Australia’s Defence Attaché to Vietnam, Colonel Nerolie McDonald, senior representatives from the Vietnam People's Army and participants of the English classes at Military Hospital 175. Photo: Australian Embassy

The course was marked by a ceremony attended by Australia’s Defence Attaché to Vietnam, Colonel Nerolie McDonald, and senior representatives from the Vietnam People's Army, including Major General Nguyen Hong Son, Director Military Hospital 175, and Senior Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, Deputy Director Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Since 2011, Australia has helped Vietnam with English language teaching and shared its peacekeeping experience with the Vietnamese side.

Now in its third iteration, the classes are funded through Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program and will prepare students to meet the UN’s language requirements for medical personnel.

Participants of the Australian Defence-sponsored English classes at Military Hospital 175. Photo: Australian Embassy

Vietnam’s hospital No. 1, which has provided treatment for more than 1,100 patients in the African country, has been applauded by the international community for its professionalism and capacity.

Australia helped Vietnam deploy on its first UN mission to South Sudan on October 1, 2018.

Australia will continue to send aircraft to fly officers of Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital No. 1 in South Sudan back home and carry those of the Level-2 Field Hospital No. 2 from Vietnam to the mission in November./.