Strengthening social responsibility and joining hands to ease suffering of AO victims

The first Congress of the Dong Nai Association for Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin (DAVA) for the 2026-2031 term officially opened on October 30.

Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang presents flowers to the congress. Photo: Nhat Phuong

Attending the congress were Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA); Nguyen Thi Hoang, Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee; and 200 official delegates representing more than 14,100 members of the city association.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, Chairman of the VAVA, presents flowers and gifts to the congress. Photo: Van Truyen

During the 2023-2026 period, the DAVA worked with relevant agencies and local authorities to carry out five key tasks: providing care and support for AO victims; mobilizing resources; coordinating the implementation of support policies; conducting public awareness campaigns and emulation movements; and strengthening external relations. The association made positive progress in these areas. Of the 80 communes and wards eligible to establish local chapters under regulations, 53 had been authorized to set up provisional executive committees, which have since begun operating. The association admitted 852 new members, bringing its total membership to 14,100, including more than 13,600 AO victims. Nearly 6,200 victims are entitled to State benefits and social assistance. In addition, nearly 50,000 AO victims and their children facing particularly difficult circumstances received financial assistance for daily living, interest-free loans and scholarships, with a total value of nearly VND76 billion.

At the congress, delegates elected a 20-member Executive Committee of the DAVA for the 2026-2031 term. Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the DAVA during the 2023-2028 term, was re-elected to lead the association for the 2026-2031 term. Bui Van Thanh and Nguyen Thi Thuan were elected Vice Chairpersons.

Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the DNVA, addresses the congress on behalf of the newly elected Executive Committee. Photo: Van Truyen

On this occasion, Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, Chairman of the VAVA, provided VND50 million in livelihood capital to support AO victims in Dong Nai.

He expressed confidence that the new Executive Committee would continue to rally people from all walks of life to support AO victims through practical actions.

The newly elected Executive Committee of the DNVA for the 2026-2031 term is introduced at the congress. Photo: Nguyen Hien

Addressing the congress, Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang called on local chapters of the association to continue working with the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), socio-political organizations and relevant agencies to disseminate the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws. She also emphasized the need to raise awareness throughout the political system and strengthen society’s responsibility for joining efforts to care for victims and ease the suffering caused by AO. The association was also urged to proactively advise Party committees and local authorities and coordinate with the VFF, socio-political organizations and relevant agencies to effectively implement the targets set out in the congress resolution. The association should also proactively raise funds and ensure transparency and accountability in the management and use of the resources mobilized.

By V. Truyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha