(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam and the US have made significant progress in addressing the consequences of war, the Vietnamese Defense Minister said on Sunday during a phone call with former Chairman of the US Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy.
 The scene of the phone conversation between Defense Minister, General Phan Van Giang and former Chairman of the US Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy (Photo: Thu Trang/qdnd.vn) |
General Phan Van Giang, who is visiting the US, said that last year, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense produced a film titled “Extraordinary Things” to honor Senator Patrick Leahy’s contributions to the bilateral relationship, including activities to overcome the consequences of the Vietnam War. In 1989, a war victims fund named after Patrick Leahy was set up, becoming the first humanitarian assistance program of the US for Vietnam, opening the door to resolve the issue, he said.
Patrick Leahy served as a Senator from 1975 to 2023 and twice as the Senate's President Pro Tempore.
 General Phan Van Giang talks to Patrick Leahy (Photo: Thu Trang/qdnd.vn) |
General Giang said Vietnam hopes for continued assistance from the US, with priority given to the acceleration of the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airbase, handling dioxin-contaminated soil at Phu Cat Airbase, clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO), and providing information, documents, equipment and technology for DNA testing to support the search and identification of Vietnamese soldiers whose information was lost or who went missing in the war.
Leahy said he personally, along with many US Senators who have a special bond with Vietnam, is committed to contributing to the bilateral relationship, particularly through activities related to the settlement of the aftermath of war.
He added that in the years to come, cooperation on war remediation will remain a foundation for further strengthening bilateral relations, contributing to both countries achieving their shared goals of peace and prosperity.