A group of eight senior female officers from Viet Nam’s Ministry of National Defence (MOND) has completed its first official study visit to Canada. The trip marks a significant step in Viet Nam’s work to move forward the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda within its defence institutions.
The study visit was coordinated by UN Women Viet Nam under a project funded by Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Programme (MTCP), which supports the delivery of Viet Nam’s inaugural National Action Plan on WPS for 2024–2030. The initiative aims to encourage stronger gender integration across the Viet Nam People’s Army and to help expand opportunities for women in defence leadership roles.
Canada’s Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation (DMTC) hosted the delegation, arranging meetings with the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Armed Forces, and several government bodies, including Global Affairs Canada. Throughout the programme, officials exchanged insights on embedding gender considerations into military policy, shaping inclusive defence environments, and strengthening women’s involvement in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response activities.
A major part of the visit included attending the Women, Peace and Security 2025 Conference in Ottawa, organised by DND and the Canadian Armed Forces. The event marked the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325 and brought together military leaders and specialists from more than 20 nations to explore practical approaches for turning WPS pledges into measurable progress.
Senior Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Director of MOND’s Military Women’s Union, took part in a panel discussion on global WPS approaches, joining representatives from Japan and the Philippines. During the session, she highlighted Viet Nam’s key areas of focus, stating: “Promoting Women, Peace and Security is not only about ensuring women’s rights and opportunities, but also about building a robust, modern, all-people and people-centred defence.”
Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Country Representative in Viet Nam, said the mission reflects growing momentum within the country’s defence sector: “This mission demonstrates Viet Nam’s growing attention to empowering women leaders in the armed forces and its dedication to pursue an inclusive new era of the nation’s rise. UN Women is proud to work with Canada and the Ministry of National Defence to advance the WPS agenda, ensuring that women’s voices and leadership shape efforts to global peace and security.”
Canada’s Ambassador to Viet Nam, Jim Nickel, also commented on the significance of the visit: “Canada was proud to welcome female officers from the Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam to the Women, Peace and Security 2025 Conference in Ottawa, which marked 25 years since UN Security Council resolution 1325. The Conference reflected Canada’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the WPS agenda. Defence leaders and experts from over 20 countries — including our partners from Viet Nam — participated and discussed how the principles that underpin WPS remain so important after 25 years. Canada will continue to champion these efforts globally, because inclusive security is stronger security.”
The delegation additionally joined a dialogue on leadership between Canadian and Vietnamese officers, focusing on women serving in defence roles, as well as a roundtable on Canada’s National Action Plan on WPS, led by former WPS Ambassador Jacqueline O’Neill.
Officials said the visit contributed to deeper cooperation and shared learning among MOND, DND, and UN Women. By exchanging experience and reinforcing collaboration, the initiative aims to support a more effective and inclusive defence sector in which women’s leadership is recognised as central to achieving lasting peace and security.
