(VNF) – General Secretary of the Vietnam – USA Society, Vice Head of the Department of American affairs (the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations - VUFO) Bui Van Nghi on January 10^th received a delegation of students from the American University. The meeting was part of the team’s two-week visit to Vietnam (from Dec 28^th, 2017 to Jan 13^th, 2018).

Overview of the meeting (photo: Phi Yen)

At the reception, General Secretary of the Vietnam – USA Society (VUS) Bui Van Nghi briefed the delegates on VUFO's activities in people-to-people diplomacy as well as peace movements of the peoples in two countries. He also emphasized key milestones in the evolution of bilateral relations, highlighting the role of VUS and people’s organizations in fostering the Vietnam – US friendship.

On the occasion, he shared with the American University students on the upcoming celebration of the 5th anniversary of Vietnam – US comprehensive partnership establishment in July, and the plan toward the 25th anniversary of Vietnam – US relations normalization.

The General Secretary of VUS also answer to the guests’ questions regarding Vietnam – US relations, postwar issues, particularly Agent Orange/ (Dioxin) contamination, unexploded ordnance (UXO), humanitarian aid and exchange programme between Vietnam and US youth.

He expressed hope that after the visit, American University students will gain deeper insight of the Vietnam-US ties and contribute to the enhancement of mutual understandings of the two peoples, leading to further progress of the Vietnam – US friendship.

General Secretary of VUS presents the book "Vietnam - US relations: History, present and future" to representative of American University student delegation (photo: Phi Yen)

On behalf of the students delegation from American University, Britta Galanis, one of the two team leaders, extended thank to VUS for the warm welcome. According to Britta, the trip to Vietnam has a special meaning to her, a young student who is highly interested in postward recovery in Vietnam. The visit is also an opportunity for her and her peers to gain a different perspective of the Vietnam war, right in the country where it took place.

The delegation from American University consists of 8 members of “Ghosts of war: Post-conflict recovery in Vietnam”. It is an organization founded at American University in 2015, focused on post-war issues remaining in Vietnam.

The team arrived in Vietnam on Dec 28, 2017. Throughout the two-week program, they have been working with government agencies from both countries, as well as several NGOs, mostly focusing on postwar issues such as Agent Orange contamination and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

The team hopes that the insights they gain from the trip will strengthen their voice in dialogue with members of US Congress and the State Department, hence bring more attention to these issues, spread awareness and advocate for more support from the United States toward the post-conflict recovery in Vietnam.

Before coming to Hanoi, the team has visited the Mine Action Visitors Center, the War Remnants Museum, the Peace Village (Tu Du hospital) in HCM.City. They also worked with project RENEW and MAG International (groups specializing in dealing with UXO issues) in Quang Tri province.

The team is scheduled to work with the US Embassy and USAID before heading back to US./.

( Phi Yen )