President Triet poses for a photo with children for charity art programme ‘Justice and Heart’

Vietnamese AO victims’ ongoing struggle for justice will be successful, said President Nguyen Minh Triet at a charity art programme entitled ‘Justice and Heart’ held in Hanoi on August 8.

The programme, jointly organised by the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (VAVA), the Thang Long Investment Group and the Vietnam Television (VTV), was one of the activities to mark the Day for Vietnamese AO Victims (August 10).

The State leader said that the war ended more than 30 years ago but its consequences have still persisted nowadays with millions of victims suffering from AO-related deformities and diseases.

“We show deep gratitude to those who devoted their lives to the struggle for national independence and are now bearing the serious affects of the toxic chemical,” he said.

President Triet expressed his thanks to the VAVA, the VTV, organisations and individuals, at home and abroad for their support to Vietnamese AO victims.

“I also thank the International Association of Democratic Lawyers for its recent opening of the International People's Tribunal of Conscience in favour of Vietnamese AO victims,” he stressed.

The President called on individuals and organisations at home and abroad to continue providing support for the victims.

During the art programme, individuals and businesses across the country donated more than VND 6.5 billion (US$36,000) and 700 T-shirts to AO victims.

On August 9, over 10,000 people in Ho Chi Minh City took part in a walk to raise funds for AO victims and disabled people in response to the Day for Vietnamese AO Victims.

Nearly VND 4 billion (US$22,000) was mobilised from the walk, which was jointly held by the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee, the VTV, and the Vietnam Communication Development Joint Stock Company. (VNA)