Vietnam ’s experiences in recovery in the aftermath of war were shared at a talk in Hanoi on April 28 in anticipation of the 35th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam.

The talk, held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations (VUFO), drew the participation of international friends from the United Kingdom , Egypt , India , Brazil , Poland , Germany , Hungary , France , Switzerland , Sweden , Japan , Sri Lanka , China , Venezuela , Russia and Ukraine .

At the talk, foreign delegates expressed their impressions on the country’s socio-economic development and international economic integration. They said they wished to learn from Vietnam ’s experiences and policies that helped the country turn from a food importer into an exporter of rice ranking second in the world.

The participants were also interested in bio-agricultural development, the environment in the urbanisation process, and the impact of Vietnam joining the World Trade Organisation on farmers and agricultural products.

VUFO Vice President Tran Dac Loi briefed the participants on Vietnam ’s development over the past 35 years, including efforts to address the serious after-effects of the war such as bombs and mines, and the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

The talk stressed the country’s efforts in building a law-governed state and successes in implementing the Doi moi (renewal) policy since 1986.

It attributed the development of a market-oriented economy in Vietnam to the country’s positive changes over the two past decades. GDP per capita increased to 1,027 USD in 2008 from 120 USD in 1986. Vietnam escaped from classification of ‘underdeveloped’ in 2008, according to United Nations criterion.

The Doi Moi policy for social development had human welfare at its core, and cultural development as a foundation, along with the development of education, training and science-technology as the country’s top priority for human resource development.

In the 1991-2000 period, Vietnam progressed half-way towards fulfilling its UN millennium development goal on poverty reduction set for 2015. The country’s average life expectancy rose to 72.8 years in 2008 from 62 in 1990 and its human development index (HDI) rose from 0.498 in 1991 to 0.688 in 2000 and 0.733 in 2007.

Vice President Loi noted that with the achievements of Doi Moi in Vietnam over almost 25 years, the Vietnamese people believe that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and with the strength of the whole nation, they will obtain the goal of building a society with a rich people and a strong, democratic, fair and civilised country.

He took the opportunity to thank international friends for their help and encouragement during the struggle for national liberation, recovering from the after-effects of war and socio-economic construction and development.

He also affirmed that the road towards national independence and socialism is a long-lasting cause, demanding creativity, patience, and the uninterrupted efforts of generations. Vietnam still has many things to do, he said.

It will take Vietnam about 300 years to clear all the bombs and mines left by the war, according to scientists. The millions of disabled people and those born with deformities due to Agent Orange/dioxin are the biggest wound of the war. There are more than 300,000 Vietnamese still missing in their native country 35 years after the end of the war, he added.

The VUFO Vice President said Vietnam once again needs solidarity, support, cooperation and help from friends around the world during this period.

Also the same day, VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong presented insignia to 33 war veterans from Russia , Ukraine and Belarus (of the former Soviet Union ).

Addressing the ceremony, President Hong highlighted the valuable assistance of specialists from former Soviet Union in the struggle against the US ’s air invasion in North Vietnam . He described the help as one of elements contributing to the glorious victory on April 30, reunifying the country./.