Socialist Republic of Vietnam

by Tri Binh

He became famous through a war photograph – then disappeared.

Soldier Le Xuan Chinh was presumed dead by many, including the man who took the well-known picture, former war correspondent Doan Cong Tinh.

In fact the young fighter had survived the horrendous fighting in the American War. But only to go on to a life of poverty in the remote north.

How Chinh finally found redemption is a tale of compassion and coincidence – all of it revolving around that one photograph.

A rocket-launcher by his side

WTO Seminar, Hanoi Aug 5-6, 2003

Ladies and Gentlemen:

First of all, on behalf of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I would like to highly appreciate the initiative of New York Life International and U.S. – Vietnam Trade Council, and other significant Vietnamese agencies, to cooperate in organizing this seminar on the relevant topic of Vietnam acceding membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

HA NOI — Viet Nam is accelerating its negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation by 2005 to ensure greater access to overseas markets, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar about Viet Nam’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Khoan said the membership move would benefit enterprises and consumers, as well as restructure the whole economy.

HA NOI — The Fund for Agent Orange Victims has spent up to VND23 billion (US$1.5 million) to help people across the country, since it was established five years ago, its director Le The Son said last Friday.

"The money has helped improve living conditions for 220,429 agent orange victims. Among them, 91,000 were given free treatment, and 1,350 received plastic surgery and rehabilitation."