President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong on January 2 received a delegation from the Soldier’s Heart Initiative (SHI), led by President Edward Bryan Tick.

Hong briefed SHI guests on the fruitful relations between Vietnam and the US in recent years, especially in the fields of politics, economics, culture, and education.

He affirmed that both countries are promoting exchange of high-level visits and boosting mutual understanding between the two peoples, thus making practical contributions to strengthening bilateral ties.

The VUFO President shared Vietnam’s efforts in overcoming the consequences of the past war and called for more assistance from international friends in dealing with post-war issues, such as Agent Orange/Dioxin and landmine clearance.

SHI representatives expressed their impressions of Vietnam’s socio-economic development. They showed their keen interest in implementing a psychological therapy project and getting updated information on the registration for an SHI agency in Vietnam as a non-governmental organization.

During their stay in Vietnam from December 28, 2012 to January 14, 2013, the US veteran delegation visited charity establishments and a number of cultural and art centres in Hanoi.

Since 2004, SHI has sent US war veterans and their relatives to Vietnam annually with the aim of boosting cooperation and easing pains caused by the war. They have donated medicines, built houses for the poor and offered loan to local farmers.

Source: vov.vn