The centre, which was built over more than two years at a cost of US$100,000, will provide vocational training services and organise exchanges for Agent Orange victims to help them overcome their problems and integrate into the community.

According to Kieu Hai Thoai, head of the project management board, Vinh Phuc has more than 3,000 Agent Orange victims, of whom half were directly exposed to the toxic chemical during the Vietnam War and the other half are their children. Most of them lead difficult lives and need assistance from the community.

Every year, Vinh Phuc earmarks VND500 million for the Provincial Red Cross Society to help the victims’ families. The provincial Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin also receives financial support from economic sectors and large organisations. To date, many families of AO victims have been provided with loans worth VND15 million each to develop household economies.