Visiting the Friendship Village to express gratitude.

The Vietnam Friendship Village, under the auspices of the Vietnam Veterans Association, was established in 1998 at the initiative of George Mizo, a former American soldier who fought in the Vietnam War. To date, after 19 years of operation, the Friendship Village has cared for over 7,000 veterans and beneficiaries of government policies, as well as 600 children affected by Agent Orange/dioxin. The village operates in 34 provinces and cities in Northern and Central Vietnam. This is also the first project in the model of Veterans Association activities worldwide.

Colonel Dinh Van Tuyen, Director of the Vietnam Friendship Village

On behalf of the staff and teachers at the Vietnam Friendship Village, Colonel Dinh Van Tuyen – Director (formerly an officer of the General Political Department) extended greetings to the delegation from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and introduced the Village's activities. Besides its function of caring for and rehabilitating wounded soldiers, war invalids, and volunteer youth, the Village also effectively carries out activities in caring for, rehabilitating, providing supplementary education, and vocational training for children suffering from the effects of dioxin. Furthermore, the Village participates in foreign affairs, seeking support from international friends to promote the image of Vietnam and its people rising from the pain and losses of war, showcasing the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," the spirit of mutual assistance, and the spirit of solidarity and friendship throughout the international community. The images and meaningful activities of the Vietnam Friendship Village also contribute to reconciliation, overcoming the consequences of war between nations, and especially remind future generations of the importance of a future of peaceful development, cooperation, free from gunfire, war, and suffering worldwide. Colonel Dinh Van Tuyen, Director, acknowledged and highly appreciated the activities of gratitude and the profound social responsibility demonstrated by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. This is both a material and spiritual encouragement for the wounded soldiers and children receiving treatment and studying at the Village, contributing to the collective efforts of the staff, teachers, and employees of the Vietnam Friendship Village to better fulfill their mission.

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University

Professor Pham Quang Minh, on behalf of the University, expressed his emotion upon visiting the Friendship Village and shared the difficulties and efforts in caring for wounded soldiers and children affected by dioxin poisoning there. As a leading university in the country, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities not only has a tradition and academic prestige, but its tradition of patriotism and revolutionary struggle has also become a source of pride and a highlight on the University's more than 70-year development journey. Generations of staff, lecturers, and students of the University put aside their studies to answer the call of independence, freedom, and peace, bravely fighting on the front lines. Many have made heroic sacrifices, many have returned to the University to continue the cause of educating people... and this university has also welcomed many veterans from various battlefields to work here. Currently, the University's Veterans Association has 38 members, operating very actively and having a profound influence on the overall activities of the University. It is precisely because of these foundations that meaningful acts of gratitude are always highly valued by the University. Professor Pham Quang Minh emphasized: “The mission of a university is to provide excellent education, conduct excellent research, and have profound social responsibility. Although the university has achieved many accomplishments, and although the country has undergone many changes, all of this is still not enough, not worthy of the great sacrifices of previous generations. The university and the entire society need to strive even harder for a peaceful, progressive, and developed Vietnam.”

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Mr. Nguyen Duy Luong, representing the veterans of Thai Binh province currently receiving treatment at the village (who fought in the Southeast region), emotionally shared his memories of poems he had read by the poet and martyr Le Anh Xuan while he was still fighting; on behalf of the delegation, he expressed his gratitude to the Friendship Village and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for this visit.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities presented gifts to the Vietnam Friendship Village, expressing gratitude to the veterans and visiting the children receiving treatment and studying there.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities presents gifts to the Vietnam Friendship Village.

Representatives from the School's Board of Directors, Trade Union, and Veterans Association, along with the Board of Directors and Trade Union of the Friendship Village.

The delegation from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the leaders of the Friendship Village, and the group of veterans from Thai Binh province took a commemorative photo.

The delegation visited and presented gifts to the classrooms. The children of different ages, both boys and girls, were very diligent and skillful, creating beautiful works of art.

The children receiving treatment and care here are those with the potential to recover and reintegrate into the community. They are taken in for care and education for 3-5 years. The treatment period for war invalids here is one month. There are usually 60 veterans and 120 children here.