A draft law on Vietnam's participation in UN peacekeeping operations proposes that civilian officials from ministries, agencies, and localities be eligible for deployment alongside military and police personnel.

Expanding Vietnam’s peacekeeping force

On March 14, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly discussed the draft Law on Participation in UN Peacekeeping Forces and the draft Law on State of Emergency.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, presented the summary of the draft law, which outlines:

Principles, objectives, and operational scope of Vietnam’s UN peacekeeping missions.

Deployment procedures, resources, and policy frameworks for peacekeeping forces.

International cooperation in peacekeeping operations.

Roles and responsibilities of government agencies and organizations.

Who can join Vietnam’s UN peacekeeping forces?

The draft law applies to:

Military personnel: Officers, professional soldiers, defense workers, and enlisted personnel from the Ministry of National Defense.

Police personnel: Officers, specialists, technical staff, and enlisted personnel from the Ministry of Public Security.

Civilians: Government officials and civil servants assigned to peacekeeping missions.

Vietnamese peacekeeping personnel will serve in fields such as:

Military and logistical support (engineering, infantry, reconnaissance, military medicine, transport, and communications).

Election monitoring, legal advisory, and civil affairs.

Other roles as requested by the UN and approved by Vietnam’s National Defense and Security Council (for armed forces) or the Prime Minister (for civilian personnel).

Notably, the draft law specifies that civilian experts, officials, and public servants may be recruited from Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and local governments to participate in UN peacekeeping missions.

The Ministries of National Defense and Public Security will establish eligibility criteria for their personnel based on UN requirements.

Debate over civilian participation and uniforms

During a review session, Le Tan Toi, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on National Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs, suggested assigning a single lead agency to coordinate recruitment across different government sectors.

There was also debate over which government entity should regulate the uniforms of civilian peacekeepers, as Vietnam has never previously deployed civilian personnel in UN missions.

Draft law on state of emergency: A first for Vietnam

Also on March 14, General Nguyen Tan Cuong presented the draft Law on State of Emergency, addressing Vietnam’s legal framework for crisis response.

Since the introduction of the Ordinance on State of Emergency, Vietnam has never officially declared a state of emergency. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government implemented emergency-like measures without an official declaration.

Strengthening Vietnam’s emergency response capabilities

General Cuong noted that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed legal and procedural gaps in emergency governance, particularly regarding the powers of the Prime Minister and government agencies.

He emphasized that Vietnam faces increasing risks, including:

Geopolitical shifts leading to more complex global conflicts.

Natural disasters and climate change, with Vietnam ranking among the top five countries most affected.

More frequent and severe epidemics.

Hostile forces seeking to undermine national stability.

The draft law proposes that:

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly will declare a national or regional state of emergency upon the Prime Minister’s request.

Based on the National Assembly’s decision, the President of Vietnam will officially announce the emergency declaration.

If the National Assembly cannot convene, the President may directly declare a state of emergency based on the Prime Minister’s recommendation.

Both draft laws are expected to be presented to the National Assembly at its 9th session.

Tran Thuong