Art exchange "Following the dawn", supporting victims of Agent Orange

Delegates attending the program. Photo: Minh Thu

This is a meaningful activity to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam (August 10, 1961 - August 10, 2025), Day for Agent Orange Victims (August 10), organized by the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in coordination with the Office of the Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee for Overcoming the Consequences of Post-War Bombs, Mines and Toxic Chemicals in Vietnam (Office 701), and the Military Radio and Television Center.

The program was attended by comrades: Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Tran Thanh Lam, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, etc.

Comrade Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front presented a flower basket to the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin. Photo: Minh Thu

Speaking at the program, Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, affirmed: Where there is light, there is life and growth. The program “Following the Dawn” is organized to widely disseminate and raise awareness of the social community about the severe and persistent consequences of toxic chemicals during the war in Vietnam.

At the same time, the program also affirms the deep concern of the Party, the State, and the entire political system; reflects the valuable companionship and support of the people, organizations, individuals, and philanthropists at home and abroad who have accompanied, shared, and contributed to overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals, caring for, and helping victims of Agent Orange. That concern and support is the source of light - the "light" of humanity, of affection and responsibility that contributes to easing the pain of Agent Orange, lighting up hope, and opening a journey of revival for those who are unfortunate.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, speaks. Photo: Mai Hoa

According to Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, currently, there are still millions of Agent Orange victims in the country, of which only more than 626,000 people are entitled to the regime of “resistance fighters and children infected with toxic chemicals”. Many families have 3 to 4 victims, they are living in illness and poverty, many families are exhausted.

In the journey to ease the pain of Agent Orange, the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at all levels regularly receives deep attention from the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front , Party committees and local authorities. In 2024 and the first 6 months of 2025, the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin nationwide mobilized and received support and assistance from many domestic and international organizations, businesses and philanthropists, with a total value converted into money of 773 billion 167 million VND.

Awarding honorary badges to groups and individuals who have made many contributions in supporting victims of Agent Orange. Photo: Minh Thu

Notable are units and enterprises of the Ministry of National Defense, the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, the Belgian House of Representatives and many organizations in the Kingdom of Belgium through the Aquitara Foundation, Ms. Masaco (Japanese), Director of the "Seeds of Hope" Fund, Ao Vua Joint Stock Company, and many other groups and individuals. The donations have been used to support livelihoods, build new and repair houses, rehabilitate, give gifts during holidays and Tet... That shows the deep concern and sharing of the community, contributing to helping Agent Orange victims gradually rise up and stabilize their lives.

The art exchange program “Following the Dawn” took place with many special art performances by famous artists, such as Den Vau, Bao Tram Idol, Mai Chi…, musician Ta Duy Tuan was the music director, interspersed with reports and exchanges with characters who are victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam, aiming to widely propagate and raise awareness of the social community about the serious consequences of toxic chemicals during the war in Vietnam.

At the same time, affirming the attention and efforts of the Party, State, political system and organizations at all levels, along with the support and assistance of the social community, compatriots at home and abroad, and international friends in overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals, caring for, helping and fighting for justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

A special performance in the program. Photo: Minh Thu

With the theme of “Livelihood-Integration”, the Program aims to promote and disseminate effective livelihood support models, helping victims and their families overcome difficulties and integrate into the community. This is also an opportunity to commend and express gratitude to domestic and foreign organizations and individuals who have accompanied and joined hands to ease the pain of Agent Orange; encourage the victims, with a strong desire to live, with the support of the community, not to surrender to fate, inspiring the spirit of striving to overcome difficulties and rise up.

On this occasion, the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin calls on individuals and groups to continue to strongly respond to the Movement "Action for Victims of Agent Orange" launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Individuals and groups can join hands to support and help victims of Agent Orange by using payment applications, scanning QR codes, or transferring funds directly to account number 1961 of the Vietnam Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims Fund at the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB).

According to the announcement at the program, the Organizing Committee has received support from many organizations and individuals with a total value of more than 2.5 billion VND. The support will continue to be received through account 1961 in the coming time.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh affirmed: The Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin commits that all donated money will be used in accordance with the law, for the right purpose, transparently and to the right beneficiaries./.

Earlier , on the same day, the photo exhibition “Following the Dawn” opened in the lobby on the first floor of the Military Radio and Television Center; on display until August 10 , 2025 , with many images of the journey to overcome the fate of victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. Each photo is a “slice” of the pain of war and the strong rise of the unfortunate fates due to the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin, while also sending a profound humane message to the community.