Vietnam expresses regret about dioxin lawsuit ruling in France

Vietnam regrets Paris court ruling on Tran To Nga’s AO/dioxin lawsuit

“We strongly support the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin to demand that the firms that produced and supplied these toxic chemicals to the US military during the war in Vietnam, causing millions of Vietnamese people to become victims, bear responsibility for the consequences,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said at a press briefing on August 22.

“Though the war is over, the severe consequences still have a profound impact on the country and people of Vietnam, including the long-term and serious consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin,” said the spokesperson.

Tran To Nga, 82, lodged an appeal against Bayer-Monsanto and 13 other firms that produced or marketed Agent Orange/dioxin used by the US military during the war in Vietnam between 1961-1971. In 2021 the Evry first instance court in France rejected Nga’s suit, ruling that the firms had enough grounds to use ‘immunity’ because they acted at the request of the US government.

During the May 7, 2024 hearing, the Paris Court of Appeals did not rule on the case after the lawyers of the chemical firms completely denied their clients’ responsibility, asserting that they only complied with the technical requirements of the US military during wartime.

Tran To Nga is one of more than three million Vietnamese victims who suffered the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin. She has spent more than 10 years demanding justice for the victims, including six years of pursuing the lawsuit.

When she filed the lawsuit, there were more than 3 million victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam. After 12 years, the number of the victims has reached more than 4 million belonging to second, third and fourth generations.

Viet Nam rejects false information on exit ban for British citizens

Viet Nam opposed claims from a U.K. newspaper that British citizens may have their passports seized and be banned from leaving Viet Nam, Hang told reporters. 

The move came after The Mirror last week reported that the U.K. Foreign Office had adjusted guidelines for its citizens abroad, saying that "Vietnamese authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country," and that passports "will be seized until the case is fully investigated".

The UK directive lists out a number of situations that could trigger an exit ban from Vietnamese authorities, which may be related to investigations into an individual, their family or an employer, criminal and civil matters, such as business disputes or motor vehicle accidents, employment without a work visa or unpaid financial debts.

The Spokeswoman affirmed that over the past years, competent Vietnamese authorities have taken numerous actions to facilitate the travelling of foreigners to Viet Nam to study, work, invest, explore the market, and for tourism purposes, in compliance with Vietnamese regulations and laws.

An InterNations report issued last year said Viet Nam is among the best 15 countries for expats. The report surveyed around 12,000 people from 171 countries and territories.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos bond holds strategic importance

At the press briefing, spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang also mentioned about the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle. Accordingly, Hang said that the bond of friendship, solidarity, and trust between the three countries Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam is a great value for all three nations. The bond holds strategic significance in the efforts of each country to build, protect, and develop, contributing to the growth of the ASEAN Community, the spokesperson stated in response to the press' queries on the matter.

"Over 25 years of formation and development, cooperation within the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle has contributed to economic and trade development, as well as people-to-people exchanges between the three countries. The cooperation plays an important role in improving the living standards for the people of all three countries, especially those living in this area."

The diplomat also commented that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with Cambodia and Laos to organise the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Triangle Summit slated to be held in Cambodia this December.

Vietnam continues monitoring, assessment of mpox situation

Making her statement in reply to a question regarding the control of the disease in Vietnam, Hang noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency due to its rapid spread in several African countries.

According to the spokeswoman, the Ministry of Health on August 19 issued a document delivered to the people's committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute, and infectious disease treatment centres to enhance mpox prevention efforts. They were urged to strictly adhere to the instructions in the Prime Minister’s dispatch dated August 1, 2022 on strengthening the prevention and control of the disease.

The dispatch also covers the diagnosis and treatment of mpox, as well as measures to prevent its transmission in healthcare establishments. Accordingly, Vietnam has intensified the monitoring and detection of suspected cases at border checkpoints and within public and private healthcare establishments.

In addition, health authorities and relevant agencies are working closely with localities to enhance public communications on preventive measures, oversee and direct anti-epidemic efforts, while reviewing and updating contingency plans to ensure readiness in response to potential outbreaks. In the time to come, health agencies and disease control bodies will continue to assess and closely monitor the situation to promptly implement necessary measures to protect public safety.