Authors: Vu Thinh Hung and Thao Hoang
Viet Nam Defence Delegation meeting with Canadian Forces Health Services. Photo: UN Women/Vu Thinh Hung
Ottawa, Canada — Eight distinguished female officers from the Ministry of National Defence (MOND) of Viet Nam completed the first-ever study visit to Canada from 25 October to 1 November 2025, reinforcing Viet Nam’s commitment to advancing the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda in the defence sector.
The visit was jointly organized by UN Women Viet Nam as part of a project funded by Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Programme (MTCP), supporting the implementation of Viet Nam’s first National Action Plan on WPS (2024–2030). It aimed to strengthen gender mainstreaming and women’s leadership within the Viet Nam People’s Army.
Hosted by Canada’s Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation (DMTC), the programme featured engagements with the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, including Global Affairs Canada. The delegation exchanged best practices in integrating gender perspectives into defence policy, promoting inclusive military culture, and advancing women’s participation in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Highlights included participation in the Women, Peace and Security 2025 Conference hosted by DND and the Canadian Armed Forces in Ottawa, marking the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325. The event convened defence leaders and experts from over 20 countries to share strategies for translating WPS commitments into action.
Viet Nam Defence Delegation at the Ottawa WPS Conference 2025, alongside Mary Simon, Governor-General of Canada (fifth from right). Photo: UN Women/Nguyen Huy Chung
Senior Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Director of MOND’s Military Women’s Union, represented Viet Nam on a panel about international approaches to WPS, alongside counterparts from Japan and the Philippines.
Senior Colonel Hien emphasized Viet Nam’s priorities during the discussions: “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.”
Senior Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hien (middle in green uniform) in a panel on international approaches to WPS. Photo: UN Women/Vu Thinh Hung
“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,” said Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Country Representative in Viet Nam. “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”
Jim Nickel, Ambassador of Canada to Viet Nam, added: “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 visit also featured a dialogue on women leaders in the armed forces, to reflect on leadership between Canadian and Vietnamese officers, and a roundtable on Canada’s National Action Plan on WPS, moderated by former WPS Ambassador Jacqueline O’Neill.
The visit fostered mutual understanding and knowledge-exchange among MOND, DND and UN Women. By sharing experiences and strengthening collaboration, the initiative contributes to a more inclusive and effective defence sector – one where women’s leadership is recognized as essential to peace and security.