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No place like 'Nam

Meet the Vietnam war veterans who have decided to leave the USA and retire to Vietnam.

March 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the departure of the last American combat troops from Vietnam. Vietnamese journalist Nga Pham uncovers the surprising story of the US veterans who served in Vietnam during the 1960s and early '70s, and have since returned as retirees and decided to make the country their home.

Many vets belong to the Vietnam chapter of Veterans for Peace, an advocacy group which volunteers and donates money to support the local community. For example, the local day-care centre which cares for victims of Agent Orange - a toxic herbicide sprayed over crops and forests by the US military during the war. Former marine Manus Campbell sponsors local students through college. In Hanoi, Chuck Searcy co-founded Project Renew which removes unexploded bombs from the Quang Tri province and educates children on how to avoid them.

Presenter: Nga Pham
Producer: Victoria Ferran
A Just Radio Production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Bill Ervin serving in the US military during the war in Vietnam. Credit: Bill Ervin)

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50 minutes

Last on

Thu 2 Mar 202303:06GMT
BBC World Service South Asia

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