Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Hung shook hands with representatives of the US Embassy in Vietnam at the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations (July 2020)
Throughout the history of resistance against foreign invaders, the Vietnamese people have always upheld the tradition of peace, humanity and love of peace. Since the Ly Dynasty fought against the invading Song army, when many enemy generals were captured, fell into a desperate situation and the Song Dynasty was forced to withdraw its troops, our ancestors "saved lives" by providing horses and boats for the defeated to return home, to maintain peace with neighboring countries.
Beyond historical boundaries, classic legends with the image of Saint Giong taking off his iron armor and flying to heaven, or King Le Loi returning the sword to the Divine Turtle in the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake, express the desire for independence, peace, and territorial integrity; that is also the eternal aspiration of the Vietnamese people.
During the Ho Chi Minh era, with the ultimate desire for independence, peace and territorial integrity, the entire nation went through a journey of steadfast struggle, always supported and continued through many generations. The Geneva Agreement (Switzerland) on the cessation of war and restoration of peace in Indochina, then the Agreement (Paris) on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam are evidence of the desire for peace of the entire Vietnamese nation.
Quang Tri, a land rich in cultural and historical traditions, has endured the pain of being divided into two parts of the country for decades, and was most severely affected by the war. Rising up and flourishing from the ashes of war, Quang Tri has made constant efforts for the process of reconciliation, healing and building trust with partners, opening up many opportunities for cooperation in many fields.
PeaceTrees Viet Nam (USA), the first foreign non-governmental organization working on mine action in Quang Tri (1995)
The beginning of the healing journey, after the end of the war, was people-to-people diplomacy activities, through international cooperation with foreign non-governmental organizations in the field of mine clearance and development assistance. Since the 1990s, as soon as Vietnam and the US normalized relations, Quang Tri province began to cooperate with the first non-governmental organization, PeaceTrees Viet Nam, followed by many international organizations from Germany, Belgium, the UK, Norway, Korea, etc.
With the support of foreign non-governmental organizations, visits and exchanges of people from other countries to Quang Tri, many of whom were veterans, have strengthened connections and mutual understanding to build bridges of friendship, solidarity and nurture sustainable, long-term cooperation for development.
Over the past 28 years, Quang Tri has mobilized more than 200 million USD in non-refundable aid from foreign non-governmental organizations, of which about 70% is for war aftermath relief activities. Along with humanitarian clearance and mobile mine clearance, international organizations have had many programs to support mine victims in terms of livelihood and integration, mine risk education for people, especially children, and development of socio-economic infrastructure in cleared areas.
Field activities of RENEW/NPA team - Norway
The results brought to the community are very practical and meaningful with more than 35,000 hectares of land heavily contaminated with mines and bombs being cleaned up, people's awareness of the risk of mines and bombs has been raised, especially when the mine risk education program has been included in the main curriculum at primary and secondary schools, mine accidents have been significantly reduced, from 70 victims per year in the period 2006 - 2010, down to 2 accidents in the period 2020 - 2024. The mine action model, coordinated by the Provincial Mine Action Center, under the chairmanship of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, is considered by international experts as a model in international cooperation on humanitarian mine action and Quang Tri is striving to become the first province in the country to be safe from mines and bombs after 2025.
Quang Tri has also contributed to the search for US soldiers missing in action (MIA) in the locality for the past 30 years, in a joint effort to heal the wounds of war, normalize and promote the relationship between Vietnam and the United States. The support, cooperation and assistance of local people, many of whom have overcome their own loss and pain, with a compassionate and tolerant heart, have actively participated in the search. The activities to overcome the consequences of war are taking place in Quang Tri, as the best way to heal the wounds on the land, on the body and in the soul.
Connecting and cooperating with localities and lands with many historical similarities such as Hiroshima in Japan or Gangwon and Changwon in Korea are the goals that Quang Tri has been and is aiming for. Having suffered the pain and loss of war, the people of Quang Tri and its sister provinces all carry within them the desire for peace. Developing from the friendship between the people, Quang Tri has signed programs and cooperation agreements with localities, and cooperated in investment in many fields, towards a brighter future, thereby spreading noble human values.
Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam visited and worked with leaders of Gangwon Special Autonomous Province/Korea (September 2023)
Closing the past and moving towards the future is not only a destination but also a journey. During that journey, Quang Tri has received the attention, support and encouragement of many partners, organizations and international friends for many years. Through visits by US Ambassadors to the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, Route 9; the activities of the Irish Embassy together with the green lighting of the historic Hien Luong Bridge on the 17th parallel; or praying with the Indian Embassy for a world, a common health... are actions, though simple, plain but practical, that Quang Tri is striving for every day, so that peace is not just an aspiration.
Peace has always been a burning desire of mankind. The world has dedicated 9 international days to celebrate peace. This year, the world celebrates the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Action Program on the Culture of Peace. From the global message of the 78th session of the United Nations to rebuild trust and promote global solidarity, with sustainable development goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all, in the context of the world with many conflicts and wars still occurring in many places, Quang Tri is the convergence place for the aspirations for peace and development.
The Peace Festival taking place in Quang Tri in 2024 is expected to meet the common interest of the international community, promoting the role of culture and cultural heritage values in promoting tolerance, promoting dialogue, linking cultural cooperation, connecting communities and society for development. Honoring the value of peace, the efforts of the international community in joining hands to build sustainable peace, promoting the spirit of sharing, mutual understanding, solidarity, connecting people and more are the goals that the Peace Festival is aiming for.
From this land, with the Festival for Peace, Quang Tri will convey a strong message about the strong vitality of the peace-loving Vietnamese people, the friendly, tolerant and humane Vietnamese people, Vietnam wishes to contribute to creating and preserving peace, joining hands with international friends to build a world of peace, solidarity and prosperity./.
Shang Dynasty
Source: https://www.quangtri.gov.vn/chi-tiet-tin/-/view-article/1/13848241113627/1719500366411
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