Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Nhandan.org.vn

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan on Tuesday lauded the contributions by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), particularly President Robert Muller, to promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples and the normalisation of Vietnam-US relations.

Expressing his appreciation at a reception given to Mr Muller in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Khoan said he hoped that VVAF would continue to boost friendship between the Vietnamese and American people and help Vietnam overcome war consequences and develop sustainably.

Mr Muller briefed Mr Khoan about the VVAF's operations over the past ten years and his visit, which was aimed to celebrate 10 years of Vietnam-US normalisation.

Last year, the VVAF provided about US $2.6 million for the "sustainable benefits for impaired mobility" project in the 2003-05 period. The project has been carried out at the functional rehabilitation wards in Bach Mai Hospital, the Central Paediatrics Hospital and hospitals in Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh provinces.

Since 1994, the VVAF has provided around 10,000 rehabilitation tools free-of-charge to 7,000 Vietnamese whose mobility is impaired.

Also on Tuesday the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations presented the VVAF with its highest distinction, the medal ‘For Peace and Friendship among Nations.’