We reserve the right to edit comments to fit space. A legitimate mailing address and phone number are required. Please direct your comments to: editor@thanhniennews.com
About the Agent Orange debate
I read with great interest your article titled “Villagers say children suffer unknown mental illness” [October 22 issue] in Ho Do Commune in the central province of Ha Tinh. In your article, there is mention of a possible linkage to Agent Orange/dioxin contamination.
I, personally, have been involved in research in Vietnam on the Agent Orange issue since 1994. All information we have gathered and reviewed on the subject indicates that the US military's “Operation Ranch Hand” did not spray herbicides in Ha Tinh Province.
Data suggest that Quang Tri Province was the northern-most province to be sprayed during the Vietnam War. Consequently, the direct exposure of Ha Tinh populations as a result of presence of Agent Orange in that region of Vietnam is highly unlikely. The northern-most border of Quang Tri was along the 17 Parallel which was the dividing line between the old north and south Vietnam.
This begs the question as to what may be causing the developmental problems of children in Ho Do Commune.
Perhaps nutritional studies in that region of Ha Tinh should be undertaken to determine deficiencies and/or some inappropriate foods that may have some relationship to the conditions observed. Deficiencies of folic acid, for example, have been linked to developmental problems.
Vietnamese researchers have undertaken interesting studies wherein they have followed soldiers who lived in the former north Vietnam and migrated to the south to fight during the war and were exposed to Agent Orange while in the south.
After they returned to the north, it was found that a high percentage of these soldiers had children with developmental problems. Perhaps studies should be undertaken in Ho Do Commune to determine if there are parental links to this category of soldiers who fought during the Vietnam War and who were also exposed to Agent Orange during their tours of duty in the south.
Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk*
* The writer is a retired senior scientist/advisor at Hatfield Consultants, a leader in the field of researching Agent Orange contamination from dioxin herbicides in Vietnam.
Honoring a path out of poverty
After reading your article on Nguyen Minh Thuan, I felt heartbroken and astonished at the same time [“A path out of poverty,” November 12 issue]. It’s absolutely amazing how the human mind works when facing many of life’s adversities. I would very much like to contact Nguyen Minh Thuan to assist him in pursuing his education. I would greatly appreciate it if you could assist me in my endeavor.
Lynn Nguyen
Kansas, USA
Editor’s note: Please direct your help to Nguyen Minh Thuan at No. 208/10, Binh Duong zone, Long Hoa Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City, Vietnam.
Save the young citizens
In response to the story on “Vietnamese bride service draws criticism” published in Thanh Nien Daily [November 12 issue], if the Vietnamese government does not have any plans to crack down on this agency, our young citizens will be treated as materials for people who have money to buy them.
Nguyen Hien
USA |
E-mail to a friend 
Print version
To top
