Vietnam Commemorates 65 Years of Agent Orange Disaster, Signs Friendship Agreement

The Vietnam Friendship Village, a facility dedicated to supporting victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam, held a ceremony in Hanoi on August 7th to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster (August 10, 1961 - August 10, 2026). Concurrently, the village signed a friendship agreement with the Vietnam Veterans Newspaper. Lieutenant General Pham Hong Huong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association, attended and delivered a directive speech. This commemorative event served as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of support activities for individuals affected by Agent Orange (dioxin) in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government has been implementing medical, economic, and social reintegration support for Agent Orange victims for many years, striving to improve their lives and those of their families with domestic and international cooperation. The effects of Agent Orange, used by the US military during the Vietnam War, are known to cause intergenerational health problems and continue to impact people today. The government aims to strengthen the support system based on 'mutual aid' and 'empathy' for the victims. Past reports indicate that over 2.424 trillion Vietnamese Dong (approximately 130 billion Japanese Yen) have been raised through donations for the support of Agent Orange victims nationwide, fostering a societal momentum for victim assistance. The signing of the friendship agreement is expected to see the Vietnam Veterans Newspaper play a crucial role in widely disseminating information about the plight of Agent Orange victims and support initiatives, thereby promoting public understanding and cooperation. Under Vietnam's one-party system, social welfare policies are considered a key government priority. Support for victims of Agent Orange, a legacy of war, is particularly emphasized from the perspective of national unity and social stability. Despite its continued economic growth, Vietnam continues to face the significant policy challenge of addressing the legacies of past conflicts.