An over view of Vietnam asociation for victims of agent orange/dioxin-VAVA

During the Vietnam War, the US military sprayed nearly 80 million liters of toxic chemicals, containing 366 kg of dioxin in area up to ¼ of the territory of South Vietnam, causing most ecosystems destroyed, many species of animals and plants disappeared. 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the toxins, and more than 3 million of them were victims, many of them are dead and others are struggling with serious diseases, many women cannot enjoy the happiness of being a wife, mother, many children were born with deformities... The War past far away, but Vietnamese people are still facing the Agent Orange disaster, resolving many polluted environmental issues and people's health problems caused by toxic chemicals/dioxin.

Agent Orange victims in Vietnam need to be protected by justice, need the support and sharing of social communities at home and abroad. To representing Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange in relationships with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals in fighting for justice, and in asking the US Government to take responsibility in the remediation of consequences of Agent Orange and in calling assistance to Agent Orange victims, the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) was established under the Decision No. 84/2003/QD-BNV of Ministry of Home Affairs on December 17th 2003 and started its activities on 10th January 2004. After more than 15 years of activities and growth, VAVA has grown and meet all missions’ requirements. By August 2019, VAVA is covering a network of 4 chapter level from the national to local with 63/63 provincial, 615/713 districts; 6,551/11,161 communal with nearly 400,000 members in all over the country.

VAVA has the role of protection of legitimate rights and interests for Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

VAVA has 2 main tasks: To mobilize all resources to take care and support victims of Agent Orange and to struggle for justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange;

VAVA has passed 04 National Congress:

1. January 10, 2004 in Hanoi.

- Launching ceremony of the Central Executive Committee of the First National Congress of VAVA.

Honorary President: Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), former Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

President: Senior Lieutenant General Dang Vu Hiep, former member of the Central Committee of CPV, former Deputy Minister of Defense and former Deputy Chairman of the Political General Department of the Vietnam People's Army;

2. The 2nd National Congress (Term 2008-2013.)

Madame Nguyen Thi Binh continued to be honored as Honorary President.

Senior Lieutenant-General Nguyen Van Rinh, former member of the Central Committee of CPV, former Deputy Minister of National Defense was elected President.

3. The 3rd National Congress (Term 2013-2018.)

Madame Nguyen Thi Binh continued to be honored as Honorary President.

Senior Lieutenant-General Nguyen Van Rinh, former member of the Central Committee of CPV, former Deputy Minister of National Defense was again elected President.

4. The 4th National Congress (Term 2018-2023) took place on December 4, 2018 in Hanoi, elected the Central Executive Board of 96 members, the Standing Board of 17 members.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh continued to be elected as President;

Madame Nguyen Thi Binh continued to be honored as a honorary President.

Over 15 years of operation and growth, VAVA has successfully completed assigned tasks, and is worthy to be a representative protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.

- On June 25, 2004, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and its 32/32 member organizations agreed to take Annual August 10 as “the Day for Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange / Dioxin”.

- On August 6, 2004, the Central Committee of CPV’s Office issued Official Letter No. 5770-CP / VPTW announcing the Secretariat of CPV’s agreement to take the August 10 every year as "the Day for Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange."

- On October 24, 2009, the World Peace Council declared the 10 August as International Day for Solidarity with the Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange.

Therefore, August 10 becomes an Annual Anniversary of the Agent Orange Disaster in Vietnam; The Day for Vietnamese Agent Orange Victims and the International Day for solidarity with the Vietnamese Agent Orange Victims.

* Recognizing the achievements of VAVA:

- On July 8, 2011, the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party presented VAVA a banner with these words: "Solidarity - Compassion - Responsibility - For Agent Orange victims."

- In 2011, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam presented VAVA Second-Class Labor Medal.

- In 2016, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam presented VAVA the First-Class Labor Medal.

VAVA has also honour to receive many other Noble Awards by the Party, State, and international friends.VIETNAM ASSOCIATION FOR VICTIMS OF AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN LEADER’S BOARD

Current and Former Presidents of VAVA:

Honorary President: Madame Nguyen Thi Binh (2004 to present)

President: Dang Vu Hiep (2004 - 2008)

President: Nguyen Van Rinh (2008 to present)

Current and Former Vice-presidents of VAVA:

Mr. Do Xuan Dien (2004-2007)

Mr. Tran Xuan Thu (2004-2011)

Mr. Nguyen Trong Nhan (2004-2011)

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong (2004 to present)

Mr. Hoang Chau Son (2014-2017)

Mr. Tran Ngoc Tho (2010 to present)

Mr. Nguyen The Luc (2011 to present)

Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh (2018 to present)

Mr. Dang Nam Dien (2018 to present)

Former Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Binh, Honorary President

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh President

Lieutenant General Nguyen The Luc Vice President – Secretary General

Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh Vice President – Director of VAVAF

Lieutenant General, Associate Prof. Dr. Dang Nam Dien Vice President

Professor, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong Vice President

Major General Tran Ngoc Tho Vice President