26-year-old Vietnamese girl and 72-year-old American CEO in a controversial and luxurious wedding
	Russia ramps up imports of Vietnamese peppers
	Vietnamese 3 centimeters taller on average over the last 10 years

Major Dong will take on his task from January 3, Major General Hoang Kim Phung, director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said at the Summary Conference on Vietnam participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations period 2012-2020.

Major Dong worked as a military observer at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) from late 2018 to late 2019.

Previously, at the Defense Command Conference of the European Union (EU) countries in August 2018, the EU officially invited Vietnam to send staff to join the mobile training team at some of the peacekeeping operations and training mission of the EU in Central Africa, Somalia, Mali or in some European countries.

Việt Nam assumed the role of the Chair of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centres (AAPTC) in 2020 from Thailand during its annual general meeting and workshop in Bangkok. — VNA/VNS Photo

In June 2018, the United Nations recognized the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations as one of the four International Training Centers in the region to launch training under the Tripartite Partnership Program. During the three years of 2018, 2019, and 2020, Vietnam hosted three training courses for many international and domestic officers on the operation of heavy engineering equipment.

"The selection of Vietnam as the training site for the United Nations Peacekeeping forces of countries in Southeast Asia shows the UN's appreciation for the results of the peacekeeping operation that Vietnam has achieved ", he highlighted.

In 2020, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department also had three officers who passed the tests to become employees at the United Nations policy-making agency in New York headquarters (USA); military coordination officer of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission and the Army of the Central African Republic in Central Africa.

The advance mission of Vietnam talks with with the staff of the UK L2FH in Juba.. Photo: People's Army Newspaper.

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region agreed to nominate Vietnam to be the Chair of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centres (AAPTC) in 2020 for the term 2020-2021. The ASEAN Peacekeeping Centers Network (APCN) also selected Vietnam as the president of the APCN.

"In near future, besides maintaining the Level-2 Field Hospital (L2FH) at the South Sudan Mission and the current personal positions, we will study the possibility of expanding other forms such as the Military Police, the Infantry and the army security guard, transport helicopters; expand personal positions at the missions; continue to send officers who passed the Mission to apply for Command positions at the missions and at offices of United Nations ", Major General Hoang Kim Phung revealed.

Colonel Mac Duc Trong, one of the first two officers being on duty at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan in 2014, said: "In some tension areas, normally we are only greeted by a series of bullets, with hateful eyes and tension. However, when being in close contact, they see the Vietnamese word on our clothes, their behaviors immediately changed and expressed their respect because they knew about the Uncle Ho soldiers who were steadfast in their struggle to liberate the nation.".

Maj. Gen. Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnamese Peacekeeping Department, gave a summary report on Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations for the period 2012-2020. Picture: Hoang Thuy

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh concluded that achievements of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force in recent years are thanks to the country's position, international support and cooperation, especially the qualifications, capabilities and qualities of the officers in the locality.

"We participate in the peacekeeping of the United Nations in order to enhance the country's status. Over the next five years, we aim to lead the ASEAN region in regional peacekeeping, establishing a high capacity center to preserve peace, strengthen multilateral relations ", said he.

Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Assistant Director of the Vietnamese Peacekeeping Service (first from left) – one of the first two serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. Picture: Hoang Thuy

He directed the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department to increase coverage, which means to increase the number of countries sending troops to participate in peacekeeping and increasing domestic reserve teams; to consider cooperation with the EU a new direction, and to add officers to the strategic and commanding agency of the United Nations.

Over 32 million Vietnamese labourers affected by COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has affected an estimated 32.1 million Vietnamese people aged 15 or above, forcing them either lose their jobs or having ...

Safety for Vietnamese crew members working on South Korean seized tanker in Persian Gulf Hankuk Chemi, used to carry oil products and chemicals, was said to be seized in the Persian Gulf on its way to the United Arab ...

Vietnamese American soccer star Lee Nguyen back to Vietnam, becoming the most expensive player in the V-League 2021 Early this morning (Vietnam time), Vietnamese American football star Lee Nguyen took a flight back to Vietnam to wear Ho Chi Minh City club's shirt ...