The Vietnamese peacekeeping force departs at Noi Bai International Airport for the UNISFA mission on August 8, 2023. (photo: An Dang/VNA)

Vietnam has sent over 800 officers and soldiers, including 7 officers of the Vietnam Public Security Force, to engage in 4 peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Abyei, and the UN headquarters.

Vietnam accomplishes international mission

Vietnam's peacekeeping force has achieved important results over the past decade. On May 27, 2014, Vietnam inaugurated the Vietnam Peacekeeping Center, now the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations. That same year, Vietnam sent the first two officers to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

Four years later, in 2018, for the first time Vietnam deployed the first Field Hospital Level 2. Also in 2018, the UN recognized the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations as one of four International Training Centers in the Asia-Pacific region to deploy the Trilateral Partnership Program between Vietnam, the UN, and a partner country.

In 2020, Vietnam took the post of Chair of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers. In 2022, the Vietnamese Police officially participated in a UN peacekeeping mission and sent the biggest engineering team ever to an international mission.

Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Peacekeeping Department of the Ministry of National Defense (photo: qdnd.vn)

Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Peacekeeping Department of the Ministry of National Defense, said: “Vietnam's peacekeeping force is deployed in two categories: units and individuals. For the individual category, we have sent combat staff officers, training staff officers, military observer officers, civil military coordination officers, media officers, and communication officers. For the unit category, in 2018 we deployed a Level 2 Field Hospital to South Sudan. In addition to taking care of mission staff, we also provided free medical exams and treatment to local people. In 2022 we deployed an Engineering Team of 63 soldiers to the UN Interim Force  for Abyei Mission.”

Vietnamese officers and soldiers have improved their professional skills while working in a multinational environment, used international law to handle conflicts, protected women and children, and complied with the many international treaties and conventions that Vietnam has signed.

Colonel Pham Manh Thang said: “We’ve learned a lot. First, the staff’s professional skills have been improved, thanks to training received from international experts. Second, they have been trained in the harsh environment of Africa. They have  promoted creativity to achieve good results where the proper equipment was lacking. They have learned from the experience of other armies, contributing to building stronger Vietnamese army.”

Vietnam’s contributions to global peace is internationally acknowledged

Vietnamese officers and soldiers have completed their international peacekeeping missions with distinction.

The Engineering Team in the Abyei and the Level 2 Field Hospital in South Sudan have helped the local government and people build roads, and renovate classrooms. They have conducted classes, drilled water wells, provided medical exams and treatment, and delivered free medicine to people.

The UNISFA Mission Commander, local authorities, and people in Abyei greatly appreciated the accomplishments of the Vietnamese Engineering Team.

Brigadier General Abu Syed Mohammod Bakir, UNISFA Deputy Force Commander for the 2021-2022 term, said: "Vietnam's achievements at the UN are outstanding which have become a model for other countries to follow. At the UNISFA mission, your engineering team has created outstanding results. You have done special things for the locals and recorded glorious achievements for Vietnam." 

Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, UNISFA Force Commander for the 2021-2022 term, said: "Vietnamese officers and soldiers have done great work. Everything you have done has left extremely good impressions in the minds and hearts of the local people."

At the end of their terms, the Vietnamese officers and soldiers were evaluated by the UN and awarded Certificates of Merit and Letters of Commendation. On behalf of the UN Security Council, the Commanders of the missions awarded “For the Cause of UN Peacekeeping” medals to 100% of the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army who participated in the UN peacekeeping mission.