Thematic exhibition entitled “Joining hands to ease the pain of Agent Orange 2025” opens

On November 14, the Chemical Corps, in coordination with Military Region 7 and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Nai Province, launched the thematic exhibition entitled “Joining hands to ease the pain of Agent Orange 2025”.

The organizing committee cuts the ribbon to open the exhibition. Photo: Collaborator

The exhibition presents documents, photographs, and artifacts across 5 themes: The Agent Orange disaster and its consequences; post-war chemical decontamination efforts; support activities and the journey of seeking justice for victims; stories of resilience and benevolence; and the efforts of Military Region 7 and Dong Nai Province in addressing the consequences and caring for Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

Delegates visit the exhibition. Photo: Collaborator

According to the organizers, between 1961 and 1971, the U.S. military sprayed more than 80 million liters of chemical agents across Vietnam, 61% of which was Agent Orange containing over 366 kilograms of dioxin - an extremely toxic substance described by scientists worldwide as “the poison of humankind”.

The guide introduces images and documents to delegates. Photo: Collaborator

Dong Nai is among the “hotspots” of dioxin contamination. In 1969, at Bien Hoa Air Base, more than 28,000 liters of Agent Orange leaked into the environment, causing severe and long-lasting consequences that persist to this day. Many areas of soil, rivers, and lakes still require treatment and rehabilitation; thousands of families continue to bear the daily suffering caused by Agent Orange.

Since 1995, the Chemical Corps has surveyed, zoned off, and treated hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil at hotspots such as Da Nang, Phu Cat, and Bien Hoa airbases. The unit has also worked with international corporations to test and master technologies for remediating contaminated soil, while implementing numerous programs to support rehabilitation and improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of Agent Orange victims across central and southern provinces, including Dong Nai.

Delegates view artifacts on display. Photo: Collaborator

Through the photographs, documents, and representative artifacts on display at the Dong Nai Museum, viewers and large numbers of domestic and international visitors gain a deeper understanding of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam; the attention and commitment of the Party, the State, and the political system; and the contributions of the armed forces and people nationwide in general, and of the Chemical Corps, Military Region 7, the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at all levels, and Dong Nai Province in particular, in the ongoing effort to remedy the consequences of the chemical agents used by the U.S. during the war in Vietnam. The exhibition also honors and commends outstanding organizations and individuals.

Delegates view exhibits and listen to explanations at the opening ceremony of the 2025 thematic exhibition entitled Joining hands to ease the pain of Agent Orange. Photo: Collaborator

The exhibition helps spread the spirit of “When drinking water, remember its source”, encouraging compassion, solidarity, and continued support for Agent Orange/dioxin victims, while promoting efforts to thoroughly remediate chemically contaminated environments in Vietnam.

The exhibition is open to the public until December 14.

By Cam Thanh - Translated by Quynh Nhu, Thu Ha