVA to make its activities become an effective link between AO victims and the community. In addition, the association should spread information about the harmful effects of Agent Orange to call for both local and international assistance to AO victims.

Mr Nhan also emphasized that the Party, the State and relevant agencies will do their best to improve the living conditions of AO victims so that they can study, work and receive good treatment and accommodation.

The congress elected an executive committee of 87 members. Nguyen Van Rinh, former deputy minister of defense was elected as the new president of VAVA while Tran Xuan Thu was re-elected as vice president and general secretary of VAVA.