An on-line choral programme will be held on June 17 to support Agent Orange (AO) victims, one day before the first oral argument of a lawsuit filed by Vietnamese AO sufferers is heard before the US Court of Appeals in New York.

Pieces written by late composer Thanh Truc and performed by My Le have been selected for the programme that will be include some of Vietnam's most recognisable singers.

The performance will begin at 03:00 on June 17 at http://www.dongcavicongly.com.

Online signatures for a petition calling for the support of Vietnamese AO victims will also be collected on the website.

Southwestern Tay Ninh province’s AO/dioxin victims association has reported that it has already collected 100,000 signatures and over VND 300 million (US $18,750) in support of AO victims.

Four AO victims - Nguyen Thi Hong, 61, from southern Dong Nai province, Nguyen Van Quy, 52, from northern Haiphong city, Vo Thanh Hai, 47, and Nguyen Muoi, 24, both from central Thua Thien-Hue province have already departed for the US to be present for the opening salvos of the case.

According to the VAVA, around 4.8 million Vietnamese people have been exposed to the dioxin with over 3 million of them eventually succumbing to the noxious chemicals. (VNA)