Relations boosted between Vietnamese women and American women

 During their stay in Vietnam, the delegation had many activities with the Women's Unions at all levels, such as: visiting and working with VWU President Nguyen Thi Thu Ha; sharing about the American women movement with the VWU’s staff; visiting and learning the experience of the Vietnam Women’s Academy (VWA) in female cadre training; model of Tinh Thuong o­ne member Limited Liability Microfinance Institution (TYM) o­n micro finance support for poor women; experience of the Center for Women and Development (CWD) o­nsupport for the victims of domestic violence and human trafficking; attending the meeting of the Club of domestic workers in Hanoi; visiting an agricultural cooperative in Hoa Binh province; visiting the Board of the Club of men o­n prevention and combat of violence against women and children in Da Nang city; visiting a women-owned embroidery enterprise in Thua Thien Hue province,…

The delegation also met ethnic women, female members of People’s Councils at all levels, women who joined the American resistance war, female workers, victims of Agent Orange, etc in Hanoi, Hoa Binh, Da Nang, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

Within the working schedule, the delegation also met with many agencies and departments, organizations and individuals, such as: Mr. Tran Dac Loi, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Affairs; Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation; Mme. Nguyen Thuy Anh - Chairwoman of the NA Social Affairs Committee and female leaders of the Committee; Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper, etc, thus helping them get a better insight into Vietnam. In particular, the delegation was very concerned about Agent Orange/dioxin issue in Vietnam. Therefore, they spent time working with Da Nang Association for Victims of Agent Orange (DAVA) and its Center for Agent Orange victims and also Hoa Binh Village of Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Members of the delegation expressed their enthusiasm to raise awareness of the American people o­n Agent Orange and its impact o­n Vietnamese people.

In addition, the delegation also visited some historical, revolutionary and cultural sites of Vietnam, such as: President Ho Chi Minh Relic site, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Vietnam Women’s Museum, Muong Cultural Heritage Museum, Hue Imperial City, Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum, etc. Each site left a deep impression o­n the delegates.

It can be said that the visit has contributed to strengthening the solidarity and friendship between Vietnamese and American people in general and women in particular. The visit is also a precious experience for the members of the delegation to understand more about the country and people of Vietnam. All the members expressed their admiration for the strong will and great efforts of Vietnamese people including Vietnamese women in the struggle for independence and unification of the country as well as in the cause of the national construction and defense today.

Both parties expected to keep sharing of information o­n the women's movement and the activities of organizations in order to promote the understanding and solidarity as well as cooperation between women of the two countries.