From August 12 to 14, as part of its working visit to the United States, a delegation from the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), led by Major General, Associate Professor, PhD and People’s Physician Nguyen Hong Son, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and President of the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, held meetings with Representative Rashida Tlaib, Veterans for Peace (VFP), legal professionals, and various US social organizations.

Also attending the meetings was Colonel Nguyen Duc Quan, Vietnamese Military Attaché to the United Nations.

The delegation meets with progressive friends in the United States. (Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA)

The working visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to directly inform friends in the United States about the long-term consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam and to seek the continued support of progressive forces, veterans, legal professionals, and youth organizations in efforts to care for victims.

The delegation exchanged views with representatives of Viet Left Power, the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC), VietLead, SEAFN, Mekong, and several other social and youth organizations in the United States.

Major General Nguyen Hong Son shared the efforts of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in providing healthcare, rehabilitation, livelihood support, vocational training, scholarships, housing improvements, and protection of the lawful rights and interests of victims.

The delegation also shared a victim-centered approach that not only helps address immediate difficulties but also creates conditions for victims to develop their abilities, gain confidence, integrate into the community, and make meaningful contributions to society.

The story of Pham Thi Thu Thuy, an Agent Orange/dioxin victim who overcame adversity to become a teacher specializing in special education and supporting children with disabilities and children with special educational needs, left a deep and moving impression on US friends.

At the meeting, Representative Rashida Tlaib said she would continue to pay attention to and support policy advocacy efforts concerning people affected by Agent Orange/dioxin, as well as efforts to strengthen healthcare for US veterans.

Representative Rashida emphasized the need to expand the network of support in the US Congress and strengthen coordination among lawmakers, VFP, social organizations, and Asian American communities.

The Democratic congresswoman also said that promoting youth engagement was important in raising awareness of the consequences of war, the impact of toxic chemicals on people and the environment, and the shared responsibility to heal the wounds of war.

Representatives of US organizations introduced the history, objectives, and action programs of their organizations, which focus on social justice, peace, immigrant rights, and support for communities affected by war.

The participants agreed on the need to further raise public awareness, particularly among young people in the United States, of the serious legacies of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The discussions demonstrated a shared understanding and sense of responsibility among Vietnamese victims, US veterans, legal professionals, social organizations, and young people in the Vietnamese community in the United States. This provides an important foundation for expanding humanitarian advocacy efforts, promoting legislative initiatives, connecting resources, and developing practical support programs for victims.

People-to-People Diplomacy Contributes to Deepening Vietnam-US Relations The celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States' Independence Day in Ho Chi Minh City reaffirmed the role of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening mutual understanding, trust, and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and the US.

Top Legislator Asks New US Ambassador To Forward Parliamentary Ties Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man hosted a reception for US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks, who came to pay a courtesy call at the start of her tenure in Viet Nam, on August 6.