On August 10, 1961, the US army began chemical warfare in Vietnam. For 10 years, from 1961 to 1971, the US army sprayed 80 million litres of toxic chemicals, 61% of which was Agent Orange, on one quarter of Vietnam’s southern region.Toxic chemicals used by the US in Vietnam from 1961 to 1971 exposed an estimated 4.8 million Vietnamese people, with over 3 million suffering lasting health effects. Many victims have faced severe illnesses, disabilities and intellectual impairments. The consequences of AO exposure have continued for the fourth generation, causing immense suffering for Vietnamese families. Overcoming the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin is an urgent, long-term task
 The Vietnamese government has made overcoming the consequences of Agent Orange an urgent long-term issue. Vietnam has adopted several policies to deal with the consequences of Agent Orange. The State spends millions of dollars a year on health care and rehabilitation for victims and support for areas heavily impacted by Agent Orange. The movement “Action for Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange” launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front in June 2011 has been strongly responded by people inside and outside Vietnam. The movement has helped victims stabilize their lives and integrate into the community.
Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange receive monthly allowances, free health insurance and free medical examinations and treatment. Hundreds of thousands of people with severe disabilities from Agent Orange have received orthopedic and functional rehabilitation. Tens of thousands of disabled children, many of them crippled by Agent Orange, have been helped to attend school.

The Vietnamese Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin has mobilized resources to help victims with home repairs, detoxification, rehabilitation, vocational training, credit for production, and free wheelchairs and has built several social protection centers. There are 12 Peace Villages and Friendship Villages and many centers nationwide to nurture thousands of children with deformities caused by Agent Orange/dioxin.
In its effort to deal with the consequences of Agent Orange, Vietnam has received strong support from international friends. At a meeting in Damas, Syria, in October 2009, the Executive Committee of the World Peace Council declared August 10 the Day for Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange. From 2004 to 2009, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers organized the International People’s Tribunal of Conscience to try 37 US chemical companies for supplying toxic chemicals to the US military for use in the war in Vietnam. The United Nations Development Program has provided financial support to help Vietnam treat dioxin contaminated soil at Phu Cat airport in Binh Dinh province and equip Vietnam with a dioxin analysis laboratory. Many foreign organizations and individuals have come to Vietnam to train Vietnam in dioxin detoxification.

The US government has coordinated with Vietnam to complete the decontamination program at Da Nang Airport, treating 90,000 m³ of contaminated soil, disinfecting nearly 30,000m2 of land at Bien Hoa airport, and helping people with disabilities, including Agent Orange victims in many provinces including Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Nam.
Numerous Agent Orange victims have strived to overcome challenges to pursue education and contribute positively to society, although the quest to alleviate the suffering of these victims remains an enduring one, demanding persistence and collaboration from various stakeholders.
However, there remained limitations and challenges in the work, including the slow progress due to insufficient resources in terms of funding, equipment, and technologies, incomplete victim surveys, and a lack of original records for victim identification.
The primary challenge faced by Agent Orange victims today is medical assistance. This includes providing care and support for victims both at their homes and within social protection centres and wider communities. Many descendants of the victims, including their children and grandchildren, are grappling with severe illnesses. The impending concern is the lack of support these younger generations will face once their parents are no longer around.

Hence, the importance of long-term planning, advocating for clear and cohesive policies from the central government down to local levels to ensure these individuals are cared for after the demise of their parents. The hope that various organisations, individuals, and benefactors would offer aid, ensuring stable employment opportunities forthe victims so they can be self-reliant.
 To focus on developing policies specifically for third-generation Agent Orange victims. 
Supporting the victims of Agent Orange isn't solely a charitable act. It is a tangible way of expressing gratitude to those who made significant contributions to the nation. Moreover, it embodies the collective conscience and responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. The whole of society, must come together to assist these victims.