Painting exhibition highlights lingering effects of Agent Orange
A painting exhibition highlighting the effects of Agent Orange on humans with works by the US’s famous painter David Thomas and the Boston Printmakers opened at Da Nang Arts Museum on April 17.
Visitors look at a painting at the exhibition in Da Nang. (Photo: VNA)
DaNang (VNA) – A painting exhibition highlight🙈ing the effects of AgentOrange on humans with works by the US’s famous painter David Thomas and the Boston Printmak🐻ersopened at Da Nang Arts Museum on April 17.
On display are 70 paintings that have beenarranged in two spaces. Thefirst space, themed “Finding Parkinsons”, showcase artworks by painterThomas who was born in Portland, Maine, in 1946. Heis a US war veteran and was the first foreigner to be awarded a "For the culture cause" order in recognition of his contribution to Vietnam’s culture in 1999. In 2010, he was presented an insignia "For the cause of Vietnamese fine arts" by the Vietnam Fine ArtsAssociation. In2015, Thomas was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which he believed tobe caused by exposure to Agent Orange during wartime. After seeing X-ray filmsof his brain, he created visual images of the battle with the disease. Thesecond space displays artworks by 37 members of the Boston Printmakers,intended to promote solidarity and mutual understanding between Vietnamese andUS artists. Foundedin 1947, the mission of the Boston Printmakers is to promote public knowledgeof graphic paintings and encourage the development of the graphic art. Theseartworks themed “Peace, Love, and Understanding” will be donated to the Da NangFine Arts Museum after the exhibition closes on April 21. Inher remarks at the opening, Nguyen Thi Chinh, deputy directorof the museum, said the exhibition aimed to strengthen friendship and international cooperation, creating opportunitiesfor local artists to exchange with foreign peers, especially in the creation of graphicpaintings. Italso introduced unique, meaningful and works of high artistic value to thepublic, reflecting the severe and persistent consequences caused by AgentOrange to humans, she said./.
A delegation from the Office of the Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences head by Colonel Le Dinh Vu attended a conference on war consequences and peace held by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington D.C. on October 11-12.
Sen Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh, president of the Vietnam Association of Agent Orange/dioxin Victims (VAVA) has suggested the US form a long-term support programme inclusively for Agency Orange (AO) victims in Vietnam to enhance the effectiveness of US’s assistance relating to the settlement of war consequences.
The National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET) opened a seminar and photo exhibition in Hanoi on December 19 in support of Agent Orange (AO) victims.
Minister of Public Security General To Lam called on donors to continue joining hands to build houses for the poor and Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) victims, during the launch of a programme to give housing support to poor households and AO victims in the northern province of Hung Yen on March 13.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
Visitors look at a painting at the exhibition in Da Nang. (Photo: VNA) 
