Soldier Upholds Humanity at the Vietnam Friendship Village

	Young American political leaders visit Vietnam Friendship Village
	Vietnam Friendship Village – symbol of solidarity

His life was tied to a military career. Long participated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, then did international duty in Cambodia. He witnessed devastated villages, comrades falling in their twenties. "A soldier's heart beats not only for the Fatherland, but also for brotherhood, for the survival of a neighboring nation," he said. Returning, he continued to fight on the northern border front, in battles in Vi Xuyen (Ha Giang), Binh Do 400 and Cao Loc (Lang Son).

Nguyen Thang Long (R), Director of the Vietnam Friendship Village, during the flood in August 2025. (Photo: Vietnam Friendship Village)

After the war, Nguyen Thang Long continued his military service, eventually holding the position of Deputy Chief of the General Staff Office at the Ministry of National Defense. Upon retiring in January 2016, he assumed the role of Director of the Vietnam Friendship Village, a center dedicated to caring for veterans and former youth volunteers affected by Agent Orange/dioxin, while also nurturing and educating children living with its long-term effects.

Founded in 1998, the Vietnam Friendship Village was born from the vision of American veteran George Mizo, who, haunted by the war, dreamed of reconciliation. After his passing, his wife, Rosemarie Hohn Mizo, quietly carried forward his legacy, offering heartfelt support and resources to the Village. Operated under the Vietnam Veterans Association, the Village has welcomed tens of thousands of veterans and youth volunteers from Thua Thien Hue to the northern provinces, and has provided care and education to thousands of children affected by Agent Orange. Within its walls, veterans and children, though unrelated by blood, form deep familial bonds, united by shared memories and a spirit of healing.

According to Long, caring for any child is challenging, but supporting children with Agent Orange-related conditions requires even greater patience and dedication. Together with the staff and teachers, he has worked tirelessly to develop tailored approaches, from basic literacy and vocational training to life skills development. Today, the Village operates four special education classes, two practical skills classes, and five vocational training programs.

Since 2020, it has expanded its curriculum to include more physical and experiential learning, embracing the philosophy of “learning through play, and playing to learn.” Children who show strong potential are integrated into mainstream schools or vocational institutions, and some even become teaching assistants in vocational classes run by the International Committee of the Vietnam Friendship Village.

Nguyen Duc Tho, a child from Bac Giang born with congenital heart disease, is one of many who have found care and hope at the Village. He shared, “In 2019, I had to undergo heart surgery at Hospital 103. Long came to my bedside to visit me and brought gifts. I’m very grateful to him.”

In 2020, Daniel J. Kritenbrink (second from right), then US Ambassador to Vietnam, visited the Vietnam Friendship Village. (Photo: Vietnam Friendship Village)

The Friendship Village serves as a bridge for people-to-people diplomacy. Since its establishment, the Village has welcomed about 21,000 international visitors from more than 40 countries, including many American veterans. In early 2020, during a visit to the Village, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, then the US Ambassador to Vietnam, cut the ribbon to hand over dental equipment to the medical center.

According to Long, while visiting vocational training classes for disabled children, the US Ambassador was surprised by the handicrafts made by the children. He was interested in the colorful brocade scarves and decided to buy one for his daughter. "Although we wanted to give him the scarf as a souvenir, the Ambassador insisted to pay," said he.

He further noted that the Vietnam Friendship Village maintains regular relations with foreign diplomatic representatives in Vietnam. Whether welcoming delegations, tourists, volunteers, or students, the Village consistently offers open, sincere, and thoughtful hospitality. The Village prepares content and assigns experienced and capable officials to introduce, gain international support for the Village and propagate the foreign policy of the Party and State, actively contributing to the Party's people-to-people foreign affairs.

On April 3, 2023, marking its 25th anniversary, the Vietnam Friendship Village was honored with the Second Class Labor Medal, recognizing its enduring contributions to the care and rehabilitation of Agent Orange victims. Yet for Nguyen Thang Long, what binds him to the Village after a decade of service is not accolades, but the trust in the eyes of his comrades and the affectionate voices of children who call him “grandpa Long.”

“Every time I welcome international guests, especially American veterans,” he shared, “I feel the war has faded into the past. What remains is humanity. The Friendship Village is a bridge that connects hearts once divided.”

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