Female officers from the Ministry of National Defence serving in the United Nations peacekeeping force. (Photo: VOV5/Le Chi)

“When my engineering team and I were assigned to develop core technology, we faced challenges that seemed almost impossible to overcome. For me, as a woman, it was even tougher. I had to balance being a mother of two while taking on demanding research work,” said Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang, one of the rare female engineers working in missile research - a field often considered suitable only for men.

Beyond her management role, Hang directly participates in strategic research and production, including the development of missile homing heads.

“There were moments when the pressure felt overwhelming, and I wondered if I could keep going," Hang said. "But then I told myself, if I step back, who will move forward? If I give up, who will continue this work?”

Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang, Director of the C4 Center under the Viettel Aerospace Institute, at her workplace. (Photo: phunuquandoi.vn)

Through perseverance and a “keep going while you still can” spirit, Hang and her colleagues solved complex technological problems that helped shorten production and testing time, saving tens of millions of USD for the defense budget. In 2020, their missile homing head was officially accepted by the Ministry of National Defense - marking the first time Vietnam had successfully researched, designed, and manufactured this key missile component.

“Our products now meet the same quality standards as foreign ones.They carry great political, military, and economic significance, contributing to security and improving the army’s combat readiness,” Hang told VOV.

Over the past eight years, Hang and her team have developed three lines of homing heads and radar for anti-ship missiles with advanced features. Their work strengthens national defense, saves on expenses for the state budget, and lays the foundation for future generations of modern weapons.

In recognition of her achievements, Hang was awarded the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in the Renewal Period” in August this year - a tribute to her years of dedication to Vietnam’s defense modernization.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang works with colleagues at Viettel’s Product Research Center. (Photo: phunuquandoi.vn)

While Lieutenant Colonel Hang represents intelligence and perseverance in defense research, Major Vu Nhat Huong embodies courage and compassion on the international stage. As an assistant at the International Cooperation Section of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, she brought the image of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” to the international community as a peacekeeper in the Central African Republic.

“In November 2021, I was honored to be the seventh female soldier deployed as an individual to the UN Mission in the Central African Republic. I served as Vietnam’s first communications officer there," Huong shared. "I was thrilled to fulfill my dream of wearing the blue beret, but I was also anxious. The Lunar New Year was approaching, the pandemic was still serious, and the country I was heading to had unstable security and difficult living conditions. For women, those challenges are often doubled,” said Huong.

Major Vu Nhat Huong on assignment in the Central African Republic. (Photo: phunuquandoi.vn)

Poor living conditions, harsh weather, and the constant threat of malaria and Ebola made Huong’s early days especially hard.

“Being far from home and family, hearing gunfire at night, and fighting disease during the day, there were times I felt lonely. But I reminded myself that, as I was carrying the mission of the nation and representing the image of Vietnamese women, I had to stay strong to complete the task,” said Huong.

With determination and a strong sense of responsibility, Huong pushed through. Besides her communications duties, Huong joined training drills and explosive disposal operations, while leading volunteer activities to support local communities. She helped run health programs for women, provided sex education for girls, distributed school supplies, and guided residents in production to improve their livelihoods.

“As a female officer, I always try to promote the image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers and the qualities of Vietnamese women to the Mission’s leadership, my international colleagues, and the local community,” she said.

Major Vu Nhat Huong with schoolgirls at Lakouanga School in Bangui, the Central African Republic, on International Women’s Day, March 8. (Photo: phunuquandoi.vn)

After completing her mission, Major Huong was recognized by the United Nations as a Face of Action for Sustainable Development and received multiple honors from the Vietnam People’s Army. Yet for her, the most meaningful reward came from the warm handshakes, trusting eyes, and smiles of local children.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang and Major Vu Nhat Huong are among many Vietnamese women serving in the military. Though they work in different fields, they share the same purpose: to serve their country with talent, intelligence, and courage. Together, they represent the “steel roses” of the Vietnam People’s Army - strong in their duties, gentle in life, and steadfast through every challenge.