To implement the Party and the State’s policy, the Vietnam People’s Army has deployed forces to participate in UN peacekeeping operations. With high responsibility and practical actions, military units have continuously exemplified the noble qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers”, presenting a beautiful image of Vietnam to international friends, thus enhancing international solidarity and support for our country. However, there is still a need to refute existing distorted arguments aimed at denying the significance of the Army’s involvement in UN peacekeeping operations.

Defence diplomacy is one of the pivotal policies and tasks in the foreign affairs of our Party and State that contributes significantly to Homeland protection early and from afar. Implementing this policy, since June 2014, the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has deployed forces to participate in UN peacekeeping operations in different fields, including consultancy, health, and engineering, both individually and in units, in missions in South Sudan, the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the UNISFA mission in Abyei, and at the UN headquarters in the United States.

The image of “blue beret” soldiers of the VPA in UN peacekeeping operations missions represents the responsibility and goodwill of Vietnam - a nation that deeply understands the pains of war and wishes to contribute to the maintenance of peace. It also signifies the expression of gratitude and appreciation to the progressive international community that supported Vietnam in its national liberation struggles in the past. The significant contributions of Vietnamese “blue beret” forces are acknowledged and highly valued by the international community, especially by the people of the host countries. This deep respect has helped to enhance the VPA’s spirit of international solidarity and the noble qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in the new era.

However, hostile and reactionary forces have made efforts to distort and undermine the importance of the VPA’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations. They argue that the VPA’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations is inappropriate and brings no benefit to the country. Moreover, they claim that it incurs budgetary expenses and poses risks to the armed forces. Some even proclaim that participating in peacekeeping operations means joining a military alliance and invading other countries. It should be affirmed that these arguments are completely erroneous and distort the nature of the VPA’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations. These distorted arguments aim at undermining the foreign policy of our Party, State, and Army, damaging the image of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers”, mispresenting the noble essence and good traditions of the VPA, and eroding the credibility of Vietnam within the international community. Furthermore, they create doubt, insecurity, and a lack of responsibility among several people, affecting the emotions and feelings of the family members and relatives of military personnel participating in UN peacekeeping operations.

Vietnam military personnel receive medals for their contribution to UN peacekeeping operations

Theoretically and practically, the VPA’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations has affirmed itself as an appropriate policy of the Party and State, helping to enhance Vietnam’s position and prestige on the international stage, with the evidence as follows:

Following the well-researched, planned, and detailed policies, Vietnam has cautiously participated in UN peacekeeping operations in stages based on its ability to deploy forces, minimise risks and costs. Regarding legal preparation, Vietnam has sent interdisciplinary working groups to research and survey at the UN headquarters and UN peacekeeping agencies. Consequently, Vietnam has formulated policies and legal regulations for implementation. Article 89 of the 2013 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam stipulates: “…The National Defence and Security Council decides on the participation of the people’s armed forces in activities to protect peace in Vietnam, the region, and the world”. Besides, at its 10^th session, the 14^th National Assembly adopted Resolution No. 130/2020/QH14 on participation in UN peacekeeping operations. This reflects the will and aspiration of the whole Party, the people, and the Army and demonstrates the tradition of peace-loving and a sense of responsibility to the world. On that basis, an Interdisciplinary Working Group and a Steering Committee were established by the Government and the Ministry of National Defence, respectively, which directed the establishment of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre (today the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department) in 2014, which is responsible for carrying out the mission of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Therefore, this participation reflects the consistent policy of our Party and State with a clear roadmap and a specific plan suitable to the fields where Vietnam has the conditions, capacity, and resources for successful implementation. In addition, the deployment of peacekeeping forces is carried out in accordance with the Resolution of the UN Security Council, placed under the command and direction of the UN. According to the Resolution, member countries have an obligation and responsibility to contribute to peacekeeping operations, which are guaranteed and supported by the UN and receive international support. As a result, the State budget’s expenses for this operation are significantly reduced. Therefore, arguments claiming that Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations incurs budgetary expenses and poses risks to the armed forces are entirely misleading and erroneous.

Vietnam has consistently acted as an active and responsible member of the international community in the process of international integration. Therefore, its participation in UN peacekeeping, humanitarian, and international security maintenance activities has affirmed Vietnam’s high international obligations and responsibilities. Vietnam’s forces participating in UN peacekeeping operations are solely focused on activities for peace, humanitarianism, and reconstruction, contributing to building peace in countries and regions, including South Sudan, the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and the UNISFA mission in Abyei, which are facing significant challenges due to civil wars and constant famine. In addition to fulfilling the international obligation, Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations shows our commitment to implementing an open, diversified, and multilateral foreign policy in the international relations of the Party and the State of Vietnam. Furthermore, it enhances Vietnam’s capability to respond to non-traditional security challenges, improves Vietnam’s image and status on the international stage, and fosters international solidarity and support for Vietnam, the VPA, and the Vietnamese people. Consequently, arguments claiming that Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations is “a fool for one’s pains” are biased and distorted, mainly used for subversive plots.

Vietnam consistently adheres to its foreign policy and principles, which include non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and a commitment to respecting the principle of non-use of force in international relations as stated in the 2019 Vietnam’s National Defence White Paper: “Vietnam consistently advocates neither joining any military alliances, siding with one country against another, giving any other countries permission to set up military bases or use its territory to carry out military activities against other countries nor using force or threatening to use force in international relations”. Vietnam, having experienced as a victim of invasion and understanding the devastating consequences and suffering of war, places a high value on peace and complies with international principles. Hence, the activities of Vietnam’s “blue beret” soldiers in fulfilling their UN peacekeeping missions are entirely consistent with the regulations of the UN and Vietnamese law.

Practice has shown that since its official participation in UN peacekeeping operations, the VPA has made significant and effective contributions in various fields. One of the most important contributions of the VPA is the active participation in reconstruction, peace maintenance, and humanitarian support missions. The VPA has deployed field hospitals and engineering teams to actively participate in UN missions aimed at addressing the consequences of conflicts and wars and maintaining peace in different regions in Africa where there are challenges and instability. The VPA’s medical units have implemented numerous humanitarian health and disaster relief programmes as well as programmes to provide help and support for people in impoverished rural areas and orphaned and disabled children. Besides, they participate in community development projects for indigenous people, helping to reduce poverty, improve living conditions, and build a more peaceful and equitable world. The contributions of Vietnam’s “blue beret” soldiers have been recognised and highly appreciated by the UN, serving as an “exemplary model” for other countries. This fact refutes all baseless and unscientific arguments made by hostile forces aimed at undermining the credibility of the VPA and distorting the foreign defence policy of our Party and State.

In the current international context, the participation of the VPA in UN peacekeeping forces not only promotes and strengthens defence cooperation between Vietnam and other countries but also makes effective and practical contributions to regional and international peace and security. This helps to enhance the country’s position and reputation, affirming that Vietnam is a responsible nation and that the Vietnamese people advocate peace while recognising the high aspirations of people worldwide to live in a peaceful, stable, safe, and prosperous environment. Furthermore, this participation serves as a means to refute misconceptions or intentional distortions of the Party’s and the State’s foreign policy as well as the national defence policy.

NGUYEN VAN NGUYEN, Technology Centre for Bomb and Mine Disposal, Engineering Corps