Come to Vietnam to learn about peace.

Having participated in the anti-Vietnam War movement since the 1960s, Frank Howard Joyce, head of the National Council of Senior Citizens of the United States, returned to Vietnam for the fifth time, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification. For him, each return is a deeper understanding of the strength, spirit, and value of peace from the Vietnamese people.

In the 1960s, when I was in my twenties, I became involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement. We believed the war was wrong, involving inequality and unjust treatment of people. In that context, recognizing the war and joining the anti-war movement came very naturally to me. Around 1966, I refused draft. I participated in numerous protests and anti-war activities throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Mr. Frank Howard Joyce - Head of the National Council of Senior Citizens delegation, giving an interview to Time magazine. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In April 1970, I was part of a peace delegation that traveled to Hanoi and its suburbs, meeting many Vietnamese people and witnessing firsthand the impact that America and the war had had and were having. Part of the purpose of the trip was so that upon returning to the United States, we could tell the true story of what was happening in the war—something that the American media at the time did not accurately reflect.

I still remember those days in April 1975, when we poured into the streets to celebrate. We were proud of the Vietnamese people and also proud of what we had done as anti-war activists and peace advocates – a journey that most of us continue to pursue to this day.

In April 2025, I returned to Vietnam. This was my fifth visit, and each time I'm amazed by Vietnam's strong development, resilient spirit, and vibrant energy. Truly impressive!

Returning here for this important anniversary is truly meaningful to me. I get to witness the commemoration of Vietnam's reunification day, and to be back in Vietnam with colleagues and friends. More importantly, I can return to the United States to tell the story of Vietnam's miraculous resurgence and development since 1975.

From the very beginning of my career, I have always felt welcome here as an American citizen. That feeling remains unchanged today. I see more and more American tourists coming to Vietnam, and it's clear they feel that same warm welcome. Experiencing the spirit of peace in Vietnam always moves me and gives me renewed energy.

I want to emphasize that I am extremely happy and proud to be in Vietnam for the fifth time. How fortunate I am to have been able to return to this place five times in my life. Each time I return, I learn more valuable things from the Vietnamese people about peace and how to build peace.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/den-viet-nam-de-hoc-ve-hoa-binh-213095.html