Vietnam's first female officer to join UN peacekeeping mission

Major Do Thi Hang Nga of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre under the Ministry of National Defence has become the country’s first female officer to join the UN (United Nations) peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The Ministry of National Defense granted a decision of the State President for the first female official to UN peacekeeping missions on October 30. The move aims to realize the policy on gender equality, which is one of the UN millennium development goals.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (L) hands over to Major Do Thi Hang Nga a decision sending her to UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (L) hands over to Major Do Thi Hang Nga a decision sending her to UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan

Accordingly, Major Do Thi Hang Nga was assigned to begin working as a staff officer in charge of overseeing military operations for 12 months from October 29. Before embarking on the task, Nga partook in various training courses in Sri Lanka, China, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said that the dispatch of a female officer to the UN peacekeeping mission shows gender equality and affirms the role of women in global activities.

Deputy Minister Vinh asked Nga to try her best and well coordinate with colleagues in order to promptly be in tune with the job, improve her knowledge and competence, strictly abide by the UN and mission’s regulations and ensure safety while being on duty. 

Colonel Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre, said Vietnam is making preparation for launching the second-level field hospital in South Sudan with a total of 70 staff, including female officers.

"The UN has encouraged Vietnam to send more female officers in order to increase the numbers of female staff in UN peace keeping missions. Vietnam’s dispatch of the first female officer and plan to send 9 more to second-field hospital in South Sudan show the country’s active participation in UN peace keeping activities," Phung said, adding that Vietnam has sent 20 officers on missions to Central Africa and South Sudan.

Specific nature of the job has created an apparent gender imbalance within the U.N. Peacekeeping Forces around the world. The UN passed a resolution in 2000 in an attempt to resolve the gender equality issue. However, as of January 2016, women still constitute only 4.8 percent of 107,000 U.N. peacekeepers across the world.

The UN aims to increase the proportion of female soldiers engaged in the peacekeeping operations up to 35 percent while the current ratio is sitting at 8 to 10 percent.

    By Phung Nguyen

    Other News

    Party General Secretary and President meets Vietnamese community in New Zealand

    Party General Secretary and President meets Vietnamese community in New Zealand

    General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam described overseas Vietnamese as “ambassadors” who help promote Vietnam's positive image internationally, and urged them to maintain solidarity, preserve national pride and cultural traditions, and make practical contributions to the country's development.

    Vietnamese Party leader attends funeral service for top Lao legislator

    Vietnamese Party leader attends funeral service for top Lao legislator

    The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.

    Singapore remains one of Vietnam's leading important partners: PM

    Singapore remains one of Vietnam's leading important partners: PM

    Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.

    Vietnam, Australia hold 8th Foreign Ministers' Meeting

    Vietnam, Australia hold 8th Foreign Ministers' Meeting

    Australia attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and highly values the substantive progress in bilateral relations, said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.

    Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh urged to embrace modern urban governance

    Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh urged to embrace modern urban governance

    According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.

    Laos holds State funeral for National Assembly President

    Laos holds State funeral for National Assembly President

    Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a capable revolutionary intellectual with broad knowledge and a strategic vision. Throughout his career, he remained committed to the Party's ideals and objectives, and demonstrated responsibility, flexibility and discipline in carrying out his assigned tasks.

    Prime Minister receives outgoing Israeli Ambassador

    Prime Minister receives outgoing Israeli Ambassador

    Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.

    Party General Secretary and President To Lam, Australian Prime Minister meet the press

    Party General Secretary and President To Lam, Australian Prime Minister meet the press

    Vietnam and Australia will step up cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, digital technology, cybersecurity, green technology and emerging technologies, while supporting each other in enhancing capacity to participate more deeply in regional and global supply chains. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in education and training and people-to-people exchanges.

    Top Vietnamese leader holds talks with Australian PM

    Top Vietnamese leader holds talks with Australian PM

    PM Albanese welcomed General Secretary and President Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on their state visit to Australia, stressing its signficance amid the rapidly growing ties, particularly since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.

    Top leader meets with Australian Senate President, House Speaker

    Top leader meets with Australian Senate President, House Speaker

    Welcoming General Secretary and President Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation, the Australian parliamentary leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s development achievements and expressed their admiration for the dynamism and creativity of the country and its people, particularly young Vietnamese. They said this energy and determination reflected Vietnam’s strong resolve and aspiration to build a prosperous and powerful nation.

    Vietnamese top legislator pays tribute to Lao NA President

    Vietnamese top legislator pays tribute to Lao NA President

    Writing in the book of condolences, the Vietnamese leader expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, describing it as a great loss to the Lao Party, State, NA and people, as well as to Vietnam, which had lost a great friend and loyal comrade who made important contributions to strengthening and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.