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| USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs and WRM Director Dr. Tran Xuan Thao signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on their partnership at a ceremony held at the museum, with a visiting delegation of U.S. Congress members led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Consul General Susan Burns witnessing. Source: USAID Vietnam |
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in highlighting initiatives to address the aftermath of conflict. On April 10, Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) reported on the agreement.
USAID Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs and World Resources Management (WRM) Director Dr. Tran Xuan Thao signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commemorate their partnership at a ceremony held at the museum. The signing of the MoU marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the two organizations.
A delegation of U.S. Congressmen, headed by Senator Jeff Merkley, attended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between USAID Country Director in Vietnam, Aler Grubbs, and the Director of the museum, Tran Xuan Thao.
It was the initial tangible result of the memorandum of understanding to carry out shared communication activities to heighten understanding of collaboration in tackling the aftermaths of war between the USAID and the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on the Resolution of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences in Vietnam (Office 701) in 2021.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide assistance to the museum in constructing a contemporary display area that meets global standards and is convenient for patrons. The displays will include sections dedicated to landmine clearance, environmental restoration, and aid for people with disabilities.
The exhibition space is set to open in 2025 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States and the 50th anniversary of the end of the war and the establishment of the museum.
Speaking at the event, Senator Merkley vowed to strive for collaborative efforts in initiatives to aid those with disabilities, particularly children who have been impacted by war; as well as for the defusing of unexploded ordnance and the remediation of areas contaminated with dioxin.
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| A repatriation ceremony of remaina of US servicemen who died during the war in Viet Nam was held at Da Nang International Airport on April 10. Photo: VNA |
On the same day, a memorial ceremony was held at Da Nang International Airport in the central city of Da Nang to mark the 160th repatriation of the remains of US soldiers missing in action during the war.
On Tuesday, a representative of Vietnam transferred two sets of remains to the American side, the result of the 150th joint search conducted between February and April 2023 in the central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Binh.
The humanitarian joint effort to search for US soldiers missing in action during the Vietnam War has been ongoing since the late 1980s, conducted between the two Governments. To date, the remains of 732 US soldiers who perished during the war have been verified.
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| The seeking of the remains of US servicemen missing during the war in Vietnam is humanitarian cooperation between the Vietnamese and US Government. This is the 160th hand-over of American missing servicemen’s remains since 1973. Photo: VNA |
and other leaders.
Earlier this month, the delegation of members of the US Congress led by Senator Jeff Merkley traveled to Hanoi, where they met with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang, and other influential leaders.
Senator Merkley vowed to strive to foster partnerships with Vietnam, especially in the area of overcoming the consequences of war.
On the special occasion, Senator Merkley presented the Vietnamese Defence Ministry a collection of papers containing details about Vietnamese soldiers who went missing during the Vietnam War.
Minister Giang recently sent Senator Patrick Leahy a film showcasing the senator’s significant contributions to the fostering of strong relations between the two countries.
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