Part II
THE JOURNEY OF HEALING THE AGENT ORANGE PAIN: A SYMBOL OF VIETNAM-US INTERNATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND SOLIDARITY
In the current flow of international relations, the transformation from confrontation to a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States is a rare model. However, to achieve the current political trust, the two countries have undergone a long and arduous journey to address the consequences of war. In this process, the effort to “alleviate the pain of Agent Orange”, with the joint efforts of the US government, entities, and individuals, is not only a moral responsibility but also a bridge of compassion connecting the future of the two nations.
Addressing historical “bottlenecks” through responsibility and concrete action
Addressing the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin contamination used to be one of the most sensitive and complex issues in bilateral relations between Vietnam and the United States. However, with the motto “putting the past behind, looking towards the future”, the U.S. Government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has concretized its commitments with financial resources and modern technology, demonstrating a spirit of solidarity and high responsibility.
A highlight of these activities is the Da Nang Airport Decontaminated Land Remediation Project conducted in the period between 2012 and 2018. This $110 million project not only cleaned over 30 hectares of contaminated land but also served as a crucial test of mutual trust. The handover of the clean land for the expansion of Da Nang International Airport symbolizes the rebirth of a barren land, contributing to connecting Vietnam with the world.
The following Bien Hoa Airport Decontaminated Land Remediation Project, with the world's largest amount of dioxin-contaminated soil treated, is expected to cost up to $450 million. By 2025-2026, significant advancements in the application of modern thermal technology and the handover of additional clean land areas demonstrate the United States' strong political commitment to addressing the consequences of war in Vietnam.
Solidarity and responsibility of US entities and individuals for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a federal government agency tasked with administering US civil aid to foreign countries. Within USAID's network of project-implementing organizations, entities like Able play a crucial role in concretizing support programs through technical assistance and training projects such as: “Training and enhancing the capacity of rehabilitation and detoxification specialists for Agent Orange victims”; “Providing equipment to help people access healthcare services in the community”… Through these projects, thousands of healthcare workers have received training and skill development in rehabilitation and detoxification using new, modern methods; thousands of prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, and hearing aids have been delivered directly to Agent Orange victims and people with disabilities in Vietnam, helping them integrate into the community.
Delegation of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin working with Veterans for Peace
The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) is one of the first international organizations coming to Vietnam after the war. With the spirit of “returning for peace”, VVAF has implemented projects to clear landmines and support victims of Agent Orange and people with disabilities in Vietnam. Initially, VVAF focused on helping victims directly exposed to dioxin during the war. Currently, VVAF continues to provide medical and rehabilitation support for people with disabilities, including Agent Orange victims who are the children of resistance fighters exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin. The Veterans for Peace (VFP) also regularly visits and presents gifts to Agent Orange victims at Agent Orange/dioxin social welfare centers in Vietnam. This organization also acts as a bridge, helping the voices of Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims reach the hearts of the public and political circles in the United States.
The cooperation between the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and US organizations has shifted significantly from purely humanitarian aid to supporting sustainable development through livelihood support models for AO victims, such as: cattle banks; vocational training support; stall running support; poultry farming… Through these efforts, thousands of families have received zero-fee loans to expand production and business, helping caregivers and families of the victims earn stable incomes.
American friends of AO victims in Vietnam
The solidarity with AO victims in Vietnam is further nurtured by “architects” of peace such as Senator Patrick Leahy and his assistant Tim Rieser, along with dedicated individuals like Matthew Keenan and Susan Hammond.
Matthew Keenan, a former American veteran exposed to Agent Orange, has spent his old age in Da Nang caring for Agent Orange victims at the “Da Nang municipal center for the protection of AO victims and disadvantaged children”. His hugs for Agent Orange young victims with birth defects and his selfless assistance are the most vivid proof that compassion can overcome hatred. These “bridges of life” have built trust, paving the way for upgrading bilateral relations to a new level with the spirit of “closing the past, looking towards the future”.
Mr. Matthew Keenan with children at the Da Nang Municipal Center for the Protection of Agent Orange Victims and Disadvantaged Children.
The journey to mitigate the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam clearly demonstrates the strength of international solidarity with the Vietnamese AO victims. When the devastated land turns green again and when the victims receive the necessary support to stand on their own feet, that is when history is written again with compassion, selflessness, and a sense of conscience. Every cubic meter of clean soil, each breeding cow, or every wheelchair donated is a brick building the tower of Vietnamese-American friendship. With the joint efforts of the international community, including American friends, the pain of Agent Orange is gradually eased, affirming a new era in which former enemies become strategic partners, acting together for human dignity and enduring peace for humanity.
Vava
(Continued: Part III - Solidarity from the Kingdom of Belgium: From Parliament to practical actions to “Alleviate the pain of Agent Orange” in Vietnam)
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