From its inception, the VPA, described as a "force of people, fighting for people," has embodied its mission to defend the nation and bring peace to the people. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, the military together with the whole-people succeeded in the August Revolution in 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
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Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 and Engineering Company Rotation 3 of the Vietnam People's Army set out for U.N. peacekeeping operations, September 2024. |
Through relentless struggles and sacrifices, the VPA triumphed over various aggressors, contributing significantly to the liberation and reunification of the country. Its revolutionary movement has become a symbol of the national liberation movements worldwide.
Following national reunification, the VPA transitioned to safeguarding domestic peace while fulfilling international obligations. The military helped combat genocide in the region, demonstrating its dedication to peace beyond national borders. With its development into a regular, elite, and gradually modern force, the VPA now is capable of addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges effectively.
In addition to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the VPA has evolved into a key contributor to regional and global stability. Its mission for peace has extended beyond Vietnam, as evidenced by its active participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions. No force understands the cost of war and the value of peace more profoundly than people and soldiers of Vietnam.
In May 2014, Vietnam marked a historic milestone by deploying its first officers to U.N. peacekeeping missions. This effort demonstrated Vietnam's commitment to being a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community. Over a decade, more than 1,100 Vietnamese "blue-beret” soldiers have served in challenging areas, such as South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Abyei, contributing to humanitarian aid, infrastructure improvement, capacity building for local forces, and peace restoration in conflict zones.
Implementing the “VPA's participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations for 2014-2020 period and the following years” project, the VPA prioritized the development of skilled human resources for field missions and for roles within the U.N. headquarters' strategic agency. In 2020, the first VPA officer was appointed to the U.N.'s Department of Peace Operations in New York, affirming that VPA officers were competent to carry out the task. By 2024, four Vietnamese officers have successfully passed competitive examinations to work in significant positions of U.N. agencies, including military planning and training integration. These officers have contributed to enhancing Vietnam’s peacekeeping capabilities and its broader multilateral diplomacy efforts.
At the 80th founding anniversary of the VPA in December 9, 2024, in New York, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare praised Vietnam's contributions to U.N. peacekeeping operations over the past decade. He highlighted the dedication of Vietnamese military medical personnel and engineers, as well as the ultimate sacrifices made by individuals like Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh, who died while serving in U.N. peacekeeping mission the Central African Republic.
From its modest beginnings as the Vietnam Dissemination and Liberation Armed Team in 1944, the VPA has grown into an elite, regular, and modern force. Its 80-year journey reflects a mission for peace that resonates both domestically and internationally.
Celebrating the VPA's 80th founding anniversary is not only an opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who have sacrificed themselves for the nation but also a recognition of the VPA's contributions to global peace. The VPA's participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions underscores Vietnam's strategy of safeguarding the nation early and from afar during peacetime and through peaceful means. This journey highlights Vietnam’s values of peace, trust, and responsibility, enhancing its stature on the world stage and reaffirming the VPA’s role as a military for peace, cooperation, and development.
By Colonel Truong Anh Tuan, Head of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Force’s Working Group at U.N. Headquarters
Translated by Trung Thanh