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| Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (left) at a ceremony honoring outstanding individuals in the ‘For Agent Orange Victims’ movement for the 2026 - 2031 period. Photo courtesy of Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh |
Understanding each circumstance
In early 2020, after many years dedicated to the teaching profession, Mr. Thanh retired from teaching. His years in the military had given him a profound understanding of the brutality of war. After retirement, he was entrusted with serving as Chairman of the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in the former Giang Hai Commune, a role that brought him even closer to the suffering of victims and the consequences of Agent Orange that have subtly persisted across generations.
“Through my visits, I came to better understand the lives of our members,” Mr. Thanh recalled. “Because of the effects of Agent Orange, most of them face tremendous hardship in their daily lives. After learning about their circumstances, I could not stop thinking about what could be done. How could we stand by them and share some of their burdens so that Agent Orange victims could have greater hope and strength to carry on?”
Among the association members Mr. Thanh often mentions is Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam from Giang Che Village, Vinh Loc Commune. Ms. Cam took part in the resistance war and was exposed to toxic chemicals. Now in her 70s, widowed and in poor health, she faced even greater hardship after suffering a stroke three years ago. Caring for her became increasingly difficult.
Mr. Thanh realized that the association needed a more reliable source of funding so that it could provide timely assistance to people facing hardship. He therefore proposed establishing and operating a fund dedicated to caring for Agent Orange victims.
In 2023, while serving as the association’s chairman, Mr. Thanh actively reached out to organizations, individuals and benefactors, raising VND 50 million. With the additional funding, the association was better able to visit victims, provide gifts and offer assistance to those in difficult circumstances.
Not limiting his efforts to mobilizing support from the community, Mr. Thanh also contributed personally to the association’s fund. From 2023 to June 2025, he donated VND 600,000 each month - equivalent to one-third of the allowance he received as chairman - to help fund care for victims.
Between 2023 and 2026, Mr. Thanh helped raise more than VND 120 million to support Agent Orange victims in the local community.
Sharing care and compassion
Ms. Nguyen Thi Xoa, an Agent Orange victim from Truong Xuan Village in Vinh Loc Commune and the daughter of a fallen soldier, currently lives with her aunt and uncle. She is among those who have received support from the association. “When I was born, I developed normally like any other child,” said Ms. Xoa. “But when I was seven, the illness began to emerge. My arms and legs gradually became atrophied, and my mobility became increasingly limited.”
For Ms. Xoa, visits and gifts from the association are always a source of joy. “Thanks to Mr. Thanh and the association, I have received both material and emotional support,” she said. “What means the most to me is knowing that people remember me, care about me, encourage me and share in my difficulties. Mr. Thanh’s kindness makes him seem like a ‘Mr. But’ to me. It gives me warmth and the strength to keep going”.
Through meeting people in different circumstances, Mr. Thanh has come to understand that the consequences of Agent Orange extend far beyond physical illness. “In addition to health problems, victims face difficulties in their daily lives, livelihoods and emotional well-being,” he said. “That is why I have always believed that care and support for victims need to be more attentive and persistent”.
Although he no longer serves as chairman of the association, Mr. Thanh continues to stand by Agent Orange victims. Mr. Tran Van Trung, Chairman of Hue City Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, said that Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh had made significant contributions to caring for and supporting Agent Orange victims. According to Mr. Trung, Mr. Thanh’s efforts reflect both a strong sense of responsibility and a deeply valued spirit of compassion toward those affected by Agent Orange.
Most recently, Mr. Nguyen Văn Thanh received a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the ‘For Agent Orange Victims’ emulation movement for the 2021-2026 period.