At the reception, Mr Hong briefed the delegation on Vietnam’s current socio-economic situation, its external policies, Vietnam-US relations and VUFO and Vietnam-US Association operations that have contributed to strengthening the relationship between the people of Vietnam and the US.

He praised the great efforts of US war veterans to promote normalizing Vietnam-US relations and accelerate humanitarian projects in Vietnam, including those dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin.

Mr Hong said Vietnam hopes it will continue receiving support from the SHI so that US war veterans will learn more about Vietnam and contribute more to developing a mutually beneficial Vietnam-US relationship.

Bryan Tick said that, for their visit to Vietnam from January 15-February 1, his delegation brought medical equipment, school materials, toys and clothes as gifts for orphans, handicapped and AO/Dioxin children in HCM City, Quang Nam, Hung Yen and Hanoi.

The delegation also held cultural exchanges and met with Vietnamese poets to share poems about their humanitarian feelings, love of peace and condemnation of war.