Under a decision signed by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, the Vietnamese rescue contingent received the First-Class Hero of Venezuela Medal, while 124 members of the mission were awarded the Second-Class Hero of Venezuela Medal.

The Hero of Venezuela Medal is one of the country's highest government honors, presented to recognize courage, dedication and heroism. Venezuelan authorities said the awards acknowledged the commitment of Vietnam's rescue personnel, who risked their own safety to deliver humanitarian assistance and support disaster response efforts.

On July 6 (local time), representatives of the Venezuelan government formally presented the medals to the Vietnamese delegation and its members.

To date, the Vietnamese team has recovered dozens of victims from collapsed structures and handed the bodies over to local authorities, helping bring closure to grieving families. In addition to search-and-recovery operations, team members have provided free medical examinations and medication, distributed relief supplies and assisted residents in moving personal belongings.

Earlier, on July 3, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited the Vietnamese team's operational base to express her appreciation and personally present a letter of thanks.

During the visit, she also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal to the team's search-and-rescue dogs in recognition of their outstanding contribution to earthquake response operations.

Among them, the rescue dog Xu Kip was chosen to receive the medal on behalf of the canine unit. Xu Kip previously took part in search-and-rescue operations in Nu Village in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

Three other rescue dogs had earlier participated in disaster response missions following major earthquakes in Türkiye in 2023 and Myanmar in 2025.

On July 5, members of the Vietnamese rescue mission laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Monument, offered incense at an altar dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh at the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela, and met with embassy staff.

Throughout the mission, members of the Vietnamese community in Venezuela, officials from Vietnam's representative agencies and relatives also visited the team to offer encouragement and support.

Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Rescue and Salvage Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and head of the Vietnamese delegation, expressed gratitude for the timely support shown by the overseas Vietnamese community.

He said the team had remained disciplined, focused and committed to its mission despite difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, maintaining its determination to successfully carry out the international humanitarian mission entrusted by Vietnam's Party, State and military.

Tran Thuong