Over 5,000 people participated in the walk 'For victims of Agent Orange'.

The "Walk for Victims of Agent Orange" program in 2025 is organized to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Agent Orange/dioxin disaster in Vietnam (August 10, 1961 - August 10, 2025).

Former President Nguyen Minh Triet, former Vice President Truong My Hoa, and more than 5,000 other people participated in a walk for victims of Agent Orange.

Photo: Thuan Van

Attending the "Walk for Victims of Agent Orange 2025S" program, held at 7:00 AM on August 10th at Dam Sen Cultural Park, Ho Chi Minh City, were Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet - former President of Vietnam; Ms. Truong My Hoa - former Vice President of Vietnam; Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Major General Do Hong Lam - Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; Major General, Associate Professor, Doctor, People's Physician Nguyen Hong Son - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; Major General Tran Ngoc Tho - former Chief of Staff of Military Region 7, former Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin...

The program also featured representatives from international organizations such as Mr. Karl Van den Bossche - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Vietnam; representatives from the Consulates General of Belarus, Indonesia, and the Russian Federation in Ho Chi Minh City; the American Chamber of Commerce; the Friends of Agent Orange Victims/USA organization... along with the participation of approximately 5,000 people.

Major General, Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Hong Son delivered a speech at the program.

Photo: Thuan Van

For the past 18 years, the "Walk for Victims of Agent Orange" program has been organized to support victims affected by chemical toxins in Vietnam. This annual social event is highly humane and practical, contributing to raising awareness among people nationwide about the consequences of war and serving as an effective bridge between compassionate hearts and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Ho Chi Minh City estimates there are over 30,000 victims of Agent Orange.

At the program, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hong Son - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin - stated that 64 years after the Agent Orange disaster and 50 years after the war, the terrible diseases and physical and mental pain still persist, tormenting millions of Vietnamese people across 3-4 generations, causing difficulties for each family and society.

Immediately after the country's reunification, the Vietnamese government considered this a particularly serious issue stemming from the consequences of war and implemented numerous solutions and social policies to assist victims of Agent Orange. With the Vietnamese spirit of mutual support and solidarity, many organizations and individuals have joined hands to alleviate this suffering. The lives of Agent Orange victims have improved significantly; furthermore, they have received support from international friends, both materially and spiritually.

Delegates presented wheelchairs to victims of Agent Orange.

Photo: Thuan Van

Major General Nguyen Hong Son shared: "We cannot change history, but we can change the future. Today we gather here to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Agent Orange/dioxin disaster in Vietnam. In the spirit of 'Putting aside the past - Looking towards the future,' as Vietnam integrates deeply and comprehensively into the international community, we call upon the conscience, compassion, and helping hands of our friends around the world to alleviate this suffering caused by Agent Orange."

The Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin stated that, after the merger, the number of Agent Orange victims in Ho Chi Minh City is estimated at over 30,000 people across multiple generations. This presents a significant challenge. Therefore, Major General Nguyen Hong Son suggested that it is necessary to continue strengthening widespread propaganda and education in society and among international friends about the consequences of war and Agent Orange in Vietnam, especially for young people. He urged young Vietnamese people studying and living abroad to better understand and join hands in alleviating the suffering caused by Agent Orange. Besides the support and care from the Party and the State, the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin needs to be proactive, creative, and innovative, daring to think and act, and find appropriate solutions in its operational methods.

Locals and victims of Agent Orange participated in a walking program on the morning of August 10th.

Photo: Thuan Van

"We need to quickly get the Agent Orange Village project up and running. The project must address three issues: healthcare, education and vocational training, and production organization. Agent Orange victims will have their status changed, from victims to inspirers. They will create products according to their abilities to affirm their self-worth. That is the goal to help them integrate into life. All of this requires the joint efforts of all of us," Major General Nguyen Hong Son expressed. He also said that the "Walk for Agent Orange Victims" program aims to spread the aspiration for life, the spirit of overcoming fate, and the resilience in life of Agent Orange victims.

On this occasion, the organizers and sponsors presented 40 savings accounts to 40 disadvantaged families with victims of Agent Orange (10 million VND per account). In addition, 20 gift packages (each worth 1 million VND) and 5 wheelchairs were also given to Agent Orange victims.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hon-5000-nguoi-tham-gia-di-bo-vi-nan-nhan-chat-doc-da-cam-185250810114912127.htm