The Ministry of National Defence on March 27 in Hanoi held a ceremony to present decisions of the State President and the Minister of National Defence assigning two officers to missions at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Abyei (UNISFA) and the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Linh was assigned to serve as a Joint Military Operations Officer (SO JMOC) at UNISFA in the Abyei area, a position the United Nations has for the first time invited Vietnam to take part in, indicating its trust in the country’s peacekeeping forces. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thai Son was assigned as an Advisory and Training Coordination Officer at the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic.

Prior to the assignment, Nguyen Ngoc Linh was a lecturer in military topography at the Army Officer Training School No.1, one of the leading training institutions of the Vietnam People’s Army. Tran Thai Son served as Chief of Staff at the Border Guard Command of Vung Ang-Son Duong port border gate in Ha Tinh province under Military Region 4, and had previously served at the MINUSCA mission in the Central African Republic during the 2023-2024 term.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defence, hailed efforts in selecting and training personnel for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

He said the deployment of officers to international missions continues to affirm Vietnam’s credibility, responsibility and role, and urged the officers to ensure safety, quickly grasp the situation on the ground and fulfil their assigned duties.

The officers were also asked to proactively follow mission activities and provide timely information as a basis for reporting and recommendations, while demonstrating professionalism and capability in an international environment.

The Ministry also asked the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations to ensure all necessary conditions and policies for the officers before departure, while carrying out support for military families and maintaining the effectiveness of deployed forces at missions.

On behalf of the two officers, Nguyen Ngoc Linh expressed honour and pride at being entrusted with the mission and affirmed determination to fulfil the assignment, helping spread the image of a peace-loving Vietnam to the international community.

According to the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, both officers were carefully selected, with strong political resolve, professional competence and practical experience, meeting all requirements of the United Nations and the European Union.

To date, Vietnam has deployed more than 1,300 personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions and agencies. The continued deployment demonstrates Vietnam’s proactive and responsible role in activities for international peace and stability, and affirms the steady and professional development of its peacekeeping forces in the process of deeper international integration.

Vietnamese peacekeeping force leave on duty at UNISFA

VOV.VN - Vietnamese peacekeeping forces, including the Military Engineering Unit No.1 and the Level-2 Field Hospital No.4, held a departure ceremony on April 27 at Noi Bai International Airport ahead of their work at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) mission.