The Association of People Loving Vietnam in the Republic of Korea (VESAMO) presented 30,000 USD to Agent Orange/Dioxin victims in the northern localities of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Hanoi at a Vietnam-Republic of Korea charity event on April 22.

The night was in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam’s Southern liberation and national reunification together with the 20 years of friendship between Ho Chi Minh City and Bussan City of the RoK.

At his opening remark, VESAMO President Chang Ho Ick said the VESAMO has raised funds to support Agent Orange/Dioxin victims and established a scholarship fund for impoverished children.

Chang affirmed that the VESAMO works to be a friend to Vietnam and wishes to help the country heal its war scars.

For his part, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Pham Tien Van expressed his gratitude for the VESAMO’s efforts in organising this annual charity event over the past 13 years.

Founded in 2002, the VESAMO is a non-profit organisation whose members are primarily artists, journalists, lawyers and businessmen from southern Korean cities, such as Bussan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam.

The association handed over 26 gift packages, worth 100 million VND (4,630 USD), to orphans, impoverished children and children with disabilities in central Ha Tinh province this April.

It also provided support to Vietnamese brides, guest workers and students in the RoK.-VNA