During her 18-year military career, Lt. Col. Le Thi Bich Ngoc has spent 15 years teaching English at the Political Academy. Colleagues and students recognize her for her dedication, creativity, and commitment to professional growth. Within a disciplined, traditional academic environment, she consistently maintains a proactive and innovative mindset.
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Lt. Col. Le Thi Bich Ngoc is always known as a typical role model of responsibility, creativity in teaching, and an unceasing spirit of dedication. |
She integrates digital technology and AI into her teaching to enhance lesson design and assessment. Beyond language instruction, she fosters discipline and a spirit of service in future Vietnam People’s Army officers. Her research on blended learning has successfully modernized academy training. This expertise led to her 2025 deployment to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), a challenging yet prestigious duty.
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Lt. Col. Le Thi Bich Ngoc with children at Haj Negil School |
South Sudan is widely known as a complex and demanding mission area where harsh heat, poor infrastructure, and security risks from violence and disease challenge peacekeepers. Beyond professional competence, officers must demonstrate strong resolve, adaptability, and strict discipline.
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Children enthusiastically taking part in challenges of writing letters and drawing shapes on the ground |
Lt. Col. Le Thi Bich Ngoc served as a Liaison Officer at UNMISS, coordinating between Headquarters and the Integrated Operations Centre. Despite a demanding workload and diverse international environment, she successfully fulfilled her duties by leveraging her English proficiency and pedagogical background, enhancing the Vietnam People’s Army's professional image.
Beyond her primary role, Ngoc spearheaded humanitarian initiatives in the Juba Sector. At Kapuri School, she introduced agricultural education models, while at Haj Negil School, she innovated teaching methods using pebbles to help students write on the ground. These efforts, particularly seeing children learn the word “Vietnam,” defined her impactful mission as a Vietnamese “blue beret.”
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Students practicing tree planting |
These quiet but meaningful contributions helped build trust among local communities toward UNMISS in general and Vietnam’s peacekeeping force in particular. They reinforced the image of Vietnamese peacekeepers as responsible, compassionate, and close to the people they serve.
In recognition of her contributions to U.N. peacekeeping, Lt. Col. Le Thi Bich Ngoc was awarded the “For U.N. Peacekeeping Cause Medal” and assessed by the Juba Sector Command as having excellently fulfilled her duties. The recognition demonstrated her professional competence, strong sense of responsibility, compassion, and persistent efforts throughout the mission, as well as the credibility and commitment of the Vietnam People’s Army to international peacekeeping operations.
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The efforts of Lt. Col. Le Thi Bich Ngoc have been recognized by the Mission, international colleagues, and local residents. |
On January 23, 2026, the female officer completed her mission, closing a chapter marked by challenges and pride. From the Political Academy to the demanding environment of South Sudan, she has helped spread the positive image of the military educator and exemplified the enduring qualities of Vietnamese soldiers in an era of deep international integration.
Translated by Tran Hoai