Memorial to Agent Orange Victims Inaugurated in France

On 25 April, Collectif Dioxine-Vietnam and the Support Committee for the Lawsuit of Trần Tố Nga, in coordination with the Paris municipal authorities and several Franco-Vietnamese associations, inaugurated a memorial dedicated to victims of Agent Orange/dioxin at Choisy Park in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, marking the culmination of years of advocacy by civil society groups, legal experts, artists and the Vietnamese diasporas to honour victims and raise awareness of one of the gravest humanitarian disasters in modern history.

The ceremony brought together Việt Nam's Ambassador to France Trịnh Đức Hải, French parliamentarians, local officials, members of the Vietnamese community and French friends.

According to VNA correspondents in France, this is the first memorial of its kind in France and across Europe dedicated to the millions of people still suffering from the long-term effects of the chemical.

Alexandre Florantin, former Paris city councillor and initiator of the project, said the memorial represents four years of coordinated effort and social consensus. He characterised Agent Orange as "a dual tragedy, both human and environmental," and stressed that placing the monument in a public space helps "make the invisible visible," thereby encouraging awareness and action in pursuit of justice.

Léa Dang, representing the support committee for Trần Tố Nga's lawsuit, highlighted the scale of the disaster, noting that nearly 80 million litres of herbicides were sprayed over Việt Nam and neighbouring areas, describing it as "the largest chemical warfare operation in history." She said the memorial seeks to "lift the veil of forgetting" and bring this history into public consciousness.

The monument, designed by artist Kim Doan Quoc, features imagery inspired by mangrove forests, symbolising resilience, solidarity, the regenerative capacity of nature and hope in the future. The artist described the site not only as a place of remembrance but also as a gathering point for continued advocacy against similar tragedies.

Nguyễn Hồng Sơn, President of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) and President of the Ho Chi Minh city Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, emphasised that the diverse participation at the ceremony, regardless of nationality or background, reflected a shared commitment to solidarity, compassion and justice.

He described the event as both a symbol of Viet Nam-France friendship and a gesture of support for millions of victims who have endured the consequences of Agent Orange for more than six decades.

He also paid tribute to Trần Tố Nga as a symbol of resilience and courage of the Vietnamese women in the fight for justice, and noted the presence of younger generations as vital to preserving historical memory and sustaining advocacy for victims' rights.

Michel Criaud, head of the France-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group in the French National Assembly, described the inauguration as "a duty of remembrance," underscoring the importance of honouring victims and passing on historical lessons to future generations. "We do not forget," he said, expressing confidence in the continued development of bilateral ties.

Audrey Pulvar, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of international relations, European affairs and the Francophonie, characterised Agent Orange as a form of "ecological crime," citing its widespread and long-lasting damage to both people and the environment. She noted that even 50 years after the war, its effects continue to contaminate land, water and human lives, and said the memorial represents Paris's commitment to standing with victims and supporting the pursuit of justice.

Lawyer William Bourdon described Trần Tố Nga's legal battle as one of the most significant cases of his career, warning against the dangers of distorting history, which could enable similar injustices to recur. He reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the case, framing it as a symbolic struggle against impunity and in defence of international justice.

In an emotional address, Trần Tố Nga said the memorial embodies more than 60 years of perseverance by victims and their supporters worldwide. "This is not only the result of the past but also a driving force for the present and the future of our struggle for justice," she said, expressing gratitude for the international support that has sustained her efforts. She points out that "it is the understanding glances, smiles and love" of people that gave her strength to continue the journey.

At the age of 85, she reaffirmed her determination to continue the legal fight. "As long as I can breathe, I will continue this struggle," she said, citing courage, patience, hope and determination as the core values guiding the journey.