Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and former State Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh also sent a letter of congratulation to Mr Len Aldis.

In the letter, Deputy PM Pham Gia Khiem highlighted the great contribution made by Mr Aldis and the Association for Vietnamese people in the struggle for independence and in the cause of national construction and defense.

Mr Khiem expressed hope that Mr Aldis will continue to make further contribution to the development of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the UK.

Over the past years, Mr Aldis has actively organized many activities in the UK-Vietnam Association and helped Vietnam in poverty reduction, as well as education and training. He has worked tirelessly for and proposed initiatives to support AO/dioxin victims.

Many local and foreign organizations have expressed gratitude for his support of AO/dioxin victims for more than two decades. His activities have also made many people around the world learn about Vietnam and provide assistance to charity activities.

Mr Aldis first came to Vietnam in 1989. Every year, he returns to Vietnam to help AO/dioxin victims. He has also granted US$75,000 for AO victims through the Vietnam Red Society and give initiatives to raise funds for charity activities.

He also sold souvenirs in winter days to send more money to support AO victims in Vietnam.

Last year, he opened a website to gather signatures from many people to demand justice for Vietnamese AO victims and sent the document to US President Barack Obama and US parliamentarians. So far, more than 3,380 people have signed in the document.

He said although he is 80 years old, he will continue to conduct activities to help people in the UK and international organizations raise public awareness about the serious consequences of the AO/dioxin.