The Ministry of National Defense held a mission assignment ceremony in Hanoi on June 28 before the team's departure. General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defense, officially assigned the mission, describing it as a noble international responsibility that reflects Vietnam's foreign policy and humanitarian commitment while strengthening the country's international standing and reaffirming the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Venezuela.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong assigns mission to participating forces. |
The deployment marks the third overseas humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission undertaken by the VPA. Many members of the contingent previously participated in earthquake response operations in Türkiye and Myanmar in 2023 and 2025, where they demonstrated the professionalism and capability of the Vietnamese military.
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Participating forces joining the conference |
General Nguyen Tan Cuong praised participating agencies and units for thoroughly preparing personnel, equipment, logistics, and support materials. He instructed the delegation to remain disciplined, united, and determined to fulfill its mission while working closely with Vietnam's People's Public Security force, international rescue teams, local authorities, and Venezuelan communities. He also emphasized strict compliance with local laws and regulations, the safety of personnel and equipment, and the importance of upholding the traditions and values of the VPA to promote Vietnam's image abroad.
The defense leader expressed confidence that the Vietnamese contingent would successfully accomplish its mission.
According to Major General Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff, the contingent consists of 82 personnel, including 26 officers and 56 non-commissioned officers, organized into four teams.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong encourages forces. |
The command element includes 11 personnel headed by Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department.
The engineering team comprises 31 personnel equipped with victim detector kits, hydraulic rescue tools, concrete cutting and drilling equipment, lifting devices, and other specialized search-and-rescue equipment.
The military medical team includes 30 personnel from Military Hospitals 103, 354, and 105, carrying comprehensive medical equipment, medicines, and supplies to provide emergency treatment, medical care, and free medication for disaster victims and personnel operating in the field.
The team from the Border Guard Command includes 10 handlers and service dogs. Reporters from the People's Army Newspaper and Military Broadcasting Center will also accompany the mission.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong, leaders of the General Staff and the General Department of Political Affairs, and participating forces in a joint photos |
The delegation will transport approximately 88 metric tons of equipment, operational gear, and humanitarian supplies. Personnel and cargo will travel by commercial aircraft from Noi Bai International Airport to Maiquetia International Airport, about 40 kilometers from Caracas, before continuing by road to the operational area with support coordinated by the Office of the Vietnamese Defense Attaché in Venezuela and local authorities.
According to Maj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense immediately directed relevant agencies to assess the situation and develop practical assistance measures after learning of the earthquake. Drawing on experience from previous missions in Türkiye and Myanmar, the delegation is deploying newly acquired equipment, additional service dogs, and enhanced search capabilities to locate and rescue victims as quickly as possible.
He emphasized that the mission represents not only Vietnam's international responsibility, but also the friendship and solidarity of the Vietnamese people with the people of Venezuela. All 82 members have received the assignment with determination, professionalism, and the highest sense of responsibility.
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The People’s Army Newspaper’s leader encourages reporter, Lieutenant Colonel Lam Manh Toan, who is going to accompany the contingent for the mission in Venezuela. |
Relevant agencies are coordinating with airlines to arrange the earliest possible departure. The flight to Maiquetia International Airport is expected to take about 24 hours, and the Vietnamese contingent is scheduled to carry out its humanitarian mission in Venezuela for approximately 20 days.
Translated by Tran Hoai