Participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations constitutes a pivotal element in the realisation of our Party and State’s foreign policy and defence diplomacy within the broader framework of international integration. With a clear understanding of this strategic mandate, the entire Army have been actively consolidating their core role, undertaking this noble international mission through resolute and comprehensive measures. These efforts have further reinforced Vietnam’s stature, credibility, and sense of responsibility on the global stage, thereby contributing to the creation of a peaceful and stable international environment and firmly safeguarding the Fatherland early and from afar.

Upholding a profound commitment to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, development, and the diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, as well as the overarching orientation towards deep and comprehensive global integration, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence have, in recent years, proactively provided strategic counsel to the Party and the State regarding Vietnam’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Concurrently, they have actively engaged in the selection, training, and deployment of personnel to serve in field operations, at the United Nations Headquarters, and across various missions in accordance with the established roadmap and approved plans. Officers of the Vietnam People’s Army participating in UN peacekeeping missions have consistently fulfilled their duties with distinction as “Blue Beret” soldiers. They have earned high praise from the United Nations, mission commanders, and military officers from partner nations, thereby making a tangible contribution to enhancing the reputation and standing of both Vietnam and the Army within the international community.

Since 2014, Vietnam has deployed a total of 1,065 military personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, both individually and in formed units, across three missions - South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Abyei area - as well as to the UN Headquarters. These deployments have included a broad range of positions, such as senior officers, staff officers, military observers, trainers, logistics specialists, communications officers, and civil-military cooperation officers. Notably, female personnel have accounted for over 16% of total deployments. Despite operating in highly challenging, hazardous, and often volatile environments - particularly in areas affected by conflict and epidemics - Vietnamese peacekeepers have steadfastly adhered to the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the laws of Vietnam. Through their conduct, they have powerfully embodied and shared the noble qualities of the “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” with international colleagues, local communities, and military counterparts around the world. Their service conveys a compelling message of a peace-loving, compassionate, and faithful Vietnam - one that is a trusted friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community. Vietnam remains firmly committed to joining global efforts to address pressing non-traditional security challenges, thereby contributing to peacekeeping, fostering cooperation and development among nations, and enhancing its strategic posture through peaceful means to safeguard the Fatherland early and from afar.

VPA engineering troops build and present house for the locals

At present and in the foreseeable future, the global security and political landscape continues to experience profound shifts. Heightened geopolitical rivalry among major powers, coupled with ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, has deepened divisions between leading nations and significantly impacted global peace and stability. These developments pose increasingly complex and urgent demands on United Nations peacekeeping operations. In order to sustain and further enhance its active engagement in this noble and profoundly humanitarian endeavour, the entire Army remain steadfast in thoroughly internalising the Party’s guidelines on international integration and defence diplomacy. With a clear sense of honour and responsibility, the Army is committed to ensuring thorough preparedness across all dimensions, and to carrying out peacekeeping tasks with resolute and coordinated measures. These efforts will centre on a number of key priorities in the time ahead.

Firstly, it is essential to continue conducting in-depth research, maintaining situational awareness, and providing accurate forecasts regarding regional and global developments, in order to offer timely and strategic advice to the Party and the State concerning United Nations peacekeeping operations. Relevant agencies and units - chief among them the Ministry of National Defence’s Steering Committee on Participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations and the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations - must enhance their capacity to monitor and assess security and political dynamics across regions and the world. This includes close analysis of the flashpoints, armed confrontations, defence and security policies, foreign relations strategies, conflict resolution mechanisms adopted by states, and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Such comprehensive situational understanding will form the basis for strategic counsel submitted to the Central Military Party Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, thereby enabling the Party and the State to devise far-sighted, effective policies on international integration and defence diplomacy - particularly Vietnam’s deepened and broadened participation in United Nations peacekeeping activities.

In parallel, it is imperative to maintain close coordination with central-level committees, ministries, and agencies in preparing detailed plans, roadmaps, and strategies to enable the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence to continue leading and directing Vietnam’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations for the 2025-2030 period. Particular emphasis should be placed on expanding the scope of engagement in terms of fields, geographical deployment areas, force size, and modes of participation - especially in securing command and managerial roles at UN Headquarters and within missions. These efforts should be aligned with Vietnam’s comparative strengths, including areas such as military planning, logistics and engineering support, combat engineering, reconnaissance, military medicine, and specialist advisory services. At the same time, it is essential to conduct thorough research and submit well-founded proposals to the competent authorities regarding the deployment of civilian personnel from central ministries and agencies to partake in this significant international undertaking, ensuring that such participation is consistent with Vietnam’s national conditions and capabilities.

Secondly, communication and educational efforts are intensified to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility among officers and personnel in carrying out United Nations peacekeeping duties. This is a crucial measure and a foundational factor in achieving unified understanding and collective commitment throughout the armed forces towards this noble mission. Accordingly, the leadership and command of all agencies and units must regularly provide education and thorough briefings to ensure that cadres and soldiers fully grasp the Party and State’s policies on international integration and defence diplomacy; the objectives, significance, and strategic importance of participating in peacekeeping operations; as well as the hardships, challenges, and inherent dangers of such missions. This will serve to heighten their awareness, cultivate a deep sense of duty, and build strong determination in carrying out assigned tasks. The communication agenda must be broad, in-depth, and comprehensive, while focusing particularly on the key resolutions, directives, circulars, and guidelines issued by the Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence regarding participation in UN peacekeeping operations. These include, most notably: Resolution No.130/2020/QH14 dated 13 November 2020 by the National Assembly; Decree No.61/2021/NĐ-CP dated 25 June 2021 by the Government, which details the implementation of certain provisions of Resolution No.130/2020/QH14 on participation in UN peacekeeping forces; and Resolution No.2662-NQ/QUTW dated 26 February 2024 by the Central Military Commission on international integration and defence diplomacy.

To ensure the effectiveness of communication and educational efforts, agencies and units must apply a flexible and creative mix of methods and formats. In addition to structured instruction delivered through standard political and legal education programmes, and periodic training, specialised courses, or mission-specific briefings, education should also be integrated into task assignments across departments and reinforced through self-directed learning and internalisation. For personnel directly deployed to United Nations missions, it is essential to equip them with both theoretical foundations and practical knowledge related to peacekeeping operations. This will enable them to effectively communicate with local populations in host countries, clarifying that the mission of the “Blue Berets” aligns with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, and contributes meaningfully to the preservation of regional and global peace. Moreover, there should be a strong emphasis on enhancing their understanding of the host nation’s culture and traditions, as well as broader regional dynamics. This must be complemented by thorough preparation on the role, responsibilities, and capabilities of the Vietnam People’s Army within the context of peacekeeping operations, thereby fostering cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and national representation on the international stage.

Thirdly, it is essential to maintain and further improve the organisation and development of peacekeeping forces; enhance the quality of training; and ensure adequate infrastructure, equipment, and logistics in line with United Nations requirements. Core agencies and units - chiefly the Ministry of National Defence’s Steering Committee for Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations - must take the initiative in drafting organisational structures and staffing tables for peacekeeping units in accordance with UN standards. These must be submitted to the competent authorities for approval and kept ready for adjustment based on the specific needs of each mission. Plans for force deployment should emphasise versatility, with arrangements for personnel rotation, succession planning, and long-term development. Priority must be placed on early identification and selection of qualified personnel, focusing on officers with strong political integrity, high levels of discipline, professional military expertise, command experience, staff college graduation, and strong foreign language proficiency. Special attention should be given to preparing candidates for high-level secondment positions at the United Nations Headquarters and command roles within field missions.

To further enhance the quality of training for personnel assigned to United Nations peacekeeping missions, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence must continue to lead and direct efforts to strengthen investment in the development of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations’ Training Centre. The objective is to make it become one of the region’s leading international training hubs. Training should be implemented through the tripartite partnership model, equipping officers and staff with the full range of knowledge, skills, and competencies required for peacekeeping duties. It is also essential to direct research into integrating core content related to United Nations peacekeeping, international law, humanitarian law, traditions, host-country regulations, and Vietnamese legislation into the curricula of military academies. Close cooperation with international partners must be maintained, with personnel regularly sent to participate in relevant workshops, training programmes, and advanced courses - particularly those focused on individual deployments. These efforts will ensure that Vietnamese officers and specialists possess strong political resolve, fluency in foreign languages, proficiency in information technology, and expert professional capabilities, enabling them to adapt swiftly and perform effectively in complex multinational environments.

In parallel, there must be a concerted focus on preparing the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and means of transport. A context-appropriate and task-specific approach is required in the mobilisation, allocation, and procurement of equipment, tailored to each mission and phase of deployment. Priority should be given to essential tasks and strategically important areas. Efforts should be made to make full use of existing equipment within the armed forces by reallocating and repurposing available resources to maximise operational efficiency and minimise budgetary expenditure. Additionally, it is necessary to actively seek and mobilise assistance and aid from international partners to bolster logistical readiness, enhance mission support, and facilitate the transport of personnel and matériel to areas of operation.

Fourthly, continued efforts are required to refine and strengthen the legal framework governing Vietnam’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Vietnam’s involvement in peacekeeping is the outcome of a long-term, meticulous, and comprehensive preparation process, encompassing legal infrastructure, force readiness, and logistical capability. In keeping with its unwavering commitment to the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the country has issued a range of resolutions, directives, and circulars to regulate this field. Nevertheless, peacekeeping remains a relatively new undertaking for Vietnam - one that is inherently complex, hazardous, and fraught with potential risks. In the course of implementation, several legal ambiguities and institutional shortcomings have emerged, particularly in relation to the legal foundations of peacekeeping operations. It is therefore essential for key agencies - especially the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations - to work closely with the Legal Department of the Ministry of National Defence and relevant central-level ministries and agencies to advise the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence in proposing to the Party, the State, and the National Assembly the necessary adjustments, supplements, and enhancements to the body of legal documents regulating peacekeeping activities. These revisions must align with international norms, treaties, and agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory. In the immediate term, focus should be placed on drafting and enacting the Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, ensuring it reflects current realities and operational needs. The Ministry of National Defence must also continue reviewing and issuing circulars and guidelines covering mechanisms for force formation, deployment planning, training, equipment procurement, resource management, logistics, technical support, and personnel policies. These measures will help establish a robust and comprehensive legal corridor to effectively guide and support the deployment and operation of peacekeeping forces.

Finally, it is required to strengthen international cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. In light of the prevailing global trend towards deep and multidimensional integration across political, economic, defence, and security spheres, steadfastly pursuing a strategy of international integration and defence diplomacy - mobilising external resources to strengthen national defence and safeguard the Fatherland at an early stage and from afar by peaceful means - remains a consistent and strategic policy of our Party and State. Accordingly, the Vietnam People’s Army will continue to implement defence diplomacy effectively, fostering cooperation with countries and peace-oriented regional and international organisations at both bilateral and multilateral levels. This is vital for harnessing the support of the international community in preparing and deploying Vietnamese peacekeeping forces. Efforts should also be stepped up in diplomatic engagement with the United Nations to advocate for the deployment of Vietnamese units to suitable missions, and to secure allocations and priorities for high-ranking and command officer positions in field missions. Furthermore, Vietnam calls upon the United Nations and international partners to provide support in the form of equipment, military hardware, financial investment, infrastructure development, and foreign language training. These forms of assistance will enable Vietnamese peacekeeping forces to exchange experience, access cutting-edge military science, and improve their overall operational capabilities, thus meeting all requirements set forth by the United Nations for peacekeeping duties.

With a profound sense of honour and responsibility, the armed forces will continue to maintain and expand their active, effective participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. In doing so, they will remain worthy of the trust placed in them by the Party, the State, and the people - contributing tangibly to the enhancement of Vietnam’s international standing and firmly defending the Fatherland “early and from afar” through peaceful means.

Senior Lieutenant General PHUNG SI TAN

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army