Young Vietnamese expats in France work to support AO/dioxin victims
The Vietnamese Embassy in France on September 19 held a meeting with young Vietnamese expatriates who contributed to the success of a recent programme calling for support to victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in the homeland.
The meeting between the Vietnamese Embassy in France and young Vietnamese expatriates on September 19 (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Franceon September 19 held a meeting with young Vietnamese expatriates whocontributed to the success of a recent programme calling for support to victimsof Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in the homeland.
The online programme, held by the Collectif Vietam-Dioxine –an organisation that works for the sake of AO/dioxin victims in Vietnam, lastedfor 36 hours, from 2pm of August 9 to 3am of August 11 (Vietnam time). It featuredtalks, discussions, documentary screening and interviews, focusing on AO/dioxinconsequences and calling for support from people worldwide to the struggle forjustice for the Vietnamese victims.
Nearly 50 volunteers, mostly young Vietnamese expatriates inFrance, spent nearly two months preparing for the programme, which attractedhundreds of thousands of views and interactions on social networks.
Organisers also received 7,300 signatures advocating the lawsuit filed by Tran To Nga,a Vietnamese living in France, against the US chemical companies thatprovided chemical toxics for the US army during the war, leading to a healthdisaster for her and her compatriots in Vietnam.
Besides, 5,400 EUR (nearly 6,400 USD) was raised for thefund for AO/dioxin victims in Vietnam during that programme.
At the meeting with young Vietnamese expatriates, VietnameseAmbassador to France Nguyen Thiep said their organisation of the programmereflected their patriotism and wish to share the pain and loss suffered bynearly 5 million AO/dioxin victims in the homeland.
He stressed the Vietnamese Government has been makingutmost efforts to address war consequences, including those related toAO/dioxin, noting that more than 3 million ha of forest land had been destroyedby the toxic and it has impacted not only the nature but also health of manygenerations of Vietnamese people.
To protect people’s health, Vietnam has completely bannedthe use of chemical products derived from dioxin or glyphosate since 2019. It hasalso boosted coordination with the US to clean up AO/dioxin-contaminated areaslike Bien Hoa and Da Nang airports, he added.
Thiep said the Vietnamese Embassy in France has consistently beenassisting the fierce legal fight for justice for AO/dioxin victims, including Nga – the last direct victim to launch a lawsuit to seek justice forherself and other victims.
At the 19th trial on Nga’s lawsuit in late June,the judge decided to open a hearing at the crown court of Evry on October 12, accordingto the ambassador./.
Over 1,000 victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in the southern province of Dong Nai received free health checks and consultations from July 1 to 2, at a total cost of over 1 billion VND (43,458 USD).
Merle Ratner, Coordinator of the US-based Vietnam Agent Orange (AO) Relief and Responsibility Campaign, highlighted certain achievements in the fight for the sake of Vietnamese AO victims during an interview with the Vietnam News Agency.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is home to nearly 11,100 Agent Orange/dioxin victims, most of who live in poverty, according to the provincial association of AO/dioxin victims.
An online photo display and a conference took place on August 9, focusing on the Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin disaster in Vietnam and efforts to ease its consequences.
A friendly golf tournament entitled “Vietnam Ambassador’s Cup 2020” was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and Luxembourg, the Delegation of Vietnam to the EU, and One to One Consult SA NV in Belgium on September 14.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
The meeting between the Vietnamese Embassy in France and young Vietnamese expatriates on September 19 (Photo: VNA) 
