Vietnam’s first-ever female UN peacekeeper in South Sudan

Lieutenant Colonel Do Thi Hang Nga. (Photo: Ngoc Anh/VOVWorld)

(VOVWORLD) - Lieutenant Colonel Do Thi Hang Nga was Vietnam’s first female officer to join the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. At the end of her term, she was awarded the United Nations Medal for her “outstanding, truly exceptional, and rare performance.”

On October 30, 2017, the State President assigned Nga to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan for 12 months, making her Vietnam’s first female officer to join the UN peacekeeping force.

“During my term there, I worked at the headquarters of the UN Mission in South Sudan in Juba, which is responsible for supervising military operations in South Sudan. Sometimes we had no time to relax. The peacekeeping role doesn’t distinguish between female and male officers,” Nga recalled.

Whenever Nga had free time, she visited local people to learn about their lives, helped children with their personal hygiene and taught mothers how to take care of their children and prevent epidemics.

During her time in South Sudan, Nga made a strong impression on international friends.

“African people, especially people in South Sudan, have a good feeling about Vietnam’s UN peacekeeping force. We served as ambassadors to introduce Vietnam to South Sudanese. When I returned after a short break in Vietnam, the local people warmly welcomed me, which moved me. That’s the reason why I want to come back to South Sudan,” she said.

Next April, Lieutenant Colonel Do Thi Hang Nga will receive a new posting to South Sudan as deputy head of Level-2 Field Hospital No.4. 

“Nga has shared with us her experience working for the UN peacekeeping force. We feel more confident having her involved in our upcoming trip to South Sudan,” said Major Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai, who will accompany Nga in the new mission.