On March 6, Administrator Power arrived in Vietnam to strengthen the U.S.-Vietnam partnership by focusing on shared priorities, including supporting a strong, prosperous, resilient, and independent Vietnam.
On March 7, the Administrator began her day at Bien Hoa Air Base where the United States is working to address a painful wartime legacy. Together with the Government of Vietnam, USAID remediated contaminated soil at the largest remaining dioxin hotspot in the country, a legacy of Agent Orange. Joined by Ministry of National Defense (MND) Vice Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoàng Xuân Chiến and Ambassador Marc Knapper, she announced a new contract of up to $73 million over five years to begin the next phase of remediation and commemorated a new park on land recently cleaned by USAID and handed over to the MND with support from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Next, Administrator Power visited the nearby home of a person with disabilities, and his aunt who serves as his caretaker, who are receiving support from USAID. A crucial part of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship is the U.S. commitment to addressing the legacies of war. USAID's disability program in Vietnam is the largest and longest running in the world, dating back to the creation of the Leahy War Victims Fund in 1989 and providing more than $140 million in support for persons with disabilities to-date. The Administrator heard from the family about the impact of USAID's support for rehabilitation services and observed an assistive device that helps the family perform daily functions
Administrator Power then joined students from Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV), the nation's first independent, nonprofit university, for a soccer scrimmage and was joined by Trần Thị Thùy Trang, a member of the Vietnamese national women's football team. Afterward, she listened to their aspirations and how FUV's American-style liberal arts education is preparing them to strengthen Vietnam's future. The Administrator shared USAID's commitment to support FUV's continued growth.
