Visit Van Canh Friendship Village

Within the framework of the International Conference “Psychological consequences of victims of chemical poisoning during the Vietnam War” organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, on the morning of March 20, 2010, experts and delegates of the Conference visited and discussed at Van Canh Friendship Village (Xuan Phuong, Tu Liem, Hanoi).

During the visit, Mr. Dang Vu Dung, Director of Friendship Village, introduced the history as well as the scale and activities of Van Canh Friendship Village.

Van Canh Friendship Village was established in 1991 and started operating in 1998 by the proposal and initial funding of Mr. George Mizo - an American veteran who fought in Vietnam. The village is a unit under the Central Vietnam Veterans Association, currently providing regular care for more than 100 children affected by Agent Orange and many wounded, sick soldiers, and youth volunteers who come to recuperate and have regular health check-ups.

Speaking before the tour, Professor Mike Gorkin, a guest of the Conference, shared his feelings when visiting the Village, where one can witness most clearly the consequences of the Vietnam War carried out by the US.

As a former Vietnam War protester, Professor Mike Gorkin also expressed hope that the US government would have more appropriate policies to ease the pain caused by this war.

On the morning of March 20, the delegation visited more than 100 victims affected by Agent Orange who are living, studying and working in the Village.