(VNF) - On March 29^th, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization (VUFO), Vice President of Vietnam – U.S. Society (VUS) Bui The Giang received a 15-member delegation of Peace Trees Vietnam (PTVN) led by Mr. Robert Stokes Jr., who arrived in Vietnam on March 17^th-30^th to begin their two-week trip in the country.

VUS Vice President Bui The Giang receives the delegation of Peace Trees Vietnam on March 29^th.

The VUS Vice President welcomed the trip of PTVN organization which is made in the context of bilateral relations progressing well. The Vietnam-U.S. ties have made remarkable achievements to help the two peoples better understand history and culture of each other. The two sides have been actively promoting reconciliation, reversing consequences of war and orienting good relations for the younger generations of both countries.

Mr. Giang thanked PTVN for their positive contributions in the safe clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mines, provides mine risk education and accident survivor assistance, and supports education and economic development in partnership with the people of Quang Tri Province. These efforts and contributes have helped to heal the wounds of war, build trust and friendship for the two peoples.

He also shared that much is left to be done to overcome the consequences of the war for the Vietnamese. He said he hoped that after this visit, PTVN will target more joint activities between non-governmental organizations of both countries and help Vietnam address the war’s legacy, particularly the issue of Agent Orange victims and post-war difficulties in Vietnam.

VUS Vice President also introduced the VUFO, VUS and expressed his desire to be in long-term cooperation with PTVN in the friendship exchange programs.

For his part, Mr. Robert Stokes Jr. extended his thank for the warm-welcome reception, as well as the supports received from the VUS.

He said the visit to Vietnam aimed to coordinate with VUFO and VUS to strengthen humanitarian programs, reconciliation and war consequence settlement. At the same time, the trip is also an opportunity to learn more about Vietnam culture, traditions and cuisine in order to to elevate the relations between Vietnamese and U.S. people.

Agreed with Mr. Giang’s opinions, the PTVN delegates also showed their concerns about efforts being made to ease post-war difficulties in Vietnam.

At the meeting

Mr. Robert Stokes Jr. also briefed about some their recent projects such as the Healthy Gardens Project which helps 100 women plant gardens that will provide food for their families and an income.

During the trip, the delegation also visited Quang Tri province, Thua Thien Hue and Hoi An.

Peace Trees Vietnam is the first U.S. non-governmental organization allowed to operate in Vietnam with the aim of clearing unexploded ordnances left over from the war and providing social support mainly in the central province of Quang Tri.

Quang Tri suffered the worst of American bombing during the peak of the Vietnam War and was a major battleground during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

An estimated 400,000 pieces of UXO remain buried across the province and they can be found in farmland and under houses.

More than 10,800 people have been killed or maimed by landmines and UXO. Bombs, shells, grenades, landmines, or cluster munitions that didn’t explode when they were originally deployed still pose a risk of detonation, even many decades later./.

Phuong Minh