A ceremony took place last Friday at Da Nang’s Trung Vuong Theatre to mark the 55^th anniversary of the first use of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Viet Nam, and also the national day for AO victims (10 August).  In attendance were a total of 3,000 local pupils, war veterans, foreigners, and representatives from local agencies.

Some of the city leaders walking for AO victims

In his opening speech, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh highly praised the city’s Association of AO Victims (DAVA) for raising a total of around 100 billion VND over the past decade from international individuals and organisations to help local AO victims.  He remarked that the ceremony aimed to raise public awareness of the negative effects of chemical warfare on human health and the environment in Viet Nam.  He also took the opportunity to encourage the general public to relieve the mental and physical pain of those affected by AO.

The city leader urged local relevant agencies to implement the guidelines and policies of the Party, State and the city, and give more help to local AO victims.  In particular, DAVA was asked to improve its operation to fulfil its assigned tasks effectively in the years ahead.

After the event, the participants took part in an outdoor activity entitled ‘Walking for Vietnamese AO/dioxin Victims’.  Together they walked along Yen Bai, Phan Dinh Phung and Nguyen Chi Thanh streets in support of AO victims.

Voice Kids 2015 winner Minh presenting gifts to AO-affected children

Also on the same day, a group of artistes from across the country paid visits to the city’s Care Centre for AO Victims and Disadvantaged Children in Hoa Vang District and present gifts to them.  The artistes included the winner of Voice Kids 2015 Trinh Nguyen Hong Minh, along with many famous artistes including Truong Giang and the Hoang Son group.  The visiting guests enthusiastically sang for AO-affected children there, and their friendliness made the children feel very happy. 

Most notably, over 700 million VND was raised at a charity concert which took place at the Trung Vuong Theatre last Friday evening.   The concert featured songs and comedy performances by the artistes who had previously visited the Centre.