The Ministry of National Defence on March 27 held a ceremony to hand over presidential decisions assigning Vietnamese officers to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations and a European Union training mission, marking another step in Vietnam’s expanding international role.

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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defense, presented appointment decisions to two officers. Photo: Minh Nhat.

Under decisions by the President and the Minister of National Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Linh and Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thai Son have been deployed to overseas missions.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Linh will serve as a Military Operations Officer at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). This is a newly offered position to Vietnam, reflecting the United Nations’ growing trust in the country’s peacekeeping capabilities.

Nguyen Ngoc Linh previously worked as a lecturer in military topography at the Army Officer Training School No.1.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thai Son has been assigned as a Training Advisory and Coordination Officer at the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic.

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Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, delivered remarks. Photo: Minh Nhat.

Tran Thai Son formerly served as Chief of Staff at the Vung Ang - Son Duong Port Border Guard Command in Ha Tinh province under Military Region 4. He also gained field experience during his previous deployment to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for the 2023-2024 term.

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said both officers were carefully selected. They possess strong political credentials, solid professional expertise, and extensive practical experience, having undergone training in multiple international environments and meeting all standards set by the United Nations and the EU.

On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defence, congratulated the two officers and commended relevant units for their efforts in building and preparing a capable peacekeeping force.

He emphasized that Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations continues to enhance the country’s international standing. The repeated invitations from the United Nations and the European Union for Vietnam to fill important roles at their missions demonstrate recognition of its contributions.

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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang delivered remarks assigning tasks. Photo: Minh Nhat.

The Deputy Minister urged the officers to ensure thorough preparation in terms of health, mindset, and family arrangements before deployment. He called on them to quickly grasp local conditions, perform their duties effectively from the outset, and maintain a spirit of self-reliance and adaptability while working far from home.

They were also encouraged to actively learn from international colleagues, confidently demonstrate their professional competence, and help promote the image of Vietnam, its people, and the traditions of the Vietnam People’s Army to host nations and global partners.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang expressed confidence that, through unity and determination, both officers would successfully fulfill the tasks entrusted to them by the Party, the State, and the military.

Tran Thuong