Visiting Van Canh Friendship Village

As part of the international conference "Psychological Consequences in Victims of Chemical Warfare in 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 exchanged ideas at Van Canh Friendship Village (Xuan Phuong, Tu Liem, Hanoi).

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

The Van Canh Friendship Village was established in 1991 and began operations in 1998, thanks to the proposal and initial funding of George Mizo, a former American soldier who fought in Vietnam. The village is a unit directly under the Central Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association and currently provides regular care for over 100 children affected by the effects of Agent Orange, as well as many wounded and sick soldiers and volunteer youth who come for rehabilitation and regular health check-ups.

Speaking before the tour, Professor Mike Gorkin, a guest speaker at the conference, shared his feelings about visiting the Village, a place where one can witness firsthand the consequences of the Vietnam War waged by the United States.

Having been an opponent of the Vietnam War, Professor Mike Gorkin also expressed hope that the US government would adopt more appropriate policies to alleviate the pain caused by this war.

On the morning of March 20th, the delegation visited over 100 victims affected by Agent Orange who are living, studying, and working at the Village.