Press award established for reporting on Agent Orange, toxins

Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin (VAVA) on May 26 launched a press award for reporting on Agent Orange and efforts to overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals used by US forces during the war in Vietnam.

This is part of the activities designed to mark the 60th anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam, which began on August 10, 1961.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, VAVA Chairman, said the war ended 45 years ago but more than 3 million Vietnamese still bear its impact.

The use of toxins resulted in millions of Vietnamese children being born deformed. Many people live on the contaminated land, and malformations have been shown to be inherited by third and fourth generations.

The award is open to all professional and amateur journalists, collaborators with domestic news agencies, and overseas Vietnamese.

Entries should be reflections, interviews, comments, treatises, reportage, reports, or investigations in printed newspapers or electronic newspapers written in Vietnamese and used by local press between January 1, 2020 and March 30, 2021.

The content should focus on reflecting upon the severe consequences of the US’s chemical war in Vietnam, praising examples of hardships being overcome to integrate into the community, support activities, and fighting for justice for AO/dioxin victims.

A maximum of three entries per entrant is permitted and can be sent to 35 Ho Me Tri Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi.

Results will be announced on August 10 next year./.