Representatives of the international and national committees for the Vietnam Friendship Village formalised the agreement during the 19th conference of the International Committee. The event brought together Rosemarie Mizo, president of the International Committee and the German National Committee, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hong Huong, vice chairman of the Vietnam War Veterans’ Association and head of the Vietnamese National Committee, and delegates from France, the US and Japan.
Under the agreement, the parties committed to maintaining and enhancing care for around 60 war veterans and former youth volunteers each month, alongside 110-120 children affected by AO/dioxin residing at the village. Programmes in rehabilitation, special education, vocational training and community reintegration will continue.
In healthcare, the memorandum calls for stronger coordination with specialised medical institutions, combining traditional and modern treatments while expanding physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. Disease prevention, community healthcare and training for medical staff are also prioritised.
Education and vocational training will include continued specialised classes in tailoring, embroidery, information technology, flower-making and handicrafts. Greater emphasis will be placed on life skills, psychological support and career guidance. Community integration initiatives, including the “George Mizo Scholars” project, are set to expand.
The agreement also highlights stronger international engagement with organisations, embassies, businesses and donors, alongside enhanced communication and resource mobilisation to support the village’s work.
Funding commitments for 2026-2027 were confirmed at the conference. Spending is projected at more than VND 20.30 billion (USD 770,600) in 2026 and nearly VND 23.20 billion in 2027, sourced from the state budget, the Ministry of National Defence, domestic donors and contributions from the International Committee and its members.
Planned projects include community integration support for children, infrastructure upgrades, staff training, the reception of international volunteers and cooperation with organisations such as Outreach Vietnam in education and healthcare.
Participants said sustained international cooperation would improve the effectiveness of the village’s work while reinforcing a broader humanitarian message of peace, reconciliation and shared responsibility in addressing the consequences of war.
The Vietnam Friendship Village, run by the Vietnam War Veterans’ Association, spans more than three hectares in Hanoi. It supports war veterans, former youth volunteers and their children affected by AO/dioxin. The village was built with cooperation from the US, Germany, France, Japan, Canada and the UK, following the initiative of US veteran George George Mizo.
