    |
 |
|
Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang speaks at the event. |
The ceremony was chaired by Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, who is also Head of the Inter-sectoral Working Group and Head of the MND’s Steering Committee for Vietnam’s Participation in U.N. Peacekeeping Operations.
|
|
 |
|
U.N. peacekeeping officers attending the ceremony |
General Thang emphasized that the officers must continue to uphold the nature and traditions of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and of Vietnam’s “blue beret” force, demonstrating professional competence, sound expertise, and strong capabilities in staff work, organization, and situation handling. High standards of professionalism were required in all aspects of their duties.
At the same time, the officers were tasked with further promoting the image and cultural values of Vietnam, its people, and the Vietnam People’s Army on the international stage. They were instructed to strictly implement the foreign relations guidelines and policies of the Party, State, and the military; comply fully with U.N. regulations and the laws of host countries; ensure security and safety; and maintain proper military bearing both while performing their duties and in daily life.
The defense leader stressed the importance of civilized, standard, and cautious conduct in words and actions in a multinational environment, in order to uphold and enhance the prestige and image of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers.” He called on the officers to demonstrate initiative, self-reliance, and resilience; overcome difficulties; and support one another in accomplishing their missions successfully.
|
|
 |
|
Major General Pham Manh Thang, VNDPKO Director, speaks at the event. |
|
|
 |
|
The assigned officers listen to the declaration of decisions issued by the State President and the Minister of National Defense. |
The four deployed this time are carefully selected officers who meet the U.N.’ stringent standards. They will replace officers currently serving at the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and assume a new position at the U.N. Liaison Office for Peace and Security in Brussels, Belgium.
Colonel Vu Thi Lien, Assistant at VNDPKO's Training Division, successfully applied for and was selected for the position of Security and Defense Policy Expert at the U.N. Liaison Office for Peace and Security in Brussels, the first female Vietnamese officer to be selected for a position at a U.N. office, marking a new and significant milestone in the professional and increasingly in-depth international integration of Vietnam’s peacekeeping force.
|
|
 |
|
Colonel Vu Thi Lien delivers a commitment statement. |
Lieutenant Colonel Dang Thu Ha, a journalist of the People’s Army Newspaper, was assigned to replace Captain Nguyen Huyen Anh and will serve as a Military Public Information Officer at the MINUSCA. This position plays an important role as a bridge between the mission’s forces and the public, contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability through official and reliable information. With a solid journalism background, specialized training in peacekeeping communications, and completion of all required pre-deployment courses, Col. Ha is well prepared to fulfill her duties. Her deployment is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Captain Nguyen Huy Khai, Foreign Affairs Assistant at Military Hospital 175, was assigned to replace Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Tuan and will serve as a Contingent-Owned Equipment Staff Officer at MINUSCA. Capt. Khai previously participated in U.N. peacekeeping operations as part of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 3 at the UNMISS, and has practical experience working in a multinational and multicultural environment. His deployment is scheduled for February 10, 2026.
|
|
 |
|
Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang presents the decision to Lt. Col. Dang Thu Ha. |
Captain Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, an officer of the Vietnam Coast Guard, was assigned to replace Lieutenant Colonel Bui Thi Minh Nguyet and will serve as a Training Staff Officer at MINUSCA.
All four officers have completed mandatory U.N. courses, including pre-deployment training, the U.N. staff officer course, the U.N. logistics officer course, and the U.N. military observer course, as well as additional specialized training relevant to their assigned positions.
|
|
 |
|
Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang, delegates, and peacekeepers at the event |
The continued deployment of Vietnamese officers to U.N. peacekeeping missions demonstrates the consistent policy of the Party, the State, the CMC, and MND in pro-actively pursuing international integration and responsibly contributing to the common peacekeeping mission of the international community. At the same time, it reinforces the credibility, standing, and image of the VPA in the international arena.
Translated by Tran Hoai